The annual handicap open to amateur members of the Billiard Association is being played in the private room at the Bedford Head Hotel, Tottenham Court Road, London.
The heats are 500 points up, and ivory balls are used. There are 40 entrants, including three past amateur champions.
In the Christmas handicap held at Mr. J. P. Mannock's Rooms, Bedford Head Hotel, the finalists were W. Warne (scratch) and J. Wilson (160). Warne, whose highest break was 38, won by 19 points.
In the Victoria Club handicap final the scores were:— Sibary (194), 300; Benjamin (162), 294.
The Albert Club handicap resulted as follows:—L. Stroud (50), 200; F. Oliver (125), 160.
At the Beaufort Club the Christmas handicap resulted in the victory by one point of A. Heathorn (125) over J. Dean (127).
The seventh annual Manchester Charity Handicap was brought to a termination at Messrs. Orme & Sons' Saloon, Mr. Vincent Bagnall gaining the first prize. The semifinals and the final attracted the usual big attendances, and the financial outcome will again enable the committee to materially benefit the Charter Street Mission, the Police aided Association for Clothing Destitute Children, and the Cinderella Fund.
The competition for the Amusements' Cup has now reached its most interesting stage, and much interest is being shown in the chances of the semi-finalists. Arrangements are being made for the final round to be played on the standard table in the private room at the Manchester Hotel, to which all League players and friends will be invited. After the game, the cup and the prizes will be presented.
In the Herefordshire Amateur Championship rounds now commencing, it has been decided that in accordance with the option allowed by the rules of the Billiards Control Club the "spot" stroke be not barred in any of the games.
In the final heat of the local club's billiard handicap the players were A. J. Morgan and L. P. Joyce, each of whom were in receipt of 100 points in 200. The former won by 44.
The Navy and Army billiards' tournament is in progress at Portsmouth.
The annual L.V. League tournament will commence on January 25.
The final in the Liverpool Amateur Championship was contested on January 12, with the following result:—S. D. Stead, 1,000; H. Hughenden, 678. The former accordingly receives the silver challenge cup and a gold medal, and the latter a gold medal.
Arrangements are now well advanced for the Scottish Amateur Billiard Championship, the winner of which qualifies for the British Championship at Dublin. Mr. R. Blair is the holder, and Major Fleming will be another of the competitors. A start will be made with the competition on February 13.
The tables in the column below covering the present season up to the 14th inst., are published by The Sporting Life, and present in excellent and convenient form the three figure breaks and the full record of the principal matches played to the date named.