A BILLIARD match took place on September 21st between S. W. Stanley and Shorter, the latter receiving 300 points in 1,000, the occasion being the opening of some new billiard rooms at Mrs. Ashton's, Swallowstreet, Piccadilly.
These St. James's Billiard Rooms, as they are called, are certainly a great acquisition to the neighbourhood, as in addition to a capital public room on the ground floor there are two admirably-fitted private room s, each which contains a first-class new billiard table by Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, of Soho-square, and we were glad to see that in both private rooms the cues, balls, &c., were equal to what is generally met with in good public rooms, and are not of that third-rate description which too often renders private rooms impossible for good players to attend.
With regard to the play between Shorter and Stanley, the less said about the latter the better. Owing probably to the admission being free, the room, which is amply large enough for ordinary occasions, was crowded to excess.
Stanley did not appear to care whether he lost or won, and as the butt of his cue was invariably in some one's face or waistcoat prior to each stroke, we suppose the fact must excuse his wretched play. Towards the end of the game he evidently lost his temper—a very foolish habit, especially for a young player to commence.
Shorter, on the other hand, played remarkably well, never missing those long losing hazards which are well called the backbone of the game. Shorter made one capital break of 110, besides one of 50, 56, and 62, and won the game by 387 points. Stanley's best break was only 42. Oh!
THERE was a very good attendance at Mr. Maslin's billiard rooms, St. Aldates, Oxford, on Sept. 17, to witness a match of 500 up between the above-named young players, and being well matched, a close and exciting game resulted, Jonathan winning by 42 points. The winner's best break reached 55, and the loser's 47. They afterwards played the best of five games at pyramids, Jonathan again proving victorious, winning the first by 3, second by 7, and third by 9 balls. A table by Messrs. Burroughes and Watts was used for the occasion.
WHAT may be termed the opening exhibition match of the season for the East End of London took place on Wednesday evening last at the Spa Tavern, Spa Road, Bermondsey, between the above-named players, Taylor conceding 150 points in 1,000.
It was nearly half-past eight before the game commenced. After a miss on either side, Taylor put the red down and left his ball in position for the spot stroke, which he manipulated 27 times in succession, the break numbering 91. Before Evans did anything of note, Taylor added 28, when the first-named ran up 36 (5 spots), and shortly afterwards 64, 48, and 20. Taylor's largest contribution in the meantime being 79 (9 spots). Evans then rattled up 45, 33, 30, and smaller contributions, his opponent putting on 18, 24, and 35, the game at the interval being announced, Evans 527, Taylor 485. At 9.40 play was resumed. Taylor, with breaks of 59 (4 spots) and 39 (7 spots), soon closed up the gap, and at 614 took the lead, but did not retain it long, as Evans again got away, and the game was called, Evans 700, Taylor 648. Before the last-named player could do anything of note, Evans made a break of 87 (23 spots), Taylor's best effort resulting in 38, bringing him to 733 against 902. Evans was again busy with breaks of 50, 15, and 11, to which Taylor replied with 20, 25, and 53, reaching 856 to 993, when the receiver of points ran out a winner by 144. J; Stewart officiated as marker in an efficient manner.
A MATCH that created a considerable amount of interest in the town of Dewsbury and its vicinity was played at the Man and Saddle Saloon, on Sept. 23rd, between the above-named celebrated cueists, the champion conceding Kilkenny 250 points in 1,000. After each giving a miss, a few small scores were made, nothing of note being done until the champion ran up 50 by all-round play, to which the Yorkshire champion replied with 75 (23 spots). Roberts then added 26 to his score, and Kilkenny 11, when the former got in position for-the spot, which he did not relinquish until the red had been put down 59 times, the total break amounting to 220.
The Yorkshireman's next effort resulted in a break of 57 by the spot stroke, but Roberts capped this with 96, Kilkenny replying with 20, when his opponent again got in and ran up 86 (18 spots); the game at the interval being called, Roberts 501, Kilkenny 430; this portion having occupied 50 minutes. On recommencing operations, Kilkenny soon began to be busy by making 27, 47 (14 spots), and 86 (28 spots). Roberts's next contribution of note was one of 49 (15 spots), which the Yorkshireman answered with a very pretty all-round break of 60. After the champion had increased his score with 22, Kilkenny made his largest break of the evening— viz., 96 (28 spots), but the champion added a few small breaks, and finally won the game by 80 points. A highly respectable company attended the exhibition, and seemed much pleased with the fine play exhibited.
ON Sept. 24th these players again met, the contest this time taking place at Kilkenny's rooms, the Union Cross Hotel, Halifax, in the presence of a numerous company. The game was 1,000 up, the champion conceding 250 points. No very large breaks were made for some little time, Roberts first getting away with 28, when Kilkenny put on 22, and after a futile attempt on either side, he made 90, in which 29 spots were conspicuous, taking him to 363 against 41. With breaks of 12, 18, and 50, the champion of Yorkshire still got farther away and reached 510 to 88. Roberts then manipulated 86 (25 spots), 96 by all-round play, 40 (11 spots), and 57 in quick succession, bringing the scores much closer, the game being called, Kilkenny 569, Roberts 413. Kilkenny then added some small breaks and a 41, to which the champion replied with 57, 36, 23, and 27, taking him to 629, Kilkenny's total being 75. The last-named now added 26, 38, 34, 34 (9 spots), 46, and reached 990. Roberts's next efforts resulted in 36, 45 (12 spots), and 56 (17 spots), 41, and 54 (15 spots), which brought him to 988, and not scoring at his next attempt, Kilkenny ran out a winner by 11 points, after a most exciting game.
On the following evening the same players again met at Kilkenny's rooms, and played 700 up at billiards, and the best of 9 games at pyramids. In the first match Kilkenny received 150 points start. After a miss from both, Roberts made a cannon, and running up to the top of the table put the red down 18 times in a break of 87, which he shortly supplemented with 105 by all round play, the game being announced—Roberts 217, Kilkenny 183. The last-named then put 41 together (11 spots), the champion answering with 34 (8 spots) and 47 (6 spots). The receiver of points increased his total with breaks of 35 and 59 (5 spots), and reached 345 to 361, but Roberts after this drew rapidly in front, making 81 (15 spots), 21 (6 spots), 50 (15 spots), and 133 (41 spots). In the meantime Kilkenny's largest additions to his score were 23, 23 (3 spots), 20, and 22, which brought him to 456, when the champion finished the game a winner by 244 points.
The pyramids followed, and after some very fine play on the part of both, Roberts won five games to four.
An entertainment was given by these players on Tuesday, the 21st, at the Sale Club, Sale, in the presence of a numerous company. The game was 1,000 up, "Kilkenny receiving 300 points. From the outset Roberts rapidly gained on his opponent by several breaks of between 60 and 70, Kilkenny's best up to the interval being one of 67, when the game was called—Kilkenny 582, Roberts 504.
On resuming hostilities Roberts got in front at 651, but the Yorkshireman was not to be denied, and playing steadily to the end won the game by 125. It was, stated in a contemporary that Roberts won this game, but it is an error.
Five games at pyramids followed, Roberts giving a ball in each, notwithstanding which he won three games to two.
Charles Annis, of Manchester, carefully marked the games.