A match in connection with the Acle and District League was played recently between Upton and Burgh clubs. The latter won four games out of six, and thus secured two points.
The handicap in the Working Men's Club recently concluded, when Mr. C. E. Keyser (rec 20) met Mr. W. T. Smith (owed 100) in the final of 200 up. An interesting and keenly-contested game resulted in a victory for Mr. Keyser. who ran to his points with an unfinished break of 38, while his opponent still required 20 for victory.
A game of 1,000 up took place last week at the Ammanford Institute, between W. Doherty (champion of Swansea) and W. C. Cooper of Ammanford, the latter being in receipt of 200 start. The result was a victory for Cooper by 193 points, his chief breaks being 44 and 32, to Doherty's highest of 27. Final scores:—Cooper, 1,000; Doherty, 807.
F. Lawrence, of the Empire Billiard Saloon, Birmingham, has been showing fine form at the above saloon during the last fortnight. On one occasion he scored 400 points to his opponent's 100, and proved an easy winner, making breaks of 177 and 115. In another game, scoring 300 to his opponent's 100, he won, making a splendid 163 break. In a subsequent contest he scored 200 points to his opponent's 50, and compiled a 147 break. Another fine victory for the youngster was when conceding his opponent the long start of 450 points in a game 600 up he won by no fewer than 101 points. Playing in fine form, Lawrence made breaks of 112 (twice), 109, 59, and 82 (unfinished). In other games similar to the above, the young champion made breaks of 187, 137, 135, 131, 121, 112, 104,and 102.
At the mid-season meeting of the Blackhill and District Institutes' Tournament held at the "Commercial" Hotel, Consett, Mr. J. Merritt in the chair, it was decided that the interleague games with the Derwent Valley League should take place in the Blackhill Mechanics' Institute and the Consett New Town Hall Institute on dates suitable to the visiting teams. It was resolved that medals be again given to the winners of the Burroughes and Watts Challenge Shield. If two or more competitors tied for the highest aggregate prize, it was arranged that they should play deciding games for the benefit of the funds of the tournament.
This return match in the South Liverpool League was played at the Garston Church Club recently. The first two games finished in favour of the visitors, H. Wooler defeating O. O'Conner by 22 and Lloyd getting the better of Ubsdell by 6. A deficit of 28 was, however, speedily turned into a majority of 22, for Morton defeated Faulkner by 50, and from then to the finish of the match the Garston men were victorious, ultimately winning by 130 points. Breaks of 32 and 30 were made by E. Morton and D. Helsby respectively. Scores:—Garsby, 772; St. Michael's, 642.
For the first time for many years the members of the Golcar Central Liberal Club have decided not to enter the competition for the Huddersfield and District Challenge Cup. Another project was mooted, however, viz., the buying of a cup, to be played for annually, the winner to hold it for one year. This was heartily taken up by the committee, with the result that a solid silver cup was purchased. A handicap was then arranged, and has just been terminated. The finalists were Messrs. J. Taylor, K. Green, and A. H. Townend. The game was a close one, and Mr. Taylor eventually won by six points. Immediately after the game the presentation took place. Mr. F.. Whiteley presided, and after explaining the conditions of the holding of the cup, he called upon Mr. Oliver Taylor (vice-president) to present the cup to the winner. This Mr. Oliver Taylor did in a few well-chosen remarks, hoping that the cup would be an incentive to the young members to take a deeper interest in the welfare of the club.
The handicap which has been held at the Kirkham Institute during the Christmas season has been productive of some very keen games. The results were as follows:— 1, J. J. Bolton; 2, W. Gardner; 3, R. Royles; 4, R. Fleetwood.
Under the auspices of the Epsom and District League, the Leatherhead Liberal Club and Sutton Institute teams met at Leatherhead recently, when the visitors maintained their unbeaten record by defeating the Liberal Club by 43 points.
A tournament for second-class professionals, the heats in which are 4,000 up, was commenced last week at the County Billiard Hall, Leeds, the first contest being between W, Osborne and G. Nelson. This resulted in a victory for Osborne by 520 points, his chief breaks being 101, 107, 192/100, and 141, Nelson's best efforts amounting to 83, 132, 98, 90, and 113. Bonzoline balls were used. Final scores:—Osborne, 4,000; Nelson, 3,480. The second heat in the tournament was commenced on Monday last at Leicester, the contestants being W. Osborne and J. Harris.
F. W. Hughes, of Leeds, contested a game of 1,000 up at the Liberal Club last week, with Mr. F. Howson, of Sheffield, to whom he conceded a start of 350. The amateur won a well-earned victory by 18 points, making excellent breaks of 56, 41, 39, and 37, Hughes contributing several runs of about 50.
A very interesting tournament promoted by Mr. H. Briggs, on behalf of the Wood Green Cottage Hospital, was commenced at the "Wellington" Hotel last week, between eight of the leading second-class professionals. The following was the result of the first week's play:—B. Elphiok (scr) beat W. Grant (rec 125) by 251 points; the winner made breaks of 160, 61, and 59, the loser's highest being 35. B. Elphick (scr) beat A. Raynor (rec 60) by 97 points; Elphick's chief breaks were 98, 70, 62, 57, 54, and 50 (unfinished), to the loser's best of 56, 48, and 37. A. Williamson (rec 60) beat W. F. Peskett (rec 100) by 55 points; the winner made a nice break of 116, to the loser's highest of 50. A. Raynor (rec 60) beat A. Williamson (rec 60) by 60 points; Raynor's best break was 62, to Williamson's highest of 51. Alec Brown (rec 75) beat W. Grant (rec 125) by 180 points, the winner's best break being 38. Alec Brown (rec 75) beat W. H. Sparrow (rec 60) by 104 points; Brown contributed fine breaks of 114, 80, and 63, to Sparrow's best of 43. A. Raynor (rec 60) beat W. F. Peskett (rec 100) by 34 points; the winner made breaks of 70 and 48, to the loser's highest of 68 (66 off the red ball), and 48. Alec. Brown (rec 75) beat F* W. Peskett (rec 100) by 40 points; the winner's chief breaks were 45 and 80 (unfinished), to Peskett's highest of 44 and 48. W. H. Sparrow (rec 60) beat H. Barr (rec 40) by 227 points; the winner made best breaks of 79, 52, 42, and 57 (unfinished), to Barr's highest of 37 and 35. W. H. Sparrow (rec 60) beat A. Raynor (rec 60) by 154 points; the winner compiled excellent breaks of 60 and 132, to Raynor's best of 60 and 42 (twice). Results to date:—
| Played | Won | Lost | |
| Alec Brown (rec 75) | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| B. Elphick (scratch) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| W. H. Sparrow (rec 60) | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| A. Raynor (rec 60) | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| A. Williamson (rec 60) | 2 | I | I |
| H. Barr (rec 40) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| W. Grant (rec 125) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| W. F. Peskett (rec 100) | 3 | 0 | 3 |