BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 929, 26 December 1907, Page 13

BILLIARDS.

A SAD TALE. (From the “World of Billiards.”) She only said, “ The night is dreary, He cometh not,” she said; She said, " I am aweary, aweary, I would that I were dead.” * * * .* He only said, “ The marker’s beery, I’m sure I scored,” he said; He said, “ This game is dreary—Hie !— dreary, I think I’ll go to bed 1 !” (That night a shadow on the wall, The old grey wall beside the door, A wavering shadow faint did fall; Then, in the darkness, someone swore.) She only said, “ I hear you, deary, I hear you, brute!” she said. He said, “ I am aweary, aweary— I couldn’t pot that Red!” The oval billiard table has been followed by the “ovalex.” It has two curved cushions and six straight ones. * SIS * * The discoverer of the famous “ anchor” or “ cradle” cannon, W. A. Lovejoy, 'supplied us with a new sensation in the concluding session of the match for ■ £ 25 a-side with C. Harverson (writes the London correspondent of the “ Australasian.”) The terms were 8000 up, Harverson conceding 1500 points start, no more than 50 consecutive “ anchor” cannons to be allowed. When the day’s play opened Harverson had got to within 7 points of his opponent, and by brilliant play soon obtained a lead of 434, his score then standing at 7479

to Lovejoy’s 7045. The latter player ■had not troubled to go for an “ anchor” break all through the previous play, but seeing defeat staring him in the face, he went for it, and quickly working the balls into position, ' he rattled off 46 “ anchors.” He then broke the position by causing the red ball to come about an inch away from the cushion, and asked‘the referee if the balls were then anchored, to which the answer was in the negative. Harverson contended • that they were, but after much argument Lovejoy continued his break. A deft stroke worked the red nearly back into position, and another one did the trick. Harverson again protested, but unavailingly, and Lovejoy resumed making “ anchor” Cannons. This time he made 41 of them, and then, there being some doubt as to the number, he again broke the position, and regained it with three strokes, as before. This time, however, after making 16 “ anchors,” the red ball got worked into the pocket, and the break shortly came to an end, when it had reached 357. Harverson not doing much for a time, Lovejoy went on' with some fine all-round play,, including a brilliant run of 200, and eventually won by 315 points. At the conclusion of the game Harverson admitted that the referee could not have decided otherwise than he did.