A MATCH, almost on the eve of the match for the championship, with one of the players for that championship in it, must of necessity be interesting. The attendance, however, at the Sir Richard Peel, Haverstock Hill, on Wednesday evening, was by no means so great as might have been expected. This was probably owing to its having been badly advertised. One of the audience made up, however, for the rest in Captain Webb, who was vociferously cheered during the unusually long interval that took place, which, combined with the late arrival of F. Bennett, made the whole match rather later than it should have been.
The match was 1,000 up, Cook giving 300 points in the 1,000. The play at starting was somewhat slow, but on reaching 126 to Bennett's 388, Cook began to warm to his work, following up a 43 break, to which Bennett replied with 40, with another one of 68. From this point the play proceeded steadily on till the marker, who we regret was not quite so accurate at times as he might have been, called—Cook 353, Bennett 487. Whereupon Cook played a fine break of 143, which was principally by all-round play, as it only contained nine spot hazards, 6 at one turn, and 3 at another.
This fine break was loudly applauded, and shortly after Bennett, by means of 47 (9 spots), reached 542 to Cook's 527, when the interval occurred.
On resuming play, Cook started with a break of 89, including 23 spots; Bennett followed with 38, when Cook made 112 (32 spots). Soon after, a few small breaks following in quick succession, brought him to 761 to Bennett's 642. After another fine break, including several marvellous strokes, of 41, Cook reached 800, Bennett being 682. Whereupon Cook made what we consider the break of the evening—viz., an all-round one of 116. The wonderful delicacy of touch and marvellous knowledge of strength he displayed in making this fine break, prove that Cook is in first-class condition for his encounter on Monday next.
Bennett replied to Cook's final break with one of 42, whereupon Cook, with another of 83, scored the game off the balls, and ran out an easy winner by 251 points.