THESE players met to contend in an exhibition match of 1,000 up (Morris receiving 300 points start), on Thursday, Sept. 30th, at Mr. Neave's, the Prince Arthur Tavern, Forest Road, Dalston. It was close upon nine o'clock before the balls were broken, and for sometime no break worthy of notice was made by either cueist, In the second hundred Bennett managed to make breaks of 29, 20, and 22, and Morris 12, 23, 18, and 22, which brought the last-named player to 498 against 211.
Morris then added to his score 15, 21, 13, and 17,. and reached 608, Bennett, with 32, 14, and 24, reaching 340, and his opponent not scoring, again let him in, when he ran up 56 by all-round play, and with minor additions increased his score to 507, Morris in the meantime having got to 716, 19 and 46 being his largest contributions. After 27 from Morris, Bennett quickly put on 16, 21, 32, and 37, and at the interval the game was called, Moms 816, Bennett 707. On a resumption of play, Morris added 14, 26, and 34, to which his opponent replied with 24,16, and some smaller breaks, and soon after made the largest break of the evening— viz., 83, by all-round play. Morris now manipulated a very useful 53, taking him to 921 against 892.
Bennett made a few small contributions to his score, and the game was announced 942 all; after which minor additions on either side brought the receiver of points to 985, when Bennett ran out the winner by 15 points, the game (including the interval) having occupied 3 hours and 45 minutes. The table was anything but level, and dead against the players, which will in some measure account for the absence of many large breaks.
ON Tuesday, October 5, there was a very good attendance of spectators at the Pegasus Hotel, Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, to witness a match at billiards, 500 up, and the best of eleven games at pyramids, between the above-named well-known players. The billiards -were played first, Stanley conceding his opponent 100 points start. Richards was not long in adding to this 18, 40, 20, and 25, Stanley in the meantime only making three small breaks, took the receiver of points to 304 against 96, when Stanley got position for the spot stroke, which he manipulated 18 times in a break of 81; this he followed up with 20 and 18, but afterwards the balls broke badly for him, and Richards playing in fine form increased his lead, principally by all round play, some of his cannons eliciting loud applause, and won the game by 40 points. The pyramids followed; Richards secured the first three games, Stanley took the next two, and Richards the next three. The games were carefully marked and audibly called by John Pain, the manager of the saloon. A new table by Messrs. Cox and Yeman was used for the occasion.
A GRAND entertainment was given last night by Mr. Clarke, the spirited landlord of the Bedford Hotel, who had engaged the well-known player, Harry Evans, from London, to meet a gentleman amateur in a match of 700 points up. Mr. Evans conceded a start of 250. At a quarter to eight play commenced before a numerous company. The usual misses for safety were given, and then Evans got in and manipulated a fine break all round the table of 87; he soon followed up with 52, 69, and 31, and nearly caught his opponent, who had up to this time played with bad luck. He, however, "pulled himself together," and with breaks of 41, 25, and 19, was soon well ahead again. The game rapidly progressed, and Mr. Evans showed the company some very delicate play, making several "nursery" cannons and keeping the balls in play with consummate skill. The amateur was not idle either, and, though making no large break, he managed to hold his own till the last 100, when Evans went out with an unfinished break of 28, winning the match by 56 points only. Both players were loudly applauded, and we venture to say that no match of equal interest has ever before been played in Bognor. The arrangements in the room were excellent, Mr. Clark having gone to considerable expense in fitting up seats for the comfort of spectators. "We believe it is his intention to arrange one or two similar matches during the winter. Both players expressed their admiration of the table, which is one of Burroughes and Watts's best. Lovers of billiards will look forward to another such treat as that of last evening.