Record attendances were a feature of the championship of Sunderland billiard match. In three days (two sessions per day) over 3,000 people witnessed the match. The contestants were Sid. Pemberton (who has been champion for 20 years) and Geo. Thompson, who challenged the title in a 3,000-up game with a side stake of £100." Never have I seen such enthusiasm at a billiard match, or, indeed, anywhere else,"writes a correspondent," nor have I seen such keen and close play. At the final session, when Pemberton won by 43 points only, there were quite 1,000 people present in the spacious Victoria Hall."
A movement is on foot in Sunderland to form a local governing body. If this idea matures it will no doubt act as an incentive to other towns to do similarly. The objects will be to rule the game locally, run a tournament for the local championship, and strike a fair distinction between professional and amateur.