BILLIARDS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VII, Issue 346, 11 March 1897, Page 3

BILLIARDS

The closing stages of the 24,000 spot-barred game between James Roberts and H. W. Stevenson were much more interesting than at one time appeared probable, Stevenson playing in most consistent form on the last two days of the match. On the first afternoon he was responsible for a magnificent break of 427, but in the evening Roberts scored altogether 1174 to 485. When the last day’s play was entered upon Roberts was within 277 of level, but so well did Stevenson perform that the finish was most exciting, the scratch man winning by the narrow margin of 84 points only. Once more Stevenson made a big break, which amounted to 401, and from his play on the concluding evening it is evident that he has improved wonderfully since last season. The final scores were: Roberts, 24,000; Stevenson (received 9,000), 23,916. After extending over four nights,. the. barred match between E. James, of Sydney, and T. Bragge, the young Melbourne cueist, was concluded last Thursday at the rooms of Messrs' Heiron and Smith, Castlereagh Street, Sydney. The conditions were 3000 up, £lO a side, and the entire gate receipts. After the first three evenings play the result of the match was a foregone conclusion, and this fact probably accounted for the small attendance at the termination of the game. On resuming, James (in play) had 2250 points to his credit against his opponent’s 1442. The Sydney man made several flukey shots during his opening breaks, and, indeed, all through the contest his luck was remarkably good. He quickly settled down to sound consistent play, and Bragge fell further in the rear. There were no other three-figure breaks, 71 (by James) being the highest of the evening. The game ended in a win for the Sydney man by a margin of 1011 points—3ooo against 1989. The winner’s best breaks were 37, 42, 35, 27, 21, 27, 51, 52, 40, 61, 31, 53, 71, and 34. Bragge’s best breaks were 31, 67, 36, 42, 58, 25, and 51. The distinction of having made the biggest break of the match rested with the loser, who put together 110 on the opening night; James’ best effort was 100. The largest break the Melbourne man has ever made in a spot-barred match is 178. Bragge is certainly a promising player; he executed some really brilliant strokes, but evinced a desire to force the game unnecessarily. James, on the other hand, was consistent, if not brilliant, and perfectly calm always. The loser had been in anything but robust health during his short stay m Sydney, and, judged by his numerous failures on comparatively easy shots, he could not have been in anything like his best form.