RECENT BILLIARD MATCHES

A. BENNETT AND T. TAYLOR FOR £200

THE match of 1,000 up, on a championship table, for £100 a-side, between these players was commenced at the Guildhall Tavern, Gresham Street, City, last evening (Friday). At five minutes to seven Bennett led off, and took a long lead in the first half of the game, reaching 507 to 333, when the interval was announced at live minutes past nine. Play was resumed at thirty-five minutes past nine, when Taylor appeared in much better form, and rapidly reduced his opponent's lead, reaching 700 to 725. Up to this point Bennett's principal breaks were 24, 36, 22, 51, 22, 29, 36, 29, 32, 20, and 20, and Taylor's 33, 49, 29, and 28.

The game was not concluded when we went to press.

COOK AND STANLEY

THESE celebrities met at the Horns Tavern, 1, Hackney- road, on "Wednesday evening last, to play 500 up at billiards, and the best of eleven games at pyramids. The room in which the games were played is one of the finest in London, and is fitted up with every requisite for the comfort both of players and visitors, a fair number of the latter being present on the occasion under notice. From the following account it will be seen that Stanley won both events, beating Cook in the billiards by four points only. Stanley has long been recognised as a player who can never be said to be beaten until the game is actually won, and in this instance he gave a further proof of his nerve and resource at a critical moment. When Cook reached 496 and had an easy spot hazard left, it looked a hundred pounds to a penny on him, as Stanley's score then stood at 384 only; the ex-champion, however, broke down at the stroke referred to, after making a break of 45, Stanley got in and finished the game off the balls, or rather ball, for nearly the whole of his unfinished break of 116 was made off the red.

Play commenced at six minutes past eight by Stanley (who was in receipt of 110 points in 500) giving the usual miss in baulk, his opponent following suit under the right-hand cushion. Stanley then tried for a cannon, but did not score, nor did Cook in his next attempt.

Stanley again failing, the elder player put on 4, and the former replied with 7, when he let in Cook, who made a magnificently played break of 160, which included three, eight, and six spots. The all-round play was simply perfection, and elicited loud applause. This break brought Cook to the fore, the game being called— Cook 166, Stanley 118. The last-named now put on 44 (6 spots), to which Cook replied with 19. Stanley's next two efforts proved abortive, and his opponent only increased his total by 4, 11, and 12, before the former ran up a prettily-played 43 (10 spots), bringing his total to 211 against 213. Cook was next to move with 15, which his antagonist answered with 20, and once more took the lead, but only for a very brief space, as Cook now got well set and rattled up 86, the spot-stroke being conspicuous in this number, as it; was made three, fifteen, and four times in succession. The game was now announced —Cook 314, Stanley 231, a state of affairs which the last-named altered in his next innings with a well and carefully compiled break of 54, principally all-round play, for although he gained position for the spot-stroke on three different occasions, they ended in the red only going down once on two, and twice on the third attempt.

With 18 Cook reached 332 against 285, when Stanley contributed 30 (6 spots), and got within 17 points of the leader, but Cook had the balls well left and did not relinquish until his next instalment numbered 103, a break that included 8 and 23 spots, and took his. total to 435 against 315. Stanley then put together 31 (all round), Cook replying with 14; the former next got in with 34 (2 spots) and the latter with 45 (10 spots), but breaking down at his eleventh when it looked any odds on him, the game was called—Cook 496, Stanley 334.

Stanley now made a few all-round shots, and then got the balls together at the top of the table, and put down the red, leaving his own ball well placed for the spot; but the white was in an awkward position over the right-hand top pocket, leaving very little room for the spot-stroke.

Stanley, however, was equal to the occasion, and put the re! out of sight sixteen times consecutively, when he lost position. He then put down his opponent's ball, and again reaching the top of the table, finished the game with 19 winners, the unfinished break numbering 116.

The result took most of the spectators by surprise, and they expressed their pleasure by loudly applauding the winner. Time of game, 1hr. 9min.

Both men played better than we have seen them for some time past, and the ex-champion has rarely shown to better advantage, as many of his strokes were made with that delicacy and knowledge of strength for which he is justly noted. Stanley, too, was quite in his best form, and although he had one fluke in the middle of the game, the balls broke very badly for him. The averages of both players in this game are far better than have been made in any of the recent matches or in Cook's handicap. Cook scored 496 in 18 innings, giving an average of 27.4. Stanley had 20 innings in the manipulation of his 390, thus averaging 20.4.

