The vicar recently distributed at the Institute the prizes won in the handicap. The winners were Messrs. Geo. Walker, H. Bishop, F. Topham, and B. Riden. The room was quite full of young men, and the Vicar commented on how greatly the village was indebted to Messrs. Bearts for having provided such an excellent centre of recreation. Mr. A. A. Williams schoolmaster, proposed a vote of thanks to the Vicar for presiding which was seconded by Mr. D. W. Plunder, and carried.
The handicap at the Liberal Club has recently been concluded. There were 96 entries and the following were successful in winning prizes : - 1, Mr. J. Windle, jun. ; 2, Mr. G. Holmes ; 3, Mr. E. A. Fletcher ; Messrs. W. Hartley, C. Norcross, and J. Dugdale were placed fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively. The winners mark was 15 behind scratch. The handicap was productive of many well-contested games and created keen interest.
G. A. Davies recently visited Bentham, where he contested four games of 400 up, two at the Conservative and two at the Liberal Club. He won the first two games against members of the clubs, to each of whom he conceded 200 points, the first by 30 and the second by 80 points. His opponent in the remaining two games was Dr. Troughton, to whom he conceded 150 in each. Very close contests ensued, Dr. Troughton winning the first game by 4 points and Davies proving successful in the second by 5 points. The professional's chief breaks were 99, 54, 52, and 61.
A game of 750 up took place at the East Kent and Canterbury Conservative Club between Messrs. G. R. Hews and F. J. Gibbs and Messrs. A. Nash and A. A. Andrews. The contest, which occupied about three hours, was won by Messrs. Hews and Gibbs, who scored 750 to their opponents' 704. The individual totals were: Mr. Hews 501 and Mr. Gibbs 243, Mr. Nash 453 and Mr. Andrews 246.
The annual Christmas tournament in connection with the reading-room at Coneysthorpe, near Castle Howard, has just been completed. G. R. Coates heads the list with 1,299 out of a possible total of 1,300. Singular to remark he was only defeated by the player who scored the lowest number of points in the tournament, H. M. Coates, who succeeded in beating him by one point. Each game was 100 up.
Owing to the increasing number of members at the Conservative Club, the Committee have given orders for a new billiard table. The .well-known firm of Messrs. Orme and Sons, Ltd., of Manchester, have been entrusted with the order, and will execute the work at once. The new table will be the standard size, and fitted with all the latest improvements. The club will then have four full-sized tables, three upstairs and one below.
The final of the handicap, open to the members of the Carlton Club, was played off recently between Mr. W. E. Austen (owes 85) and Mr. C. D. Beeston (owes 125).. There was a very good game, Mr. Beeston's play being very consistent. In the first thirty-five minutes he scored 150, which total he brought up to 260 in the hour. His breaks included 33, 29, 25, and 23, while 16. The third prize goes to Mr. J. Gegg (owes 75), who defeated Mr. G. Mackay (owes 45), the latter taking fourth prize. - The handicap at the Dover Commercial Club has been won by Mr. J. Wood (owes 60), who defeated Mr. J. R. Eaton (owed 80) by 14 points. The game for third and fourth prizes has to be played off between Mr. Tatchell (owes 80) and Mr. Smith (owes 60).- The Dover Institute Handicap has been won by Mr. G. Mackay (owed 60), who defeated Mr. E. Fletcher (owed 30), by 24. The third prize goes to Mr. H. Burton (owed 90) and the fourth to Mr. Common (owed 60).
The Christmas Handicap at the Liberal Club was won by Mr. J. Cammish, Queen Street, for the third year in succession. Councillor Maley distributed the prizes.
The billiard room at the Workmen's Institute Hanley Swan, was filled with an appreciative gathering, when W. Smith of the "Belle Vue" Hotel, Malvern, played an exhibition game of 600 up with Mr. T. Dovey, the champion of the club. The professional played a sound and consistent game, and won by 85 points, the final scores being: Smith, 600; Dovey (rec 350) 515. Besides several good breaks, Smith made one of 50, 48 being off the red ball alone after potting the white. At the conclusion of the game Smith gave an exhibition of fancy strokes, including masse cannons, losing hazards, steeplechase cannons, etc
.The handsome full-sized table presented to the members of the Institute by Mr. C. Pettit was opened recently, when Mr. C. Pettit and Mr. C. Le Fevre played a game of 50 up, the former winning. A large number of members were present. Mr. Le Fevre accepted the gift on behalf of the members, several of whom also warmly thanked the donor. The table, which is a 60- guinea one, was supplied and fixed by Messrs. E. J. Riley, Ltd., of Accrington.
A couple of exhibition games of 400 up took place recently at the Working Men's Club between G. A. Davies and members, Davies conceding 200 points in each game. The professional won the first game by 50 points, but was beaten by 100 in the second. His best breaks were 55, 54, 48, and 47.
D. Bree (late head marker " Ship " Hotel, Harrogate) having leased the billiard saloon at the " Black Swan " Hotel, High Harrogate, played an exhibition game of 750 up on Wednesday evening last with G. Nelson (Yorkshire champion) who conceded Bree 200. The saloon was well filled with enthusiastic spectators when the game commenced. During the evening both players showed good form. With his score at 454 Nelson came to the table and made a 96 (84 off the red) and caught his opponent who stood at 541. The Harrogate champion, although 9 points behind, made a faultless 78 break, by steady play added a useful 44, and in the end ran out the winner amid applause by 94 points. His best breaks .were 56, 31, 51, 33, 78, and 44. Nelson's efforts were 68, 47, 113, 59, 96 (84 off red), and 50. Final scores: Bree (rec 200), 750; Nelson, 656. Nelson is not a stranger to Harrogate, though this was his first visit since he has been declared the champion of Yorkshire, and a warm compliment was paid Bree for securing his services.
