THESE celebrated players met on Wednesday at the Fighting Cocks, Moseley, where a new and commodious billiard room has been opened by Mr. John Fletcher, and played a game of 1,000 up, Cook conceding 300 points.
Bennett broke, and after an exchange of misses, the former opened well with 47 by all-round play. Several small breaks followed in quick succession, and after three-quarters of an hour's play the game was called— Bennett 482, Cook 137. Cook's losing hazards and cannons were exceedingly fine, but the balls broke very badly for him in the early part of the game. Bennett's play showed great improvement upon that he exhibited with Reynolds last week. He rapidly ran away from his formidable opponent, and when the marker called Bennett 642, Cook 194, it seemed on the cards that the Birmingham man would win by his points. But the "glorious uncertainty" of the game was proved next break, when Cook went in, and made 102 in grand style, including 13 spots.
Bennett replied with some small but useful additions, and the figures stood at—Bennett 700, Cook 332. The Londoner put on 54 by all-round play, but the Midland champion responded with 55, and shortly afterwards capped that with a magnificent all-round break of 85— his largest contribution during the evening. On an adjournment taking place at 10 o'clock the game was announced—Bennett 862, Cook 482.
After the interval Cook began to gain rapidly, and reached 573, while Bennett put together 18. Cook further increased his score by 39, Bennett making 15 and 27, the respective scores being 928 and 615. After experiencing several disappointments on his favourite position, the ex-champion, after scoring 52 by some good all-round play, planted himself on the spot and holed the red sixteen times, breaking down at the seventeenth, with a break of 100. Nothing noteworthy occurred afterwards. Bennett, playing as steadily as ever, continued to make leeway, and ran out at 10.40, leaving Cook at 753.
A splendid new table by Messrs. Burroughes and Watts was used for the occasion. The game was correctly marked by John Balfe, of London.