The best of eleven games at pyramids followed, Cook conceding 1 ball. Again both players exhibited some first-class form, and Stanley, by the aid of many really fine strokes, secured 6 games to 4.

J. ROBERTS, JUN. (Champion), v. W. COOK

ON Thursday evening the champion and the ex-champion played 1,000 up, at the same establishment at which Cook and Stanley opposed each other on the previous evening. That the meeting of the two best billiard players in the world created a deal of interest at the east end was evident from the fact of every seat in the large saloon being occupied when play commenced at 8.16,, Cook leading off with a miss in baulk, Roberts following with one under the cushion. The first-named then tried at a cannon, but did not bring it off, and the champion got in with 13. Cook now got the balls together, and made a finely-executed break of 116 (15 spots), taking, his total to 117 against 14. Roberts added 3 and (after both failed to score in their next attempts) put on 6 more. Cook then ran up 20. The next four innings only produced 6 from Cook and 7 from Roberts, when the latter added 20, to which Cook replied with 72 (22 spots), and after his opponent had made 21, supplemented this with 65 (9 spots), the champion answering with 48(3 spots). After a couple of small scores on either side, Cook got farther away with a carefully attained break of 50 (14 spots), bringing his game to 336, Roberts standing at 128. The latter's next effort materially improved his position, as it resulted in a break of 168, in which three, fourteen, and five spots were conspicuous, but the all-round play was by far the most admired, and elicited well-deserved applause. After making 168, Cook's ball ran down, and the red being badly placed for scoring, Roberts made a double baulk, from which Cook failed, to increase his total. Roberts then got in with 25, and the game was called—Cook 342, Roberts 321. After a few small breaks on either side, Roberts, with the aid of 33, reached 360 against 365, but breaking down at the tenth attempt at the spot through a miss-cue, the exchampion had another chance, but only made 5, when Roberts, with 21, ran to 381 against 370. Cook now made 42, 33, and 176 in quick succession (the last break containing 47 spots), and reached 621 to Roberts' 402, when the interval took place. On resuming, small breaks on both sides were the order until Cook compiled 41 and 37, making a double baulk at the conclusion of the last-mentioned break. Roberts then improved his score with 83 (21 spots), 35, and 86 (11 spots), the totals being—Cook 748, Roberts 682.

Cook, by some beautiful play, went from 748 to 876, the break numbering 128, towards which the spot contributed 60, having been put down twenty consecutive times. From this point Roberts did but little, and Cook, with 78 (22 spots), and an unfinished break of 46 (10 spots), ran out the winner by 262 points. Exclusive of the interval, the game occupied 2hrs. 19min.

Both players were loudly applauded at the conclusion of the game.

E. PEARCE AND C. MOSS FOR £200

A MATCH between the above players took place at the Salisbury Hotel, St. Helens, on Friday evening last.

Both men are well-known players in local billiard circles, and it will be within the recollection of our readers that they were each entered in the late Post Office Hotel handicap, Pearce succumbing in the early stages of the contest, whilst Moss contested the final heat with J. Ricketts, to whom he was conceding more than half the game, being defeated, after an exciting contest, by four points only. Both Moss and Pearce finding supporters, a match for £100 a-side was made on handicap terms, to take place at the house of Pearce, who is landlord of the hotel above mentioned. In addition to the large stakes, a Bet of £100 to £80 depended on the game, such being the odds which were supposed to exist in favour of Moss winning the match. The game was 1,000 up, and in order that it might be got through sufficiently early, five o'clock was fixed upon as the time for the match to commence. Great interest was 'of course taken in the affair in Manchester sporting circles, and we are quite within the mark when we state that three-fourths of those who were present at the time appointed journeyed expressly to the scene of action from Manchester. As the event proved, sufficient time had not been allowed to get the game over, even had punctuality been observed in commencing it, but not with standing this forty minutes were wasted before a start was made. At length, when the patience of a tolerably large company had been well-nigh exhausted, Pearce presented himself, Moss having been in attendance for some time. Considerable asperity marked the commencement of the proceedings.

