Some Notes on Affiliated Billiard Associations
Turning nearer home, we have, of course, a number of Associations affiliated to us throughout the length and breadth of Great Britain. The most important of these, in their respective spheres of influence, are the Scottish Amateur Billiard Association (the governing body of the game across the Border) and the Welsh Billiard Association, which is responsible for its government within the Principality. The activities of the Scottish Association were suspended during the great war, and no competition for the Amateur Championship of Scotland has been promoted since; but this Championship, which was immensely successful and popular in pre-war days, is fairly certain to be revived next season.
Just before leaving, on his return to Australia, Mr. J. R. Hooper, the amateur champion of Australia, kindly demonstrated, especially for The Billiard Player, his method of making the masse stroke, which is identical with that of the best professional players. Note especially the position of each hand in relation to the cue.
By the Welsh Billiard Association ten entries were received for the Welsh Amateur Championship. This competition was held at the end of March, at Messrs.
Burroughes & Watts's Hall, Cardiff, and the holder of the title is again Mr. J. Cable, of Abertillery, who took part in the Amateur Championship of England some years ago.
He was not seen at his best upon that occasion, as he was at that time serving as a driver in the Army Service Corps, and the handling of stubborn Army mules had somewhat spoilt his delicacy of touch; but he was nevertheless able to give a very creditable account of himself. No challenge has been received for the Professional Championship of Wales, which is at present held by Tom Carpenter.
The Amateur Billiard Association of the Midlands reported a record entry of twenty-four competitors for the Amateur Championship of the Midlands at Birmingham. The entrants included three competitors in the recent Amateur Championship of England, Messrs. J. G. Taylor, J. Seaman, and M. J. Vaughan (Amateur Snooker Champion), so that the standard of play promised to be of a good order. The result will be found on another page.
The Amateur Billiard Association of Liverpool and District, and the Amateur Billiard Association of Cornwall are also included in our list of affiliated Associations, whilst last year the Committee of the Dover and District Amateur Championship became duly affiliated.
It is somewhat remarkable that we have no affiliated Association or League in Ireland, and owing to the unsettled state of Irish affairs there appears no immediate prospect of the Amateur Championship of Ireland, played prior to the war, being revived.