Jottings of the Month

• Despite his 57 years of age, N. J. Ayres, the chairman of the Billiard Professional Association, is still a force to be reckoned with and only a few days ago he made a fine break of 302 in a game with one of his customers at the Bell and Anchor Hotel, Hammersmith Road.
• Harverson's record break is now 633, which he made at the Constitutional Club, Putney, whilst conceding W. Cook 200 in 800 up. Harverson's previous best was 567.
• In the course of the match of 18,000 up for £150 a-side in which Stevenson beat Reece by 931 points the ex-champion made a break of 648, his sixth break above 500 this season.
• Mr. A. H. Vahid played in a benefit game of 700 points up at Mr. J. Mannock's rooms at the Bedford Head Hotel against the head marker there and won an exciting game by 23 points.
• Playing Elphick at Hither Green and conceding him 200 in 800, Inman made a break of 207, and four others exceeding the 100, but nevertheless lost by 270 points. Elphick's breaks included a 217 and 115.
• Newman has been further consolidating his position as a great billiard player and fighter, and especially in the course of his tournament match against Stevenson. His net win by 1,623 and break of 610 represented great billiards.
• A notable feature of the month has been the match between Inman and Dawson. It was a great pleasure to many of the old friends and admirers of Dawson to see him playing so well in the early part of the game, and interest was in turn caused by Inman's later brilliant work in which a fine break of 479 was conspicuous.
• The interesting suggestion is made by "Hazard" in The Sporting Life that there should be a billiards tournament confined to ladies both as regards players and spectators.
• The names of possible contestants that are mentioned are Miss K. Lidbetter, Miss Morley (of Altrincham), Miss Peall, daughter of W. J. Peall, and Miss Cook, daughter of W. Cook. It is thought, however, that 8 or at feast 6 players would be necessary to ensure success.
• Our Stock Exchange correspondent writes:—"It is quite on the cards that a most important and novel match will shortly take place between Frank Collins, son of the famous George of that ilk, who is referee of the Stock Exchange Handicap and Championship, and J. Jevons, of the Royal Automobile Club. It will take the form of a match for the one-handed championship of billiards, which title Collins at present claims. This disputed title has been a matter of discussion for some years, both men having a number of supporters. But more of this anon."
• As an indication of what Gray may be expected to do in the championship, the fact that he averaged 42½ whilst scoring 15,162 points against Newman is instanced. What Gray has actually done hitherto is this: After practising for many years with crystalate balls he made a 2,000 break; After practising two years with bonzoline he made 1,000 breaks; and after practising a few weeks with ivories he has made a 600 break. Our own opinion is that on this showing he will either win the championship or be a very good second.
• Carpenter retains his title as professional champion of Wales, having defeated J. Ball by 7,000 to 5,552.
• Playing against a Folkestone amateur, Mr. Stakes, to whom he conceded 650 in 1,500, W. Cook made breaks of 196, 194, and 142, and won by 216.
• The Liverpool Amateur Championship resulted in a victory for J. Roberts, Junior Reform Club, who scored 1,000 against 985 by L. D. Stead, Lyceum Club.
• Elphick made breaks of 227 and 159 in a level match at Enfield against A. F. Peall, which he won by 246 points. The match was one of 800 up.
• Members of the Billiard Professional Association have been playing during the month in a handicap against each other at Messrs. Orme's in Soho Square.
• The Manchester Amateur Charity Handicap was won by H. Hardy, of Esher, with 1,500 against 1,468 by W. W. Wells, of Heaton. Wells made a break of 109.
• Playing at the Grand Hall, Leicester Square, against Stevenson on February 10, Reece made no fewer than 6 century breaks in the same session.
• The committee handicap at the Globe Club resulted as follows: Semi-finals: R. Wright (rec. 110) beat C. Martin (rec. 145) by a t; J. Levy (rec. 155) beat R. S. Cobden (rec. 120) by 11. Final: J. Levy (rec. 155) 200, v. R. Wright (rec. 110) 165.
• Perhaps the most notable day's play in the great match between Gray and Newman was that on February 6, when, at the afternoon session. Gray made a break of 634, and averaged 88.9 against Newman's 25¼ and when Newman in the evening averaged 83.30 to Gray's 16.63.
• Smith has been playing good billiards at various clubs in northern counties during the season. At Stockton in a game of 3,000 up he made two breaks exceeding 200 and nine others exceeding 100, and at South Bank in a game of 1,600, he made six breaks exceeding the 100.
• The Billiard Association championship was won at Nottingham by H. C. Virr, representing England, with 3,000, against J. Nugent, representing Ireland, with 1,962. Virr had previously beaten Croneen, representing Scotland, by 2,000 to 1,254. In the course of that match he made a break of 155 and completed his first 100 in 5¼ minutes. In his next innings he did even better with 16. The English section of the championship was won by Virr with 1,000 against 921 by S. H. Fry. In the Northern section Taylor beat Heginbottom by 1,000 to 923. In the course of the third round Mr. A. W. T. Good, who was subsequently beaten by Mr. J. G. Taylor, made a 220 break, which included an amateur record of 174 off the red. J. Nugent (Ireland) beat A. Paton (Wales) by 2,000 to 1,470.
• The one-handed billiard expert, J. Jevons, has made several notable scores in matches played by him against two-handed players during the month.
• It is understood that after this season's play is over Inman will go to America, Stevenson to America and Canada, Reece to Australia, and Harverson to South Africa.
• Stevenson is due in New York in July.
• Amongst Stevenson's breaks thus far this season have been a 919, 780, 724, 648, 590, and 572; Reece has made a 675, 618, 610, and 553; Inman a 676, and 510 twice; Newman a 610, 576. 539 and 526: Aiken a 590, Diggle a 528, and Smith a 524. Gray has also made a large number exceeding 500.
• A large company gathered at the Sussex Hotel, St. Martin's Lane, on February 45, to witness a match of 1,000 up between Mr. J. W. Kingsley, the proprietor, and the amateur boy champion of London, Master J. J. Ashley, the latter conceding 200 start. A most interesting game resulted in a victory for Mr. Kingsley, whose best break was 51, by 137 points. Master Ashley recorded an effort of 53. A return match is booked to take place at the Camberwell Radical Club shortly. Mr. Kingsley is also due to contest a level game of 750 at the Sussex Hotel, on March 6, his opponent being Will Ino, a well-known provincial comedian.