Billiards Association and Control Council Amateur Handicap
The annual amateur handicap promoted by the Billiards Association and Control Council was brought to a conclusion at the Club's headquarters in Cranbourn Street on April 19 last, when Mr. E. Berkeley Ormerod (rec. 325) gained an easy victory over Mr. W. J. Davies (rec. 375) in the final heat, by no fewer than 97 points. The exceedingly close finishes witnessed in several of the heats reflect favourably upon the general accuracy of the handicapping, the second semi-final (between Messrs. W. J. Davies and J. T. Wilkie) being won by a single point, whilst three heats were won by the narrow margin of three points, one by nine, and another by twelve points.
Considerable disappointment was caused by Mr. S. H. Fry's decision to retire from the competition, but, finding that, in the event of being successful in his first heat, his engagements would prevent him from taking further part in the event, he considered it more sportsmanlike to allow his opponent, Mr. W. J. Davies, a walk-over. The latter player enjoyed quite an amount of good fortune in his progress to the final heat, since he drew a bye in the first round, received a walk-over from Mr. Fry in the second, and another walkover from Major R. O. Edwards in the third round.
Mr. Berkeley Ormerod, in addition to securing the first prize, kindly given by Mr. Sydenham Dixon, also carried off the prize given by Mr. Chas. E. Johnson, for the highest proportionate break, with his break of 72, a very praiseworthy performance for a player in receipt of 325 points. The only three-figure break made in the competition was one of 108 by Major H. L. Fleming, mention of which was inadvertently omitted in the report (last month) of his heat with Mr. F. Shepherd. The second prize was given by Mr. L. Stroud, whilst Messrs. G. N. E. Hall-Say and S. Eumorfopoulos kindly provided the two prizes presented to the players beaten in the semi-finals. At the close of the final heat the prizes were formally presented by Mr. G. N. E. Hall-Say (chairman of the Council). Brief details of the competition (the opening stages of which were reported in the April issue of The Billiard Player) are appended:—
V. J. Pulman (rec. 350) beat R. Michaelson (rec. 225) by 21 points. L. Stroud (rec. 125) beat Rev. D. J. Thomas (rec. 250) by 147 points.—Winner's breaks: 42, 38, 32, 23, and 22. E. Berkeley Ormerod (rec. 325), w.o.;
H. V. Iggulden (rec. 290), absent. A. A. Moore (rec. 220) beat Donald Knell (rec. 265) by 3 points. J. T. Wilkie (rec. 300) beat Major H. L. Fleming (owed 50) by 82 points. Winner's best break: 33; loser's: 80, 76, 66, 61, and 36.
T. A. Edge (rec. 340) beat J. Graham Symes (owed 50) by 82 points. The loser made breaks of 54, 46, 39, and 34, the winner's highest being 37.
Dr. C. S. Murray (rec. 300), w.o.; Frank P. Will- cox (rec. 285), absent. W. J. Davies (rec. 375), w.o.; Major R. O. Edwards (rec. 325), absent.
V. J. Pulman (rec. 350) beat L. Stroud (rec. 125) by 217 points. Breaks: winner, 29; loser, 21 (twice) and 20.
E. Berkeley Ormerod (rec. 325) beat A. A. Moore (rec. 220). The winner made a fine break of 72.
J. T. Wilkie (rec. 300) beat T. A. Edge (rec. 340) by 41 points. W. J. Davies (rec. 375) beat Dr. C. S. Murray (rec. 300) by 57 points.
E. Berkeley Ormerod (rec. 325) beat V. J. Pulman (rec. 350) by 25 points.
W. J. Davies (rec. 375) beat J. T. Wilkie (rec. 300) by one point.
E. Berkeley Ormerod (rec. 325) beat W. J. Davies (rec. 375) by 97 points, running to game with a fine break of 42 (unfinished). His next highest break was one of 34.