BIG BREAKS AT BILLIARDS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 174, 8 June 1871, Page 7

BIG BREAKS AT BILLIARDS.

The London " Billiard Sport " says that big breaks at billiards are becoming so common that they cease to excite wonder. A count of say 200 is now considered as nothing, and less excitement was caused by Cook's recent run of "seven hundred and fifty-two " than was felt when, nine years since, John Roberts put together 346. One thing seems to be overlooked in recording the monstrous breaks made within the past two years — they have all been made by one man ; and, with this wonderful manipulator left out, Roberts' best performances are just as unapproachable now as when they were when made. Strange to say, also, Cook gets little or no credit for the magnificent form he exhibits — though perhaps the greatest of all praise is that whatever he does nobody seems surprised ; and if tomorrow a run of 1000 off the balls was made, no notice would be taken of it, provided it were made by Cook. John Roberts' 346, and the big scores of Cook (359, 367, 373, 378, 394, 417, 512, 531, and 752) have of course been made through excellence at one particular stroke— the spot hazard.

We need not here open up the controversy which provoked and attended the introduction of what are now called " championship " tables ; we have simply to call attention to Cook's break of 752, and to ask, "Does any person, taking a common-sense view of the game, object fco this youngster's position as champion?" The break in question was made at St. James' Hall, the game standing, Cook 350, Bennet, 218, when he commenced. After making 43 by all round play, Cook got up to spot, whore he made 111, when he lost position. All over the table he made 40, at the conclusion of which number he again got up to spot, from which he had scored 252, when time was called for the usual interval. On recommencing, Cook again lose position over his tirst hazard, but after scoring nine he was up again, and here continued until game was called, the time for 1000 being lh. 26min.