On Friday, November 16th, two ex World Champions, one professional and one amateur in the persons of Fred Davis, O.B.E. and Herbert Beetham gave a private exhibition at the house of Malcolm Lax. Some forty billiards enthusiasts turned up to sec the play and the proceeds went towards the staging of the Amateur Championship which will be put on again this year by Malcolm at the Cubbington Club, Leamington. If there is anywhere a more beautiful private room than Malcolm's then I have yet to sec it. Comfortable seating, tasteful decorations with lots of very interesting pictures relating to the game, and a superb table. The two veterans played for two hours. Herbert could not get going and the balls ran awkwardly for him, but Fred more than made up for this just missing two century breaks and playing some beautiful strokes. His stance, cue action, and touch seemed as good as ever.
Fred scored more than Herbert but nobody knows or cares how many more. It was a pleasure to sec billiards like this, billiards reminiscent of a golden age in both the professional and amateur game. The evening was rounded off with refreshments and billiards chat. It was that nostalgic sort of occasion that lingers in the memory and at which for a time one can forget the sheer awfulness of the world outside of the billiards room.