CHAMPION BILLIARD MATCHES.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 644, 12 April 1870, Page 2

CHAMPION BILLIARD MATCHES.

The champion, W. Cook, John and Joseph Bennett, T. Morris, and others recently held a meeting at St. James's Hall, when, after much discussion, it was decided that in future the pockets of the tables used at champion matches should be reduced to 3in. in width, the balls being still left at their present size, 2 l-16in. in diameter. This alteration will in future make hazard striking a matter of the greatest delicacy, and the practical effect upon the present large scores will, most probably, be most surprising. A match for the championship between Eoberts and Cook had been fixed for Feb. 11, when, in addition to £IOO a side, they play for the Gold Champion Cup ; Messrs Thurston and Co., Burroughes and Watts, and Cox and Yeoman having offered to give £SO each towards the trophy. These firms will also have to draw lots to decide who shall make the table to be played on. Eoberts has stated that, win or lose, it will be his last match for the-championship. J. Bennett and John Eoberts, senior, played a match 1,000 up, even, the spot hazard barred, for £25 a side, on January 20, at the Prince of Wales Club, Blackfriars Eoad. The match resulted in. the defeat of Bennett. The latter subsequently enceuntered Cook, the aspirant for the honor of the championship, and again Buffered defeat, Cooke winning by over 500 points in the 1,000.