BILLIARD MATCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 250, 12 October 1876, Page 2

BILLIARD MATCH.

" Billiards extraordinary " was a very judicious selection for the heading of the advertisement in which Mr A. M'Gee notified to the public that he had made arrangements with Mr Roberts to play in Nelson, so at least it will, we believe, be allowed by all who witnessed last night's game, in which, among other feats with his cue, Mr Roberts scored the fine break of 366, including 69 successive spot strokes. Great credit is clue to Mr M'Gee for the excellence of his arrangements, the seats being so placed tbat all who were present could obtain a good view of the table. The light was not all that could be desired, as it wa3 rather too high above tbe table, but that, of course, could not be helped ; everything else, however, that could be done was done to ensure the comfort of the spectators, and to afford facilities to the two champions in their play. At a quarter past eight Mr Roberts entered the room and was loudly cheered, and the game was at once commenced by Mr Weston, who received 500 points out of 1000, giving a miss in baulk. Roberts followed with a miss just below the middle pocket. Weston played without scoring, whereupon he was potted by Roberts, who then secured 12 spot strokes, making the score 39 to 501. We do not propose to describe the game in detail, which would be wearisome to our readers, but shall merely refer to the principal breaks. After some little play Avithout much scoring on either side, Roberts made 62 by some very pretty hazards and cannons, bringing his total to 106, Weston in the meantime having scored 49. A 33 was then made by Roberts and very shortly followed by 86, including 12 cannons secured by a careful nursing of the balls. This brought his score to 218, Weston being 575, Ins largest break having been 14. Shortly afterwards Roberts made 49 including 12 spot strokes, and a few minutes later scored a break of 20. Roberts 339, Weston 595. Weston's next play was not commenced under favorable circumstances the balls being in anything but a good position for scoring, but by a clever screw back off the white into the corner pocket he opened a pretty break of 26. The scoring now was for a time slow until Roberts made 35 bringing his total to 409, Weston being 660. Eights, tens, twelves, and thirteens followed until Weston was 712, and Roberts 500, when after playing for 1 hour 5 mins he left off in the middle of a break for the interval. On returning to the room he concluded his break which was the largest yet made amounting to 109 including 35 consecutive spot strokes. Score, Roberts 590, Weston 712. Weston now appeared to be in better form while Roberts dropped behind, the former making, besides other smaller breaks, al7 and a 38. Roberts 606, Weston 773. Roberts made 11, one or two smaller scores, and then made seven successive strokes without scoriug at all, Weston meantime running up his total by excellent play which called forth frequent applause, to 851, Roberts being only 620. lie then picked up a little with breaks of 11,54,15, and 12, Weston by careful play bringing up his score to 915, and then by a break of 26 to 941, Roberts during the same time having reached 794. And now commenced the finest exhibition of skill of the evening. By cannons, and hazards, both losing and winning, played with perfect strength and exquisite precision Roberts made 103, and then got on to the spot, where he scored 30 consecutive times, made a losing hazard and a caunon just by way of variation, and then got back to the spot, where he continued to hold the red until he had >>on the game with a break of 206. This feat was loudly cheered, and at the request of those present he continued his break until it reached the enormous number of 366, including 99 spot strokes, 69 of which were consecutive. He then, to the great delight and amusement of the spectators, performed some very clever tricks with the balls with his hands, to describe which is simply impossible, as to be fully appreciated they must be seen. Tonigbt he will again meet Weston, giving him 350 out of 750, after which they will play five games of pyramids. The prices have been considerably reduced, as will be seen by the advertisement. The small gallery has been reserved for ladies, the admission to which will be 3s.