BILLIARD MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XVII, Issue 2460, 16 June 1874, Page 2

BILLIARD MATCH FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF ENGLAND.

(From Bell's Life.)

W. Cook has for so long shown his superiority both on the ordinary and champion table, that the match of last night was looked forward to with more than usual interest. Roberts, Jan., has for a long .while been absent from London, and though he has been heard of occasionally in big breaks in exhibition matches in the provinces there is no doubt that his appearance in town again, a 1 here his beautiful hazard striking is so admired, was a great draw. Billiards begin to assert their proper position in the public mind. The science to which the practice of the cue has been brought, the spot stroke, and the marvelous breaks made of this single stroke, have proved to the billiard opponents that there must be something connected with the game rar above the ordinary abstract idea of a good eye and a good hand. The favour in which, the \ game is held by the public is sufficient evidence of its practical utility, and as long as we produce such champions — mere boys, too— as Cook, Bennett, and Roberts, who can : give nine-tenths of, th.e, game to au ordinary amateur, ao long must those who cavil be content to keep silent. The extraordinary freak of legislation that prohibited two men wagering outioud in a billiard match has not detracted the slightest' fro in the interest of the big contests. If a man wishes to wager he will do so sotto vooe if bawling is prohibited by law. But it is not the butting element that makes great matches interesting. The temper, science, and nerve of the game is quite sufficient, and we are sure that had the big hall been taken laat night, instead of the smaller one, alt the 3eats would have tilled. The variety of piay that a billiard table will show, from the championship to a private table at a friend's,, is gneugli in itself to mak« the game popular. The ordinary table, with its 3$ inch pocket, undergoes great alteration at times in the hands of an obliging maker, in the local public house, where the village cracks play 3d pool or shell out, when gas is 5s 4d a thousand feet, it would be suicidal policy of the proprietor, were the pockets not ample and the balls small ; but on the championship tables the 3 inch pockets, virtually prohibit the spot stroke, and though Cook has, we believe, scored more than 20 consecutive hazards oli' it, we believe that 5 is the highest number ever ni-ide in a championship match. When Cook beat old Roberts in the first match for tho title, the highest break was under 70; iv. another match the century was pasaed, Cook scoring 116 ; but while we liud Cook scoring over 900 on the ordinary table, aud many of the second rate players — Stanley, Taylor, <fee.., — scoring over 500, so. mucli difference uoes the f of an inch make that 50 is a good break, and 100 a rarity. Cook's style is not so takii gas Roberts ; ho serins to hesitate over his strokes, whereas Roberts plays rapidly and with much dash, and his winning hazards are without doubt most brilliantly executed, but he lacks steadiness and often fails at what appeals comparatively easy strokes. His recent defeat by Timbrel) at Liverpool, when the latter, after being passed at 700 pulled up and won, did not bring him many supporters i whereas Cook, whose play in the late handicaps, and against Timbrell, whom he beat easily, was a strong favorite. The room was densely crowded, and numbers who came to pay at the door had to be turned away. Piay began to time at 7.45. In other matches it has been found that 8 p.m. makes the tinish too late for the comfort of sp^ctasors. As it was, last night the match lasted till 11.30, and many had to leave before that time to o.uch. the last train Notniiig could succeed the orderly and comfortable way in which Mr Austin had made the arrangements' ' -.Roberts was the first to score, 7, but Cook at on je got in and scored 121 off the balls, the highest break ever made on the championship. This opening so startled the friends of Roberts that 2 to 1 against him went up to 4 to 1 ; another break of 82, aud yet again another of 40, made his score 244 to Roberts' 58, the latter gooting a break of 40. Cook's score was made by all round piay. At 255 he made some grand cannons by nursing. Roberts J 58, made a nice break of cautions and- an. ei&ht stroke, holeing all the balls; Ck>o|c made til, in which weie the only six; Spots of the evening. It was then fur a long time alow play, and small scores, Roberts gradually creopiny up ; Cook 307. Raberta

251 ; the latter made 44 in his usual rapid

. style, and at 334 he got in with 42, some of ■ the fine hazards creating great applause, ■ but he often failed. *ai. easy losers. At 390 ! h« made 32, and at 398 and 500, be showed some very well played strokes, and left the jbnlls,foi- C'.ook, The. latter ha.) not been 'idle, at 496 he made 41 ; at 542 he made i.43 ; but it was clear that, the great breaks, were oyer. and the game resolved itself into j'oue of caution on b'oljh At the mii terval for refreshment, Cook, 5-37, Roberts i'>s7. ifc looked a foregone .conclusion. On commencing p^.V again both mcii.misaeiJ Several sfivik'ys in succession, and if was not until 7'lo ; th.at Cook put any life .in the, match . by 'scoring 49, and'aoon after 3G. Roberts, however, could not get oven twenties to hia .score, but' he ad.dod a few' in each iuniugss and at times was much applauded for hi, following cannons and side strokes, that were done with a rapidity in great contrast to the steadiness of Cook. At 709 he made 44, and finished with a good baulk. Cook, .in the meanwhile, by small scores, worked | to 972, but Roberts had three innings, and got to 784, Cook went to 993, and let in Roberts for his last change, but failing at a forcing loser Cook won by 216 points The result of this match places beyond doubt the superiority of our present champion. He has beaten Roberts three times for the trophy, Roberts sen., and Joseph Bennett, and he is able to give points on the championship and ordinary table to any other player, [f he improves as he has done during the last year or so we shall soon see him score his thousand off the balls. He has worked hard and deserves all credit for his position, in which by good play and civility, he has made many friends.