BILLIARDS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1161, 28 February 1874, Page 22

BILLIARDS.

THE LARGEST lUM3AK ON" BECORD.

The Field says: — "On Saturday evening, November 29th, during an exbi hitioii match between Cook and Bennett, at Cook's Rooms, 99 Regent street, Cook made the astounding break of 936. Bennett was in fine form, having bta'en Cook both at billiards and pyramids in the afternoon ; and in the evening got away first with a strong lead of a quarter of the game, scoring a magnificent break of 184 (including 37 spots), and adding small contributions of 44, 48, and 68 (21 spots), while Cook's only break was a trifle of 79. The score then stood : — Bennett, 386 ; Cook, 148. Cook then made 63 by all round play, when he got the spot, and put together 270 consecutive spots. The 263 rd spot made him game, but by request he continued his break. On the 270 th spot he lost position ; but cannoning and coming to the spot again he made 19 more spots, making the total of spots in the break 289, and then he broke down at a cannon across the table. The pockets are rather full-sized and tho shoulders are a good bit cut away ; but even taking this into consideration, tho break is the most marvcllou3 over known. To enable the reader to appreciate this break, we add the best performances of other players. About fifty years ago a marker named Carr was considered the boat player of his day, on the old-fashioned list tables with very wide pockets. About 1825, during a match he scored 22 consecutive spot hazards. This was deemed so wonderful a performance at the time that he was immediately backed against all comers for 100 guineas a side, and was in fact the first billiard champion. Edwin Kentfield (Jonathan) eventually challenged him, but the match never came off, and Kentfield was deemed champion until 1849. His best break was 196. John Roberts then challenged Kentfield. The latter declined to play, and Roberts remained champion until 1870. Roberts was by far the best player of his day, owing partly to his mastery of the spot, in practising which ho spent hundreds of hours. His longest break was 346, including 104 consecutive spots. In 1870, William Cook, the present champion, challenged Roberts and boat him. Cook has made many long breaks, including 512, 531 (165 spots), 752 (220 spote), and now 036. (2,89 spote)."

unecun.