BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 998, 22 April 1909, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

While playing a match against Cecil Harverson last week, Stevenson made a break of .354 off the red ball. The record break off the red ball is 435, established by Geo. Gray in January last, while playing a match against Lindrum.

Everything comes to him who waits (says the Sydney “Referee.”) Harry W. Stevenson has been proclaimed champion of English billiards ! The generous proclamation comes from the Billiards Control Club, and if ever this club played a correct move, it did so on this occasion. Can any honest sport conscientiously object to the award to Stevenson, who, by his past very brilliant career and performances, has emphatically proved himself the greatest living exponent of the gentle art of putting the billiard balls through their facings ? Stevenson has long since meritoriously earned the title of champion, being above all other players (bar Dawson fit and well) to the extent of 4000 points in 20,000; his performances of late are unprecedented, and but a few weeks back he almost reached his own world’s record break of 802 in the compilation of a handsome 788. Many will no doubt remember when Roberts, in May, 1905, attempted to concede Stevenson 2000 points in 18,000 for £5OO, the latter betting £lOO he would win by more than his handicap. Stevenson bolted early in the match, one notable shot fired by him being a 403 break; then interest in the match began to wane, when Stevenson concluded upon trying a more even contest. He banked his fires, and Roberts was found creeping up, until at length, on the afternoon of the eighth day (Tuesday, May 30), the ex-cham-pion assumed the lead, scores being

called at the close of play: Roberts (in play), 11,251; Stevenson, 11,135. Excitement now reached a very high pitch, and a rush was made for seats at each session. Roberts, the wonder, was in front ! Simply marvellous ! Stevenson’s bright eyes sparkled as he smiled the smile of a winner. Roberts’ lead was on sufferance and but momentary. In the evening Stevenson, full of confidence, electrified all present by a succession of breaks that brought him well to the front at the close of play, when he was leading by no less than 758 points. From this onward Roberts was out of the hunt, as Stevenson eventually won by 1520 points. Stevenson kept his run too late to win the £lOO side wager, but he had the satisfaction of a good cut in a big gate, and also of giving Roberts a start in 6750 and winning by 1520 points.

The tournament which has been in progress at the Ponsonby Billiard Academy for the past five weeks will be concluded to-morrow (Friday) evening, when a big attendance is looked for. Great excitement centres around the final game, the tournament having attracted no less than 64 competitors, which makes it one of the largest ever played in Auckland. The tournament was confined to amateurs, and this has naturally increased the Interest taken in the several stages of the game, the semi-finals of which were played last evening after we had gone to press. A report and review of the tournament will be given next issue.