THE BILLIARD CHAMPIONSHIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 29, 12 August 1871, Page 8

THE BILLIARD CHAMPIONSHIP.

(Times, May 26.) A match for the Champion Cup was played last night at St. James’s Hall between John Poberts, jun., the champion, and W, Cook, on a new table manufactured by Messrs lhurston, of Catherine street, Strand. Play commenced a few minutes before 8 o clock, but for some time there was no score, with the exception of repeated misses on either side. After a while, however, Robert’s score was called at 34 to Cook’s 21, followed presently by Cook 51 to Roberts’s 35. Cook now took a marked lead, and as Roberts played very badly he had scored 181 by the time Roberts had made 137. The latter then had some tolerable breaks, and the game was called 203 to Cook’s 231. Cook then got in at a quarter to 9 p.m., and had a splendid break of 77, which brought his game up to 308 as against his opponent’s 203. Soon after nine o’clock Cook made another capital break of 55, and his score was called 417 to Roberts’s 200. Some good play on either side followed, when Ro* berts had scored 396 to Cook s 459. The latter now took the balls and by some very steady work made the best break of the evening, viz., 88, his score being called 547 to 396. An adjournment of half an hour was made for refreshment about half-past 9 o’clock, after which play recommenced. Roberts, who had performed very indifferently during the early part of the evening, and against whom such long odds as 2 to 1 and 5 to 2 had been betted, now began to exhibit some of the dashing play for which he is celebrated, especially in the matter of cannons allround the table, and so brilliant were many of the strokes which he executed that they called forth piolonged applause —sometimes even of a boisterous character. By slow degress and beautiful play he gradually reduced Cook’s lead, making, among others, a good break of 34 ; and at half-past 10 o’clock he had caught up and passed Cook —the score being called 625 to 624. Once more Cook wrested the lead from his opponent but again the latter got upon level terms with him, only to be repassed. For some time Cook retained the advantage, but at halfpast 11 Roberts had again overtaken and passed him, the score being— Roberts 876, to Cook 870. While Cook was increasing his score by 7, Roberts had run his total up to 902 by some brilliant play. Towards the close of the evening the game became very exciting, and all sorts of odds were laid first upon one striker and then upon the other, according as fortune or good play befriended each. By and by Robert’s score was called at 978 to Cook’s 928. Presently, in his turn, Cook’s total was 947 as against Roberts’s 983. The latter then scored but 2. Cook next ran his total up to 964 against Robert’s 985, and the latter failing to score, Cook won the game with a good break, just as the clocks were striking midnight. The winner played a careful, hut by no means dashing, game throughout, while his opponent failed to play always alike, notwithstanding the fact that he made up his lost ground in a remarkable maimer after the interval which divided the evening.