IT is with great pleasure that we give an account of the match between the above two players, which took place last Tuesday at the Roebuck Hotel, Richmond, as in it W. Cook showed that he is fast recovering that fine form which for so many years delighted the public, and which, he will probably admit, for some few months past he has appeared somewhat to have lost. All great billiard players and cricketers necessarily have intervals and seasons in which their play is not equal to what it is at other times. "e believe one cause of this to be over-play, which has the effect of making men tired of the game. To play billiards to perfection a man must have a certain degree of enthusiasm in the game. "We trust that the play of Tuesday last will soon again be repeated. The game was 1,000, Cook giving 250, the table being a new one by Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, who, we believe, will before long supply another for the same hotel. Taylor played very well at starting, and reached 810 to Cook's 531, when the latter delighted the audience with one of his grand old breaks—viz., 394, including 78 spot hazards; thus reaching 925 to Taylor's 810. The latter player, who was likewise in splendid form, by a series of fine breaks, 53 and 97 being the best, reached 979 to Cook's 925; Taylor's play, so to speak, bringing down the house. A like result awaited Cook's next attempt, as he ran out with a break of 75, thus winning a fine game by only 21 points.
A MATCH between the above players took place at the Guildhall Tavern, Gresham-street, on Wednesday evening last, and was played on the same table (by Messrs.
Burroughes and Watts) as that on which the late handicap was played, which fact makes the play of Hunt the more remarkable in this game. He most certainly justified our remark before the commencement of the handicap, stating that were we obliged to pick a man we should pick Hunt. Hunt, however, in playing so well on Wednesday, and showing himself to be rising a player, makes it the more to be regretted that his play on the evening previous should have been so strangely different.
The representative of the Sportsman held the stakes, which were handed over to the winner after the conclusion of the game. There was some betting, rather considerable in amount, but confined to a few, the whole number of spectators, including the representatives of the press, only amounting to 25.
Collins in the early part of the game played fairly well, making one fine break of 86, and at the interval he led by 79 points. After the interval Hunt played particularly well, as on reaching 666 to Collins's 642 he commenced the break of the evening, his backers exhibiting great confidence in him, as they offered to back him at £10 to £5 when barely 50 ahead. That this confidence was not misplaced was evident from the break, as Hunt, who was "on the spot," made 200 off the ball, the break including 65 spot hazards. On Collins replying with only 3, Hunt in his next break made another fine run of 81. These two breaks virtually decided the game, and Hunt ultimately won by 141 points. Oxford Jonathan scored, and the time occupied by the match was 2 hours 43 minutes.
As has always been the case in previous handicaps, the bringing together of a number of professional players is sure to result in fresh matches. The above match is an instance in point. Kilkenny and Alfred Bennett have often played together with varying success; the match, therefore, on Monday night was eagerly watched by the admirers of both players, the betting at starting being very even. The play at starting was exceedingly slow, each player having had 16 innings when the game had only reached the point of Kilkenny 77, Bennett 73.
Here, however, Bennett began to play better, making two good breaks of 41 and 60, both all-round, in succession, bringing his score up to 174 to Kilkenny's 110.
Soon after Bennett, by means of a series of five breaks, 22, 35, 26, 56, and 36, increased his lead till he reached 435 to Kilkenny's 264, the latter's play being by no means good. Bennett, on the other hand, continued to play well, two consecutive breaks of 29 and 45 enabling him to reach 527 to Kilkenny's 300, and shortly after another of 25 brought his score to 569 to Kilkenny's 307, or 262 points ahead. Here, however, Kilkenny who is famed for playing a losing game well, made a good break of 55, and shortly after a still better one of 99, which brought his score to 463 to Bennett's 588. Bennett only made 3 in reply, when in the next break but one Kilkenny scored 52, thus bringing his score to 518 to Bennett's 599, when the interval was called, the time occupied being 2 hours 10 minutes. On resuming at a quarter past ten Kilkenny contrived to play well, and by means of two breaks of 20 and 43 passed his opponent, reaching 636 to Bennett's 628. Bennett, however, soon repassed him again, and at 701 made a break of 57, which brought his score to 758 to Kilkenny's 653. On Kilkenny reaching 729 to Bennett 773, he made a break of 37, whereupon Bennett scored one of 54. Kilkenny then made two breaks running of 46 and 52, which brought his score to 865 to Bennett"'s 840. After failing to score once, Kilkenny made another good break of 43, thus reaching 899 to Bennett's 849. With a good break of 44 Kilkenny reached 943 to Bennett's 855. The latter then made 38. A few small breaks on either side brought Kilkenny to 996 to Bennett's 942, the latter leaving both "balls in baulk. Kilkenny played with side off the side cushion, made the cannon, and in the next stroke won by 58 points, the game terminating ten minutes before midnight, the whole time of the match being three hours and three-quarters. Messrs. Burroughes and Watts supplied the table, and the game was accurately scored by Oxford Jonathan.
A MATCH between the above players took place at the Coach and Horses, Strand, on Tuesday evening last.
The match seemed to lack somewhat of that excitement which so great a stake would warrant us in expecting.
The best break was one of 69 by Hunt. Hart, however, won the game by 147 points. Like our contemporary, the Sporting Life, we are not aware who held the stakes.