BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 703, 27 August 1903, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

A cable states that the billiard toumarnent at Sydney Tattersail’s Club (250 up) "was concluded on Monday, when Mr . W. Lyons, of Auckland, defeated Mr F. Hill, of New South Wales, and won the tournament. As Mr Lyons was handicapped 75 points behind scratch, and had in addition to concede Mr Hill 130 points, his win was a most meritorious one, and when the Aucklander ran out there was quite an -outburst of enthusiasm.

The Yacht Squadron have got another tournament in full blast at their rooms, and very keen interest is being taken in the various games. In the A Class Competition the final is considered to rest between Messrs A. Holden, S. A. Smith, S, J. Clark and A. Witham. The B Tournament is regarded as very open, but I am told that C. Connolly is considered the most dangerous.

Here’s a choice item from the “ Bromyard Times “ Billiards. —Two capital exhibition games of billiards were given at the Hop Pole Hotel, Bromyard, on Thursday last, by Mr E. F. Baker, oi London. The games were watched with great interest by the company present, several of which expressed their belief that the exhibition had been one of the best they had ever witnessed. Among the notable features was a break of 123, in less than three minutes, by what is known as nursery cannons.” A break of 123 in less than three minutes ! Great Scott ! ! This is the sort of cueist to make Dawson, Stevenson, Weiss and Co. hide their heads in very shame at their own snaillike rate of scoring, yet Mr Baker continues to remain in obscurity. Strange indeed.

A round played by our old friend William Lyons, in Sydney Tattersall’s tournament is thus described by “ The Referee ” : “ Old Bill ” in the early stages of his bout was dead to the world, and took a long time to get going. Certainly he had to take on a new cue through losing thetip of hia own second stroke, but he gave his friends a trying half-hour indeed. His opponent was a quiet, mild-looking young fellow—-dead sure on the pot, but weak all round —and reached 173 to Bill’s 48. Then the old ’un got into touch with 17, 33, then 46, and went out 25 unfinished next cue. Although playing a lot below form, the winner averaged almost 7 per innings.

The game between the Englishman Stevenson and Memmott at Tattersall’s Club was the best contested 500 up I have ever seen (writes “Snooker”). Memmott, in the early stages, did not get a. ghost of a chance to score, and looked hoplessly beaten, when he came with a superb run of 237—his highest to date against Stevenson. In finish,-ease of execution, and dexterity, the break was of a superb description. It is away ahead of anything he has ever done before on a table in Sydney.

H. W. Stevenson, the great English cueist, passed through Auckland during the week, on his way South, where he will play matches at the various large towns. He will then return to Auckland and play a couple of matches against J. R. Hooper, -our billiard, tennis, golf, and bowling champion. After that he will leave for Hononulu, and from there to England, via Vancouver. He opens in England on November 30, under engagement to Messrs Riley, Limited, the firm on whose -table the late match for the championship was played.