GAMES AND RECORDS

Tom Reece's 653, made on the first day of his match with Inman, at Messrs. Thurston's, is his eighth break of over 500 this season, this number exactly equalling the combined total of "500" breaks compiled by all the other English players. The other figures are 692 (his record), 669, 622, 619, 523, 516, 501. George Gray has now made seventeen breaks of over a thousand, ranging from 1,024 to 1,576, both these, curiously enough, having been compiled against George Nelson. His first run of a thousand was 1,143, made in London against Lovejoy, since when he has 27 times set up new figures.

Another recent record at the Grand Salon, Leicester Square, is Walter Lovejoy's 445, made against Harverson. This is not quite the highest break the ex-amateur has credited himself with, for, as most people will remember, he made a number of big cradle cannon breaks some seasons back, and was indeed guilty of the introduction of the wearisome business. His latest break is, however, his best under B.C.C. Rules, and, apart from its size, was a very pretty piece of work.

SPORTING PRESS HANDICAP

M. INMAN v. T. REECE

At Messrs. Thurston's, Reece and Inman occupied the week March 6th - 12th with a level game of 9,000 up for £25 a side. It may at once be said that the game was the best by far of the many that have been fought between these keen rivals, both as regards the quality of the play and the manner in which it was contested. Unfortunately it proved of too great a length to allow of a definite conclusion, the draw, however, being quite in Reece's favour.

The best breaks were: — Reece: 653, 370, 373, 344, 304, 339, 231, 361, 255. Inman: 419, 363, 337, 239. Final scores: — Reece 8,795 Inman 8,315

M. INMAN v. T. AIKEN

The Scottish Champion, T. Aiken, has frequently demonstrated the fact that he is little, if anything, inferior in ability to any of our leading cueists, and he emphasised this with considerable fores in his game with Inman at Messrs. Thurston's. The latter, in endeavouring to concede a start of 1,500 in 9,000 found himself faced with an exceedingly uphill task, which he was in nowise able to accomplish, Aiken, who throughout played magnificent billiards, winning by a margin which exceeded by 46 points the number conceded to him.

Final scores: Aiken (rec. 1,500) 9,000 Inman 7,454

W. LOVEJOY v. CECIL HARVERSON

These players engaged in a game of 8,000 up at the Grand Salon, Leicester Square, Lovejoy receiving a start of 1,250. During the match Lovejoy was successful in making a break of 445, which is his record under the rules of the B.C.C. The game was abandoned as a draw, the closing scores being: — Harverson 7,244 Lovejoy (rec. 1,250) 6,759

This nourishing and popular event, which is run at Thurston's in the interest of the Newspaper Benevolent Fund, to which it annually subscribes the sum of over £50, was this season a greater success than ever, attracting an entry of over 300 journalists. In the final Mr. G. J. Groves, a well-known member of "The Sportsman's staff, who has represented Notts, on the cricket field and Sheffield United at the winter game, scored a popular win over Mr. J. E. Fyfield, of the"Racing Specialist", thus securing the handsome 25-guinea prize presented by Mr. Robert Topping. The success of these gentlemen is particularly pleasing in view of the fact that they have both for several years done excellent work in the organisation of this event.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE MIDLANDS

WALTER OSBORNE v. E. C. BREED

Walter Osborne, of Leicester, who for many years has held the Championship of the Midlands, has at last had to yield up the title to the ex-amateur, E. C. Breed, as the result of a game of 8,000 up, played at the George Hotel, Leicester, from February 13th to 15th.

The contest was an extremely interesting one, and at the finish only 641 points separated the two players. By winning this game, and with it the title of Champion of the Midlands, Breed has only confirmed the good impression which he had previously made, and it is not improbable that, given sufficient opportunity, he will eventually make his mark in the foremost ranks of professional cueists.

Final scores: Breed 8,000 Osborne 7,360

W. PINDAR v. J. HARRIS

In this match of 7,000 up level at Hull, Harris defeated Pindar by 585 points, although the loser, who is a very promising young cueist, made many fine breaks.

MESSRS. BURROUGHES AND WATTS' PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT

FIFTEENTH HEAT: H. W. STEVENSON v. E. DIGGLE

In this heat Stevenson played brilliant billiards, and by defeating Diggle deposed the latter from the commanding position which he had previously held.

The following were the leading breaks:—Stevenson: 244, 285, 333, 552, 308, 249, 254, 245 and 270.

Diggle: 249, 362, 236, 393, 301, 223, 284 and 243.

Final scores: Stevenson (scratch) 9,000 Diggle (rec. 1,000) 8,695

SIXTEENTH HEAT: M. INMAN v. C. HARVERSON

In this heat Inman succeeded in defeating Harverson, to whom he was conceding 1,250 points, by the useful margin of 531. Leading breaks:— Inman: 304, 237, 313, 273, 332 and 515. Harverson: 272, 304, 232, 315, 226 and 253.

Final scores: Inman (rec. 1,000) 9,000 Harverson (rec. 2,250) 8,469

SEVENTEENTH HEAT: H. W. STEVENSON v. T. REECE

In thits heat Stevenson continued to show the splendid form which enabled him to defeat Diggle, and with Reece somewhat below par throughout the week, the champion ran out an easy winner by 1,148 points. Leading breaks: Stevenson: 436, 452, 244, 236, 307, 278, 263 and 575.

Reece: 212 and 219.

Final scores: Stevenson (scratch) 9,000 Reece (rec. 2,250) 7,852

EIGHTEENTH HEAT: E. DIGGLE v. C. HARVESON

Diggle played exceptionally good billiards in this heat, particularly during the concluding stages, and although Harverson, by steady perseverance, succeeded during the penultimate session in getting to within 42 points of his opponent, after being over 300 behind, Diggle once more displayed remarkable form at the last session, and ran out a winner by the handsome margin of 957 points. The best breaks during the week were: Diggle: 250, 278, 341, 260, 206, 283, 344, 305, 268, 397, 331 and 300. Harverson: 231, 264, 211, 257 and 240.

Final scores: Diggle (rec. 1,000) 9,000 Harverson (rec. 2,250) 8,043.

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