A supplementary match of 3,000 points in six afternoon sessions between Mr. S. H. Fry, the British amateur billiards champion, and Mr. J. R. Hooper, the Australian amateur champion, was, by a happy inspiration of Messrs. Burroughes & Watts, Ltd., and with the kind and ready acquiescence of both great players, concluded at Burroughes Hall, Piccadilly, on February 26, when Mr. Hooper (who had been beaten by Mr. Fry in the semi-final of the amateur championship by 280 in 2,000) now proved the victor by 259 in 3,000.
Nothing better in the interest of international billiards and Empire friendship could have been desired than this happy and singularly even and sporting outcome of Mr. Hooper's visit.
The various stages of the farewell meeting were contested by the two players with all the keenness that had characterized their heat in the championship battle. There were few outstanding breaks during the first instalment, in which the Australian took the honours by scoring 501 to 413 and averaging 16 against 13. The English champion was at his best on the second afternoon, when he had the very fine average of 23 for 588 points, compared with Mr. Hooper's returns of 16 and 428, but again there were no three-figure breaks, though Mr. Fry got very near the coveted mark on two occasions. The third instalment was even; the Australian scoring 510 (average 14.57) and the Englishman 500 (average 14.28), the former making very fine breaks of 139 and 104.
Mr. Fry, however, led by 62 (1,501-1,439), but the positions were reversed at the fourth instalment, when Mr. Hooper, helped by breaks of 138 and 103, scored 561 to 463 for averages of 14 and ii respectively.
Mr. Fry was disappointing on the fifth afternoon, averaging but 9 for 355 points, whilst Mr. Hooper was scoring 502 at the rate of 13 per innings. Mr. Fry made a plucky fight of it over the final lap, and gave his rival some very anxious moments, the former's safety play being as good as it was determined.
Mr. Hooper, however, came through a 2½ hours' session with the honours and eventually gained a well-deserved victory by 259 points, scoring his last 498 points at the rate of 12.3 per innings, whilst Mr. Fry totalled 423 and averaged 10¾.
As a result of the match Messrs. Burroughes & Watts were enabled to hand over the handsome amount of £61 17s. 9d. to the Boy Scouts' Fund.