AN early commencement has been made with this popular North London Tournament, which is in progress at Ye Olde Red Lion, St. John Street Road, Islington. A big list of entries has to be recorded. There is, however, it would appear by the large number of walkovers that have occurred, not quite the interest taken in this handicap by the players that has usually been evinced One looks for an occasional absence of entrants in the first round of handicaps, but nothing equalling the extent to which they have occurred in the tournament under notice.
With a first-class table to play upon—it is one of Messrs.
F. H. Ayres & Sons' manufacture—and a handsome assortment of prizes, this, indeed, seems somewhat singular. It is to be hoped, however, as winter becomes more in evidence, a change for the better will be seen.
The first round, so far as it has gone, has produced the following results:— Mr. C. Besser (receives 175), beat Mr. J. Johnston (rec. 150) by 59 points.
Mr. F. Hoodstan (rec. 130) beat Mr. Bliss (rec. 50) by 114 points.
Mr. J. Leader (rec. 75) beat Mr. J. Doughty (rec. 120) by 35 points.
Mr. W. Goodchild (rec. 130) beat Mr. E. Blisset (rec.
150) by 43 points.
The following gentlemen qualify for the second round owing to the non-appearance of their opponents:—Messrs.
Miley Hall (rec. 115), J. Tapper, jun. (rec. 100), H. Scott (rec. 155), C. A. Harrison (rec. 85), G. Miell (rec. 130).