HARVERSON is a very awkward man to beat in a money match, as Lovejoy discovered last week. These are contesting a game of 16,000 up, Lovejoy receiving a start of 3,600, for £25 a-side, and, for the first three days the ex-amateur travelled so fast that he looked like winning very easily indeed. Even on Thursday night last we saw 3 to 1 laid on him, but then he became rather inconsistent in his play, and Harverson, travelling at a great pace, had all the better of the handicap when he reached his points on Saturday night, Lovejoy being 549 behind his proper quota. However, one or two big breaks from his cue might soon alter the aspect of affairs. Messrs.
Cox and Yeman supplied a fine standard table for the match.
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Harverson had the better of the argument at the opening session, scoring a total of 666 points to Lovejoy's 413. The latter- player did nothing better than runs of 78 and 88, Harverson contributing chief efforts of 157, 81, 82, and 91. On resuming in the evening Harverson raised an incomplete 48 to the full total of 78, after which his highest runs only -amounted to 66 and 69, his aggregate being the very meagre one of 217. Lovejoy meanwhile scored a total of 620 points and was seen to considerable advantage in breaks of 284, 72, 69, and 148, the first of these containing 121 consecutive cannons.
Harverson was in brilliant form this afternoon, aggregating no fewer than 1,118 and reaching his full points with capital compilations of 225, 70, 195, 199, and 201. Lovejoy's total amounted to 504 and he was responsible for creditable breaks of 176, 83, and 112.
The scratch player again had the better of matters in the evening, and after raising an incomplete item of 31 to the full total of 75 made steady progress with runs of 88, 89, 87, 76, and 117 (unfinished), Lovejoy, with the exception of a break of 145 doing nothing worthy of mention.
Lovejoy quite failed to do himself justice again this afternoon, his highest efforts only amounting to 78 and 115, while his aggregate was 413 to Harverson's total of 667. The latter player, after increasing his unfinished 117 to the full total of 209, was seen to advantage in contributions of 135, 138, and 109 (unfinished).
The ex-amateur exhibited a welcome return to form in the evening, when he scored a total of 878 points and amassed brilliant compilations of 70, 230, 103, 112, 182, and 100 (unfinished). Harverson raised his incomplete item to the full total of 133, subsequently contributing a chief run of 141 while he only aggregated 340 points.
Play was of a very interesting nature this afternoon, both men being in good form. Lovejoy, after adding 38 to his unfinished effort of 100, reached his points with breaks of 66, 129, and 220 (unfinished), while Harverson was responsible for contributions of 145, 91, and 136. Harverson had the better of matters at the second session, scoring 691 points to Lovejoy's 476 and putting together chief efforts of 118, 161, and 92. Lovejoy, on resuming, raised his unfinished 220 to the full total of 308, but subsequently accomplished nothing better than runs of 86 and 73.
Harverson gained a lot of ground as the result of this afternoon's play, aggregating 970 points and amassing capital compilations of 103, 159, 116, 112, 185, and 80. Lovejoy proved in somewhat indifferent form, only totalling 314 points with highest runs of 82 and 66. At the second session the ex-amateur was again at a disadvantage, his best efforts only realising 74 and 66, his total being 296 to Harverson's 746.
The latter player succeeded in reaching his points for the first time since Tuesday afternoon and contributed excellent breaks of 87 (full from 24 unfinished), 99, 236, and 158.
Excellent play was witnessed this afternoon, Harverson reaching his points with compilations of 221, 137, and 240 and averaging 84 per innings, while Lovejoy, who was also in good form, averaged 56 with best breaks of 222 and 129. In the evening Harverson raised an incomplete item of 11 to the full total of 104, his remaining best efforts amounting to 125 and 84. Lovejoy contributed chief breaks of 84 and 132, but at the close of play he was 549 short of his points.