After a series of surprising results the Institute handicap came to an end, when Mr. H. Down (rec 25) beat Mr. J. Meacher (rec 25) in the final by the broad margin of 150 - 108. The winner played a consistent and rapid game, scoring 15 and several 10 and 12 breaks, and easily defeating his opponent. The highest break of the handicap is claimed by Mr. G. Hinton, who has 25 to his credit.
A handicap recently concluded at the Batley Adults' School was won by Mr. W. Ashwell, Mr. F. Smith winning second prize.
The Christmas Billiard Handicap at the Conservative Club has this year produced very pleasant and exciting competitions, under the arrangements of Mr. G. H. Holmes, the energetic hon. secretary of the handicap committee. Singularly enough, three brothers were the last three in the handicap proper. The order of winning was: - Handicap: F. Welch, H. Welch, L. Welch, W. H. Mitchell, J. A. McDonald, J. W. Beresford, Dr. Brownlow Smith, C. D. McLean, Edgar Pym, W. Staples, W. Hitchcock, A. Staniforth, R. Stone, J. A. Beresford, J. R. Bur-rows, and A. Moreton. Consolation: W. H. Woodhouse, F. Holbrook, J. Allsop, J. S. Webster, H. Jackson, G. Pym, C. B. Bint, H. Gillett, J. W. Haynes, F. Haynes, J. Johnson, F. Hall, B. C. Barker, M. Neaum, W. J. Parker, and J. Hartopp. Others received smaller prizes.
Mr. A. J. Browne, who was once runner-up for the Amateur Championship, and Mr. R. Burgess, of Bourne- mouth, played a game of 500 up at the Hotel Metropole recently, the local champion securing the victory by 170 points. The best breaks were: Mr. Browne, 50, 40, 48, and 53; Mr. Burgess, 56, 65, 92, and 101 (unfinished), the last including a fine run of 99 off the red ball.
The Bradford amateur championship was brought to a conclusion recently at the "Imperial" Hotel, Bradford. Mr. J. Cockcroft, who was the winner in the final round of this year's tournament, challenged the holder of the trophy, Mr. A. W. Heap, and gained an easy victory over him. Mr. Heap had held the championship for two years, but on this occasion Mr. Cockcroft made his 500 while the holder was making 281. The latter seemed unable to play his best game, whilst Mr. Cockcroft showed excellent form. One of his breaks ran up to the high figure of 76. The prizes were presented by Mr. J. Kendall, who handed Mr. Cockcroft the silver cup and a gold medal, and also the set of balls used in the tournament. Mr. Heap and Mr. Arthur Bartle (one of the finalists) each received a cue and case.
The annual "smoker" in connection with, the Clydach (Swansea Valley) Institute's Christmas tournaments was held in the institute's billiard room, Mr. W. J. Percy Player, who was supported by Mr. E. Martin Player, presided over a large gathering of members. During the evening the chairman distributed the prizes to the tournament winners as follows: - Senior billiard division - 1, E. Davies, The Square; 2, W. Ivor Jones, Down Street; 3, D. Thomas, Brynheulog. Junior billiard division - 1, G. J. Griffiths, The Buildings; 2, J. Francis, Heolcae; 3, T. Harry, High Street.
The annual -handicap at the Consett Reading and Recreation Rooms in the Town Hall was concluded recently. There were over sixty entries and in the final heat Norman Brown repeated his success of last year. Owing 90, he beat Elsom Brown, who received 15, by 68. The winner made breaks of 24, 52, 35, and 27, the latter three successively. He compiled 100 points while his opponent put on 6. Of the big break, 38 were made off the red and 30 were scored off the red in the 35 break. The winner was heartily cheered. F. Lawson, owing 50, was third.
On Thursday evening last, in the Conservative Rooms, Grangemouth, J. Rae, of the Palace Rooms, Glasgow, played four games of 200 points each with members of the club. He conceded 100 points in each game, winning two and losing two.
The championship of the Horsham Institute, for the silver rose-bowl, kindly presented for competition by the Vicar, was practically brought to a close by a game between H. Bentley and W. Greenfield. Considerable interest was manifested in the match (250 up), as both players have an unbeaten record. The opening stages showed very poor play on both sides, each being apparently over anxious. At the end of the first 100, however, Greenfield found his touch, and put on several useful breaks. This evidently caused an improvement in the play of Bentley, and the remainder of the game showed some good work by both men. The difference in the scores was never very great, and the competitors were level at the end of the second 100. Bentley then got away, and with the score standing at 130 - 215 in.his favour, he ran to game with an unfinished 21. Bentley thus secures the handsome trophy for the next twelve months. The Silver Subscription Handicap Cup was won by the same player last June.
