H.D. STEVENSON IN SYDNEY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 895, 2 May 1907, Page 11

H.D. STEVENSON IN SYDNEY.

This famous cueist, who was booked to leave Sydney for Auckland yesterday, was interviewed by a representative of the “Sydney Mail” on his arrival in the Harbour City. After unreservedly condemning the cradle cannon shot, Stevenson said: —“I will leave Sydney for New Zealand this week, and will call at Auckland, Napier, and Wellington, playing on the way. I will leave the Bluff for Hobart, playing there and at Launceston. I will open at Melbourne in June. So far, I have not made any arrangements as to who my opponents are to be in any of my matches. In July I shall show in Sydney, and, that done, will start for Brisbane, playing as required on the road, say at Newcastle, Inverell, and Armidale. In Queensland it is likely I shall have engagements at Townsville and Toowoomba, and will leave Brisbane first week in September, reaching Japan about October. Shanghai, Hongkong, Penang, Singapore, Rangoon, and other parts of India will fill in about three months, and Colombo will be left behind for England, where I expect to arrive in time for the 1908 and 1909 season.” Speaking of his form, Stevenson remarked: —“I had a very good season. I finished in wonderful form, and I am improving. The season before last I made 70 breaks over 300. This season I scored as many runs over 300 in two months’ less time. Since the present rules have been in force —that is, since 1898—there are 41 breaks over 500 to my credit, including the all-round record of 802, which was made against Dawson on February 16, 1905. In a tournament at Manchester I obtained 1375 in three successive visits to the table —548, 169, and 658; and,” added Stevenson, with a smile, “without the aid of the cradle, anchor, or Lovejoy cannon.” Reference was made to Stevenson’s form against Dawson just before he left London, and the reply was: — “In Burroughes and Watt’s tournament, which I won from scratch, I made against Dawson 702 on the last session, which was the last night I had in London. In that match I went 100 times to the table for 9000, and averaged 89.83; it would have been an average of 90 but for the 17 misses I received from Dawson, to whom I gave six. During the five weeks I played in the tournament I averaged 49.99, and won the prize for the best average. For my achievement against Dawson the London sporting press presented me with a record of the game printed on silk, ‘in recognition of the most remark-

able display of billiards in the history of the game.’ I defeated Dawson by 5269 in 9000.” “How do you stand in games with Dawson?” “I have met him in 25 games, and have won 17.” “Is there a possibility of meeting Inman in matches during his visit to Australia?” “I don’t know. I would like to play him games at Sydney or Melbourne or elsewhere. The only contest I lost in Burroughes and Watts’ tournament was that against him. I was handicapped to concede 2250 in 9000.” Speaking about breaks, Stevenson remarked that he was the only player to make two runs of 500 on the one evening, and that he had done it twice —571 and 509 against Dawson, in February, 1905, and 539 and 546 against Lovejoy, in October, 1906. He does not think Weiss is likely to return to Australia for some time. Speaking of other players, he says Aiken, the Scottish champion, is an attractive player, moving round the table very quickly, and playing in good style. Williams, of Manchester, Stevenson thinks, may develop into a champion.