THERE was no billiard show in London during Christmas week except at the Grand Hall, Leicester Square, where F. H. Weiss and C. Harverson began a game of 12,000 up, even, on Boxing Day. Bonzoline balls are being used, and, as it naturally takes some little time to get accustomed to playing with these after a long course of ivory balls, no very noteworthy breaks had been made up to Saturday night last, when Harverson was slightly in front. No doubt both men, who are very well matched, will travel faster during the present week, and the battle is almost sure to be a close and interesting one. The game is being played on an admirable standard table by Messrs. Thurston and Co., Ltd. Details: -
WEDNESDAY, December 26Harverson had considerably the better of matters on the opening afternoon, scoring his 600 points while Weiss only aggregated 384. The latter's chief breaks amounted to 65, 53, 54, and 51, while Harverson was responsible for contributions of 89, 123, 98, 90, and 69 (unfinished). On resuming, Harverson increased his incomplete break to the full total of 137, but subsequently did nothing better than runs of 80 and 72. Weiss showed improved form and regained some lost ground, aggregating 544 points to Harverson's 446, with best breaks of 65 (twice), 55, 58, and 109. Closing scores: - Harverson (in play)......... 1,047 Weiss 928.
Weiss made capital progress this afternoon and at the close of play had established a lead of 193 points. He was seen to considerable advantage in contributions of 73, 94, 114, 87, and 104 (unfinished), and scored a total of 632 points to Harverson's 320. The latter's chief efforts only realised 55, 65, and 113. In the evening Weiss raised his unfinished 104 to the full total of 241 and at one period was leading by upwards of 400 points. Subsequently, however, he did nothing better than runs of 56, 61, and 72 (unfinished), whereas Harverson made brilliant progress with compilations of 90, 71, 201, 130, and 154, aggregating 809 to Weiss's total of 441 and finishing the session with a lead of 175 points. Closing scores: - Harverson............ 2,176 Weiss (in play) 2,001
Harverson had much the better of this afternoon's play, aggregating 761 points to Weiss's total of 481. The latter player after increasing an incomplete 72 to the full total 'of 95 contributed a best break of 127, Harverson's chief efforts amounting to 137, 92, and 71. The South African was in rather poor form at the second session, his best breaks being 65 and 81. However, he managed to score a total of 566 to his opponent's 471, and at the close was leading by 550 points. Weiss was responsible for two nice breaks amounting respectively to 143 and 119. Closing scores: - Harverson (in play)......... 3,503 Weiss 2,953
Play was not of a particularly interesting nature this afternoon, neither player being in characteristic form. Harverson put together breaks of 106, 104, and 75, averaging 22.50, while Weiss averaged 21.24 with best contributions of 64, 74, 90, and 71 (unfinished). On resuming in the evening, Weiss raised his unfinished item to the full total of 151, subsequently making good progress with contributions of 51, 61, 71, and 129 and aggregating 539 points to Harverson's total of 368.
The latter's only breaks worthy of mention were runs of 76 and 105, and at the close of play his lead was reduced to 442 points. Closing scores: - Harverson (in play) 4,551; Weiss 4,109.