BIG BREAKS AT BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 16, 13 May 1871, Page 16

BIG BREAKS AT BILLIARDS.

The London “ Billiard Sport” says that big breaks at billiards are becoming so common that they cease to excite wonder. A count of say 200 is now considered as nothing, and less excitement was caused by Cook’s recent run of “ seven hundred and fifty-two” than was felt, when nine years since, John Roberts put together 346. One thing seems to be overlooked in recording the monstrous breaks made within the past two years—they have all been made by one man, and, with this wonderful manipulator left out, Roberts’ best performances are just as unapproachable now as they were when made. Strange to say, also, Cook gets little or no credit for the magnificent form he exhibits — though perhaps the greatest of all praise is that whatever he does nobody seems surprised ; and if to-morrow a run of 1000 off the balls was made, no notice would be taken of it, provided it were made by Cook. John Roberts' 346 and the big scores of Cook (359, 367, 373, 388, 394, 417, 512, 531 and 752) have of course been made through € -.cellence

at one particular stroke—the spot hazard. So far so good ; but now comes the puzzle. These two men alone obtain pre-eminence at this shot; it does not become at all common; hundreds of good pLyers essay it, and fail miserably, or succeed very moderately. The second-best practitioners sink into utter insignificance; and if we are to be guided by the rules which govern other sports, Roberts and Cook deserve all the more credit from the signal failure of their antagonists. Such is, however, not the case. Like the fox in the fable, those out in the cold decry what they cannot attain, and the wise public, as usual, taking up the cry, the “ spot-stroke barred” players are lauded, and the stroke itself, the successful use of which calls into requisition the finest qualities of the exponent of billiards, is regarded by the majority as a trick which reflects no credit on its possessor. One would really think, bearing in mind all that has been written and said upon the matter, that the spot stroke was being successfully achieved by tyros in the first week of their practice at billiards. And this in the face of the great fact noted above. We need not here open up the controversy which provoked and attended the introduction of what are now called “ championship” tables; we have simply to call attention to Cook’s break of 752, and to ask, “ Does any person, taking a common-sense view of the game, object to this youngster’s position as champion?” The break in question was made at St James’ Hall, the game standing, Cook 350, Bennett 218, when he commenced. After making 43 by all round play, Cook got up to spot, where he made 111, when he lost position. All over the table he made 40, at the conclusion of which number he again got up to spot, from which he had scored 252, when time was called for the usual interval. On recommencing Cook again lost position over his first hazard, but after scoring nine he was up again, and here continued until game was called, the time for 1,000 being 111 26min.