A very successful smoking concert was held in the Liberal Club Room, Market Rasen. The proceedings commenced with the final tie of the Christmas Handicap of 150 up, the contestants being Mr. H. J. Bray (owing 70) and Mr. F. Brumpton (owing 30). The game proved a very one-sided affair, as after each player had cleared off his points the scores stood 50 all^ the final scores being: Bray 150, Brumpton 81. The third and fourth prizes were taken by Mr. P. Lill and Mr. E. Gilford. The prizes were presented by Mr. J. Marshall, who presided in the absence of Mr. J. G. Glew, president of the club.
The final tie in the Christmas Handicap at the Conservative Club was decided recently, when J. Whittaker (Spring Terrace) beat J. Gill by 100 to 83. Whittaker received 30 and Gill 5. J. Kay was the winner, of the third prize..The first prize was given by Major A. T. Porritt, the second by Sir John G. Lawson, and the third by Mr. J. Waterhouse.
An exhibition game was played recently at the Institute between Messrs. R. Thomas and C. L. Taylor, of Penzance, before a large and very appreciative gathering. The highest breaks were 32 and 35 by Mr. Thomas, and 42, 45, and 48 by Mr. Taylor. Scores: - Mr.'Taylor, 600; Mr. Thomas, 552.
The first round of the Shropshire Licensed Victuallers' Tournament at the "Queen's" Hotel, Shrewsbury, was brought to a close with an exciting contest between Mr. C. Kerry, of the "Shakespeare" Vaults, Shrewsbury, and Mr. F. Burgess, of the "Exchange" Hotel, Shrewsbury. Both players started off the sixty mark, and although Burgess went to the front and maintained the lead until he wanted seven points only, Kerry won by means of a pretty break of 31, the final scores being: - Kerry, 250; Burgess, 243. The draw for the second round resulted as follows: - Mr. Smith, "Elephant and Castle," Dawley, v. Mr. Coleman, "Royal" Vaults,, Shrewsbury; Mr. Hopper, The Brewery, Ellesmere, v. Mr. E. B. Kersley, "Unicorn" Hotel, Shrewsbury; Mr. Chas. Kerry, "Shakespeare" Vaults, Shrewsbury, v. Mr. Downes, "Talbot" Hotel, Dawley; Mr. Everett, "Victoria" Hotel, Ellesmere, v. Mr. Menzies, "Dun Cow," Shrewsbury; Mr. Rusling, "Old Gullett," Shrewsbury, v. Mr. W. Gough, "Market" Vaults, Shrewsbury; Mr. C. Pitchford, "Bull's Head," Wellington, v. Mr. J. A. Morris "Swan" Inn, Coleham Head, Shrewsbury; Mr. Downes, "Nelson" Hotel, Wellington, v. Mr. Bryne, "Osborne" Hotel, Oswestry; Mr. Nutter, "Bear" Hotel, Hodnet, v. Mr. Pitchford, "Barley Mow," Newport. The only heat in the second round played last week took place on Wednesday, the competitors being Mr. Coleman, Shrewsbury, and Mr. Smith, Dawley. Coleman obtained the lead at the onset, and although on three or four occasions the Dawley man practically caught him up, Coleman kept in front until the close, Smith almost standing.still after Coleman turned 200. Final scores: - Coleman, 250; Smith, 218.
An exhibition game of 4,500 up took place last week at Harris's Hotel, between W. Cook and W. Doherty, the latter being in receipt of 2,000 points start. Cook made a brilliant struggle on the last day, but failed to win in the time limit, the game being abandoned when he had got to within 98 points of his opponent, the scores being: Doherty (rec 2,000), 4,343; Cook, 4,245. Cook was responsible for capital contributions of 204, 156 (twice), 159, 120, 117, 115 (twice), and 130, Doherty's highest runs being 55, 49 (twice), 47, and 45. On Saturday last the same players contested a game of 1,500 up, Doherty receiving a start of 500 points. Cook amassed a fine break of 244, and proved an easy winner by 396 points. Final scores: Cook, 1,500; Doherty (rec 500), 1,104.
The Christmas handicap in connection with the Willows Catholic Club came to a conclusion recently, when Mr. J. Moxham beat Mr. M, Smith by just a couple of points in a hundred up. In the final for the consolation prize, another interesting finish was seen after a keen game, Mr. J. Singleton just winning by three points.
The final stages of a tournament which the police had been holding were played off recently in the recreation room at the Station. There were fifty-one entrants, and the heats were 250 up. The winners of the four handsome prizes were: 1, P.C. Field; 2, Station Sergt. Barber; 3, P.C. Handford; 4, P.C. Draper.