Pearce was not satisfied with the set of balls that it was proposed to play with, and at length a set provided by the stakeholder, W. Fielding, of the Post Office Hotel, was agreed upon. Some squabbling then ensued upon the question of the start that was to be conceded to the St. Helens player. In the Post Office Hotel Handicap, the heats of which were 200 up, Moss was 35 behind scratch, and Pearce 10 behind scratch. In calculating the points to be conceded in 1,000 up, Pearce maintained that he was entitled to 105 points and a fraction over, and after considerable disputation Moss conceded the odd point, Pearce thus starting with 106 to the good, he betting at the start was 10 to 8 on Moss, and the latter's play in the first hundred seemed to augur that he would by-and-by overtake his opponent. However, Pearce, after a time, not only regained his ground, but drew still farther away, until the odds were reversed, and before the company dispersed 5 to 1 was offered on Pearce, without response. Still the fortunes of the game so fluctuated that about the middle of the evening Moss was within 40 of his opponent, but the never seemed to play with confidence, and lost ground more rapidly than he gained it. Pearce played with tantalising slowness, and must be held chiefly responsible for the late hour at which the match concluded. So monotonous was the play at one part of the time that many of those chiefly interested made their escape to the regions below, and might have been found smoking their pipes and drinking their grog in the bar parlour whilst their representatives were laboriously compiling fragmentary breaks. In the large room aforesaid, singing was going forward for a copper kettle, and we did hear that a well-known backer of Pearce made the rafters ring with his vocal powers, and ran a gentleman in clogs a very close race for the kettle.

The lion in the menagerie seemed to be posted up as to the progress of the game, and roared apparently every time a cannon was made; and the band, which played all kinds of tunes, from snatches of "Madame An got" to the "Old Hundred," burst out occasionally into joyful strains, as it appeared to us, every time a break of double figures was made. Pearce was in his eighth century when the visitors from Manchester had to leave to catch the train, Moss being then almost hopelessly in the rear.

The game was continued, however, until the close, Pearce winning by 62 points, after Moss, who played with more spirit when no longer subjected to the "chaffing " of a crowd of spectators, had run him very close at one time. We append a detailed report of the match:— Very little was done on either side at the commencement, but at last Moss went away with 26, which he followed up with 10, and, after 18 from Pearce, some very fragmentary play ensued until Moss put on two twelves in succession. When the game stood—Pearce 149, Moss 99, the former had a nice little series of eight spot hazards, the break realising 35, and, Moss failing to reply, Pearce again had a run at the spot, which stroke he made seven times in succession, and added 32 to his score. Moss then put on 11, and the game was called— Pearce 226, Moss 110. There was a perceptible revulsion of feeling in the speculation, and Pearce, playing with increased confidence, made another break of 19, holing his opponent's ball at the outset, and getting the rest in losing-hazards off the red. Shortly afterwards he had another chance, both balls being left over the middle pockets, but out of this he only made nine. 10 to 8 was now offered on Pearce, the game being called— Pearce 266, Moss 127. The latter now put on 19, his opponent replying with 10, and, after a 12 from Moss, things looked a little better for him, the game being called—Pearce 299, Moss 179. A well-played 32 from Moss now gave his backers renewed confidence, and for the next forty minutes luck seemed to be on the turn. Breaks of 13, 10, 16, and 13 by Pearce elicited small but useful contributions at nearly every innings from Moss, though his best breaks were 11, 17, 14, 11, and 12. The game at length stood—Pearce 427, Moss 378, and the friends of the latter were once more jubilant. Moss's play, however, was throughout very tame, and more spirit and confidence would probably have told m re effectually in the long run. Certain it is that from this point he gradually fell more and more into the rear, and opposed only the most microscopic contributions to Pearce's breaks, which were, by comparison, of a most formidable character. An 11 from the latter was speedily followed by 44-, the break of the evening. Getting on to his favourite spot-stroke he holed the red six times in succession, failing at the seventh attempt, but his ball rolling into the middle pocket he again tried for position.

This time, however, he unintentionally scored two by putting down his opponent's ball, and nothing was then left but to try for a double baulk, which resulted in the red being left just outside the line. The game now stood—Pearce 508, Moss 405. The latter now scored seven, and left the balls for his antagonist, who rattled the reel down six times in succession, and increased his lead by 24. A 16 from Moss was responded to by 12 from mine host, and after some unimportant breaks on both sides Pearce got the balls in a knot at the baulk end of the table, the red being between the white balls.

