BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13450, 29 May 1907, Page 8

BILLIARDS.

STEVENSON ,Y. FORD. • •;; Three 'was a »very:' large gathering, • including several ladies, at: the Royal! Albert • Hall: last '<. evening,-, to- wit-: ness an exposition of 'billiards; by: -the world's 'champion,. Mr. H. W. Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson conceded Mr. Ford, a local professional, UOO in 2000. Great interest was taken in the game, and the play of the champion was greatly admired. Frequently would be heard I the exclamation, "He's done/* only, however, to be followed closely ■by a round ' of applause as Mr. Stevenson extricated the balls from difficult' positions, and went on /scoring. The easo with which he brought the balls together was remarkable, while his general play was a treat to watch, and an education in itself.

- Ford ! started off' well, and very soon made a 40 break, but as Stevenson settled down he made breaks of 68, 38, 35,. 59, 147, and 32, and when the adjournment was taken at a-quarter past nine o'clock, the game stood: Ford 1330, and Stevenson 492. After the interval, Stevenson, in his third attempt, made a break of 194 the biggest of the evening. ■ The ■ greater part of this break was made lat the top of the table, and it included clever cannons .and screw shots. Ford did not play so well towards the end, : while 'Stevenson improved, and at the end of the. night's play the scores stood: Ford 1426, Stevenson 1001.

Stevenson' twice scored three-figure breaks. His 194 was a fine effort. At 189 he lost the red, which went into baulk. He, however, brought off a fine cannon, but at 194 he failed to get in off the white. His biggest breads were: 68,' 38, 35, 59, 147, 32, 194, 95, 42, 87. Ford only twice reached over 30, but on several occasions got into the twenties. • Stevenson's average was 27.9 against Ford's 9. Mr. Stevenson gave a first-class exhibition of fancy strokes at the conclusion of the evening's play. ■ The match will be concluded this evening, and the contest should still provide a little excitement, and no doubt will draw a large attendance. ;