The Sun.
London, England, 1870-02-12 00:00:00

THE CHAMPION BILLIARD MATCH.

The billiard match, which was decided on Friday, puts
an end to an eager strife in the play. For a long time
the two have had their partisans—" Old Roberts " ant
"Young Cook "—as they are called, to distinguish the one
from his son, and the other from his father, both of whom
are professionals. The new arrangement of the billiard
table was adopted on this occasion.. From this source may
have sprung the greatly disappointing nature
of the play. Both men repeatedly missed
ordinary chances ; the breaks for a long time were
never over 40, and the spot strokes did not exceed
four at a time. Clever shots there were, of course,
almost beyond number, but neither of the men seemed
in his usual luck. Cook kept sometimes 50 and sometimes
40 ahead, until the tide turned in Roberts's favour, and the
score stood:—Roberts, 497; Cook, 495. This, however, was
after more than two hours' play. By a series of respectable
breaks. Cook soon afterwards made amends, and when at
eleven o'clock, the game being half over, an adjournment
took place, he had stolen 100 in advance.
After the interval the play became more lively, and
Cook had not long been at work before he had won loud
applause by a break of 80, all scientifically made. By
midnight he was 810 to Roberts's 640. The latter threw
an extra dash into his cueing, while his opponent slid the
balls about more insidiously than ever. What little
betting was done in the hall was from the first in
Cook's favour, and as the night wore on the odds
upon him were unshaken. The cheering, how-
ever, was very fairly divided, and every passable
shot was made the medium of encouragement.
By two or three breaks, respectable as to quantity but full
of clever strokes, Roberts soon lessened the somewhat
formidable distance between him and his opponent, until
he was but 117 behind. A hazard on Cook's part that
was losing in more senses than one gave Roberts an
advantage he availed himself of to the utter-
most. Cook then played for a comparatively easy
hazard, and lost it, leaving Roberts to " pull up until
the marker announced 800 to 897, a statement
which gave Roberts' friends great delight. Roberts's
play for some time now was magnificent ' • the more
impossible the hazard the easier he seemed to achieve it,
the farther away the cannon the more smartly
he reached it ; but the unfriendly pockets rendered long
breaks impossible, and just as enthusiasm was at its
highest point, and expectation brightest, the ball hung
trembling over the destined receptacle. Cook, however,
quietly set to work upon a beautiful break of 63, upon
which there was increased excitement, which suf-
fered no diminution when Roberts followed
with his best break, so far, of 68, finished with
throe spot strokes, which seemed to be the impassable
limit of that particular spot. Another break of 35 brought
Cook, at one o'clock, to 1,019, while Roberts had just
scored 900. Once more Roberts' star rose, and by a suc-
cession of surprisingly difficult long hazards, he approached
within 50 of his youthful competitor. His arrival at
1,000, while the other's score was 1,037, was the signal not
only for renewed cheering, but some revival of betting,
and this became tumultuous when in the next break he
surpassed Cook by 4. "The old man'll win" was shouted,
while the " old man," who is really younger looking
than most men several years his junior, bowed his
acknowledgments. One or two more alternations gave
Cook a lead of 20, shortly after he received a windfall in
the shape of an unlucky failure of Roberts's, and a neat
six and capital position for himself. When his break was
scored he was 1,100; Roberts 50 less. Before long Roberts's
score was 1,053, and, as it speedily proved, it was his last
chance. Cook entered upon a break, and made a fluke
soon after he began. Commencing with 1,132, he scored
by twos and threes, and only left off when he was pro-
claimed champion and victor. He was congratulated
on all sides, while Roberts sat in his chair with
two or three faithful friends ar.,uud to cheer him.
The game lasted till a quarter to two o'clock. Even the
backers of the young champion seemed sorry that after
twenty years of unbroken prosperity Roberts's good luck
had forsaken him. However, it was the fortune of war,
The Prince of Wales and Lord Carington remained to
the end.

LIVERPOOL COTTON MARKET.-(THIS DAY.)

Salos probably 10,000 bales. The market still very

quiet.