IN reference to the above society, in answer to numerous inquiries, we can only say that we are not in possession of any information regarding it, but shall be very happy to publish any that those interested in its welfare may forward to us. If, as its name implies, it is for the benefit of billiard markers who from illness, age, or other causes are in need of temporary assistance, it is undoubtedly an institution well worthy of every support.
Its eighth Annual Meeting took place on Wednesday evening at Smith's Billiard Rooms, 303, Strand, when the following matches took place:-
In the presence of a good company these two players commenced at a quarter to seven, and the victor of the previous evening (Taylor) conceded his opponent a start of 40 points in a game of 400 up. Throughout the early part of the play there was nothing of an exciting character forthcoming from either party, but Taylor scored slightly the faster of the two, and with 15, 15, 38, 30, and 37 arrived at 143 to his adversary's 136, the latter's best runs up to this juncture being 33 and 27. Shortly after this the game was called "143 all," but Taylor then failing to increase his score, with a noteworthy break Kilkenny put together 12, 56 (nine and two spots), and 15, which brought him to the fore. Taylor, however, got set at the"spot"for a short time, and by the aid of nine chassepots he accumulated 45, which brought them well together again, but he proved incapable of making another stand until the finish of the game. Kilkenny, on the other hand, improved as he progressed, and when the scores stood at Kilkenny 265, Taylor 255, the former rattled up 33, and Taylor responded with 17, when he lost the white, and gave a safety miss. Off this Kilkenny effected a fine long "jenny," and getting the balls well together, he ran out with a break of 102, obtained by fine all-round play, thus winning the game by 216 in lhr. 15min.
The second game of the evening was between the brothers Bennett, who started on even terms. In the early part of the game A. Bennett held the lead with breaks of 45 and 39, and his brother's best contributions were 24, 20, 26, and 28, which brought the scores to 160 against 136. After this the game was of a somewhat slow character for a considerable period, but ultimately Fred made runs of 22, 20, 23, and 34 (nine spots), during which period his relative failed to execute anything of note, but he made continued runs of an insignificant character, and the game arrived at-Fred 335, against 343. After this the former showed to much the greater advantage of the two, and with contributions of 15 and 42 he ultimately ran out the winner by 35 points. Time, lhr. 35min.
By far the most interest was centred in this game of any during the evening, as it was a contest of champion versus ex-champion, and during the time of play the room was crowded to excess with the admirers of either celebrity, and not only were the seats occupied, but standing-room was scarcely obtainable. Cook augmented his total to 13 against 3, when he commenced playing a magnificent break with alternate stands at the" spot," and before breaking down he ran up to 258 with a well-executed addition of 245 (forty-two spots). Before Roberts could exceed 20 the ex-champion crept up to the top of the table again, and assisted by 44 (thirteen spots), he reached 302 against 39. Roberts after this made several attempts to achieve success, but all to no avail, and Cook, with 96 (fifteen spots) and other smaller runs, went out a winner by 315 in the short time of 37min.
To bring the entertainment to a conclusion these two professionals contested a game of 400 up. The first-named with 62 (ten spots) went away with the lead, but Evans then manipulated the balls in a very fine manner for 128, and thus augmented his total to 198 against 200. Richards then played well until the finish of the game, and with breaks of 40, 39, and 30, he finished a winner by 77, his opponent's best contributions during the meantime being 52 and 18.
T. Taylor will play anyone in England bar two-viz., John Roberts, jun., and W. Cook, on a championship table, l?000 up even, for £100 or £200 a-side; or he will give anyone, bar the two above players, 50 in 1,000 on the ordinary table for a like sum. To play in London within a month of signing articles. A deposit sent to the Sportsman will be immediately covered.