Giving them a smart push he obtained a cannon, and left the red over the left-hand bottom pocket. Putting it down, he brought his own ball to the other end of the table, and went in again for the spot-stroke, but after putting down the red ball three times he failed at the fourth attempt in consequence of a miss-cue. The break realised 18. Fourteen and ten were Moss's best contributions until an interval was called about half-past nine, when the game stood as follows:—Pearce 630, Moss 500. Upon play being resumed Moss hit out more freely, but ill luck stuck to him like a poor relation, and after some very tedious play on both sides Pearce once more got to the top of the table and went from 661 to 688 in a break of 27, which included eight consecutive spot hazards. The cue now seemed totally unproductive in Moss's hands, and when the game was called—Pearce 701, Moss 555, his chance was looked upon as altogether hopeless. By this time ten o'clock had struck, and the Manchester division found it necessary to make for the train, which left at 10.25. Both players were, however, desirous of finishing the match the same evening, and play was continued after the visitors/had left, Moss at one time getting within eighteen points of the winner, the game being called—Pearce 840, Moss 822. During this latter part of the game, Pearce made a break of 45, inclusive of 14 consecutive spot hazards, and prior to this Moss, whose play had much improved, put on two useful contributions of 35 and 30 respectively.

The game, which finished at a quarter-past twelve, having occupied, inclusive of the brief interval, six hours and thirty-five minutes, was eventually won by Pearce by 62 points.—Sporting Chronicle.

G. MARTIN AND S. HUTCHINSON FOR £200

Ox Monday the above players met in the Cotton Waste Exchange, Market-place, to play a game of 500 up, level, for.€100 a-side. Martin is a well-known local cueist, and is the son of the late George Martin, the former lessee of the Royal Oak Park; and Hutchinson is an amateur of some note in local billiard circles.

Both are quite young men, whose talents as players are still far from matured. The admission was by ticket, and when proceedings commenced, about a quarter past seven, there was a large attendance. The betting at the start was 11 to 10 on Hutchinson, and the play was singularly even throughout, though, owing to the excessive caution displayed by both performers, it must be pronounced rather tame and monotonous. Soon after starting, Martin got nicely away with two breaks of 29 and 18 respectively, the game then standing—Martin 50, Hutchinson 10, The latter then put on 22, which he soon afterwards followed up with 10 and 16; and Martin in the meantime being comparatively idle, the game was called—Hutchinson 60, Martin 56. A nine from each was succeeded by very fractional play, the monotony being at length broken by another nine from Martin, who thus entered the second hundred, the game then being—Martin 105, Hutchinson 99.

Nothing worthy of note, except 16 and 13 from the latter, was contributed for some time, until Martin obtained two very difficult cannons and was favoured by a corresponding number of glaring flukes, which together added 13 to his score. This brought the game to—Martin 200, Hutchinson 185. Subsequently it was called 237 all, after which 20 and 11 from Martin again gave him a moderate lead for a time. On entering the fourth century, however, Hutchinson again passed him, but Martin quickly equalised matters, and 305 all was called. The play for the remainder of the game was of the same singularly level character, and it would be wearisome to recapitulate the details of the contributions. During the next hundred 14 and 19 were Hutchinson's best additions, and 18 was Martin's only noteworthy break. The game was now called—Hutchinson 405, Martin 396, and subsequently 426 all. Afterwards Hutchinson reached 472 to Martin's 469, and kept the lead for the remainder of the game, which towards the finish became, - in consequence of the very even nature of the play, of a very exciting character. Hutchinson at length went from 483 to 497 with a 14 break, Martin being 473. Hutchinson now gave a miss, from, which Martin cleverly cannoned, but the red being subsequently left over the pocket, Hutchinson put it down amidst the cheers of his supporters, winning the game by 23 points. The final score stood as follows:— Hutchinson 502, Martin 477. The game, which occupied three and three-quarter hours, was played on a new table by Orme and Sons, and was excellently marked by that most reliable chronicler, W. Cavanah.—- Sporting Chronicle.

KILKENNY v. H. WORTLEY

THESE players competed twice during the present week —the first game taking place at Wortley's Rooms, the Old Bed Lion Hotel, Burnley. The Yorkshire champion conceded 400 points, but was defeated by upwards of 200, Wortley playing very well and making one break of 103 (23 spots). The following night the match was

played at the Liberal Club, Nelson, when Wortley again won, but this time only by 14 points. In this instance the table was out of order, and neither player made a break of above sixty.