Now that this most successful handicap has been completed it may be of interest to my readers to have the full and generous prize list placed before them, and I now append the same:—
1st prize to the value of £12 12s. and Perpetual Challenge Cup to be held for one year, Mr. R. Moy; 2nd prize, presented by Messrs. Burroughes & Watts, Ltd., to the value of £8 8s., Mr. A. R. Lacey; 3rd prize to the value of £6 6s., Mr. Phil Harwitz; 4th prize to the value of £4 4s., Mr. C. Rogers; 5th prize to the value of £3 3s., Mr. W. Babbington; 6th prize to the value of £3 3s., Mr. J. P. Coxall; 7th prize to the value of £2 2s., Mr. E. A. Simpson; 8th prize, presented by the proprietor of the Palmerston Restaurant, to the value of £2 2s., Mr. J. R. Cocke. Best loser in the first round, to the value of £1 1s., Mr. J. Seabrook; best loser in the second round, to the value of £1 1s., Mr. E. Henderson; best loser in the third round, to the value of £1 1s., Mr. R. E. Rutter; best loser in the fourth round, to the value of £1 1s., Mr. C. D. Chapman. In addition to the above, Messrs. Burroughes & Watts generously presented two cues and cases for best proportionate breaks, and these were carried off by Mr. E. C. Garland (owed 20) and Mr. E. A. Simpson (rec. 50) with respective breaks of 43 and 38.
I would like to tender my hearty congratulations to Mr. Moy on his achievement of such a fine performance. That he fully deserves his success is admitted, for he played to win throughout.
Now I can turn to the present and all-important event— the championship—and the most pleasing feature in this connexion is the welcome re-appearance of that popular sportsman, Mr. Percy Wood. Although golf has taken up a lot of his time, it is evident he has not altogether neglected to wield the cue, and he has readily won his first two heats.
In the second he defeated Mr. V. L. Harrington, but it was mainly due to a brilliant break of 115 that he proved successful. This is, of course, the biggest run yet recorded, and it will go down to history as a perfect specimen of the game.
Mr. Wood not only showed superb strength and judgment at the open phase of the game, but he also displayed quite expert knowledge at the spot end.
What a final it would be if Mr. Wood were opposed to Mr. Phil Harwitz! and if the former continues as he has started, this meeting will surely come about.
Another event that will be looked forward to is t h e concert at which the prizes will be distributed, but so far the arrangements have not been completed.
The manager of the Palmerston is nothing if not hospitable, and he entertained a few pressmen on Thursday evening last at a happy little informal supper, which was thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Gemelly does not play billiards himself, but he nevertheless takes a keen delight in watching the doings of others, and he paid a high tribute to the papers, notably The Billiard Monthly, for, as he said, so ably helping to maintain the interest that is felt in the game.
Mr. Clarke, the assistant manager, also is unfailing in his attention to the members, and altogether it is clear that the management assists in every way to help the committee.
Soon after these lines are in print the resting place of the handsome challenge cup for another season will be decided, and it is almost certain to be a battle royal between Mr.
Phil Harwitz, the holder, and Mr. Percy Wood, as the latter will be expected to put "paid" to the aspirations of either Mr. Bullett or Mr Yates; and I, personally, am inclined to think that Mr. Wood will be the possessor of the trophy.
My notes this month must be limited for several reasons, and as it will be the last time this season that I am able to inform my readers as to Stock Exchange billiards, I take the opportunity to thank all those who have interested themselves in this paper, and wish them au revoir until next autumn, when I hope to introduce some new features.
G. E. R.