For some time past a big tournament has been going on in the People's Club and Institute, Kirkcaldy, for a gold watch presented by the Club. The tournament was open to players within a radius of three miles, and was under handicap rules, the heats being 250 up. The tournament has now reached the semi-final stage, the last four players being W. K. Kidd, Institute (rec 100), v. A. Suttie, Dysart (rec 100); J. Smith, Institute (owes 50), v. J. Mitchell, Institute (rec 70). In the first of these ties a splendid game was witnessed. Both players were in good form, and all through play was very close. Both played consistently, and put on several breaks of between 20 and 30. Kidd showed the greater variety of strokes, and played perfect billiards, ultimately winning by 18 points. Scores : - W. K. Kidd, 250; A. Suttie, 232.
A team of eight members from St. Patrick's Club, Kilsyth, recently visited Kirkintilloch, and engaged in a match with the Liberal Club team. The result was a victory for the Kilsyth players by 97 points, the totals being - Kilsyth, 1,104 ; Kirkintilloch, 1,007.
G. A. Davies, of Lancaster, recently visited the West Ward Liberal Club, where he played a couple of games, each of 400 up. In the first contest he conceded the Club steward 200 points and beat him by 100. His opponent in the second game was the well-known amateur, Mr. Vine, to whom he conceded 150 points start. This resulted in a victory for Davies by 50 points. The professional's chief breaks in the two games were 85, 78, 56, 47, 45, 44, 43, 42, 41, and 40 (three times). He subsequently gave a display of trick and fancy strokes, which was much appreciated.
Two games between F. Bateman and Geo. Tuxworth, of Penarth, were played recently at the " Royal" Hotel. The games were each of 750 up, Bateman conceding 300 in each case. The first was played in the afternoon before a big company, and ended in a win for Tuxworth by 145 points. Bate-man's best breaks were 133 and 128, and Tuxworth's 65, 47, and 44. A large company was present again in the evening. Play opened slowly, but eventually Tuxworth went away with a break of 49, and Bateman replied with 42, but broke down at a rather easy red loser at the top pocket. His next essay, however, resulted in a prettily-played break of 76. The interval score was : Tuxworth, 550; Bateman, 309. Resuming, neither player showed his best form. Bateman at last got into swing, and after some delicate play at the top of the table, indulged in all-round play, which resulted in a 127 break, which he scored without blemish. The score at this stage was : Tuxworth, 705 ; Bateman, 556. The former made the running to the finish, and won by 115 points. Scores : - Tuxworth, 750 ; Bateman, 635.
The second round of the Shropshire Licensed Victuallers' Tournament was resumed at the "Queen's" Hotel, Shrewsbury, when Mr. Everett, Ellesmere, met Mr. Menzies of Shrewsbury. Scores: Mr. Menzies (rec 45), 250; Mr. Everett (rec 40), 172. All the winners in the second round will receive prizes.
Geo. A. Davies recently played a game of 1,200 up with Mr. J. Whiteside, to whom he conceded 500 points start. The professional contributed excellent breaks of 88, 75, and 54 (twice), gaining a well-earned victory by 41 points. Mr. White- side's chief breaks were 49, 40, 39, 38, and 37.
Great interest was taken in two games of 800 up at the " Vernon Arms" Hotel, when J. Harris, the well known Manchester professional, conceded F. Jennings 400 points start in each game. Harris visited this place a short time ago, when he met and defeated a local player in capital style. He was again successful in both games, the scores in the afternoon being: Harris, 800; Jennings (rec 400), 610, and in the evening Harris, 800 ; Jennings (rec 400), 605. During the day Harris put together the following breaks: 53, 71, 86, 75, 101, 114, 68, 92, 87, 54, and 74. In the face of such fine play Jennings had little scope and his highest runs were : 31, 25, and 21. Harris concluded the evening game with a display of trick and fancy strokes which was much appreciated by the company.
A level match of 2,800 points up for a £40 trophy was commenced last week at the " Railway" Hotel, Finchley, N., between W. H. Sparrow and A. Raynor, the concluding portion being played at the "Wellington" Hotel, Wood Green, N. Sparrow had the better of matters during the first part of the game, but Raynor gained ground rapidly when the second half was entered upon, and ultimately gained an easy victory by 573 points. The winner was responsible for chief breaks of 119, 78 (twice), 71, 62, 61, 59, 58, 57, 54, 52, and 50 (twice), Sparrow's best efforts amounting to 67, 64, 62, 56, and 53. Final scores : - Raynor, 2,800; Sparrow, 2,227.
Mr. H. Davies (the well-known South London amateur) and W. Young (of Leyton) played a game of 750 up level, at the " Lord Rookwood," Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, on Monday, December 31 last. From the outset Young got the run of the balls, and, playing- a very consistent game, soon took a commanding lead. On the other hand, Mr. Davies played very unluckily, and could not get an opening. Repeatedly he made a brilliant stroke, only to find the balls run dead safe. Interval scores: - Young, 401; Mr. H. Davies, 311. On resuming, Young again forged ahead, and soon got 200 in front, but Mr. Davies was not to be denied, and after making a 40 break, found his touch, and delighted the spectators by playing out time with a beautifully executed 109 break, and an interesting game was left drawn, with the score reading: - H. Young, 707 ; Mr. H. Davies, 687. Best breaks : H. Young, 44, 39, 32 (twice), 31, 30, 28, and 25; Mr. H. Davies, 109 (a splendid effort), 40, 32, 24, and 22 (twice). H. Gascoigne acted as marker and referee.