BILLIARDS

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume VIII, Issue 414, 30 June 1898, Page 9

BILLIARDS

TATTERSALL’S TOURNAMENT.

1 lie third round of the Billiard Tournament in connection with Tattersail’s Club was commenced on Wednesday evening in last week when J. Davidson, receives 100, met C. McKinney, receives 125. Davidson was a very firm favourite, and 2 to 1 was laid on his ability to win, but the popular little Secretary playing hie free open game, and fluking—well, just a little —floored the odds and won a very even game by 5 in Ihr and 4mm. Davidson played much below his usual form, and perhaps there may have been something in the remark that a spectator made that he had laid a little too much “ Dante,” whereas McKinney was beard to recite to himself as he was walking round “How We Beat the Favourite.” The next to play were F. Machattie, owes 155, and F. McManemin, owes 30. McManemin being slightly the better favourite During the first 100 McManemin was more than holding his own, but then the back mark man got to work and with some very pretty breaks got within striking distance, and at the call of time the score stood McManemin 188, Machattie 148. The play was continued on Thursday, when McManemin won a very interesting game by 33 points in Ihr 40min. The winner played his usual good sound game and made breaks of 20, 22, 14, 16, 15 and others. Machattie played really well, and made breaks of 32, 15, 24, 22, 22, 16, 18, but he had all the bad luck and that is a lot in a game of billiards. Then the Tournament was reduced to three. McKinney and McManemin’s names were drawn to see who was to play Duder, vzho had the bye in the previous round, and McManemin was the name drawn, therefore they immediately started. There was little or no betting, but McManemin was slightly the better favourite, and he won by 16 points in Ihr 24min. He did not play in his usual sound style, he seemed to tire a lot towards the finish, He made breaks of 21, 14, 16, 21, 15. Duder although beaten was not disgraced, for the balls broke badly for him, and he was playing against luck right through the game. A very large number braved the elements on Friday evening to witness the final heat of the Tournament, when F. McManemin, owes 30, played C. McKinney, receives 125. The betting at the start was take 6 to 4 and take choice, but very little wagering was done, though shortly after the start the odds extended to 2 to 1 on McKinney, who won handsomely by the large number of 102 points in 51 min, thereby establishing two records, the first being the amount of the beating, the second being the time which was very fast. He played a fine open manly game all through, and well deserved his win, which was very popular. The loser had bad luck in the balls breaking safely for him, but had no chance at the handicap. The Tournament has been a great success, in fact it is already mooted among the members to get another one up, to take place in the middle of August, and we think that the idea is a good one, it helps to pass away many a quiet winter’s evening in these very well appointed rooms. The players deserve every credit for the good tempered way in which they corite-ted their various heats, and if any appeal was made (and that was very seldom) they accepted the decision of the referee at once without any demur, and each player took his beating in good part. After the play was finished the popular Secretary issued a general invitation to members of Tatts. to adjourn to the Occideutal, where the he.lth of the winner and success to Tattersall’s was drunk. The following are the winners of the Tourna ment since its inauguration : — Year First Second Third 1892 R. Blaikie ... C. Phillpot ... ‘‘Budge” 1893 J. E. Cooke ... F. Whiting ... J. W. Russell 1894 J. E. Cooke ... T. Tobias '... G. Brimblecombe 1895 F. McManemin J. E. Cooke ... F. Machattie 1896 H. Hayr ... F. Machattie... M. Moore 1898 C. McKinney... F. McManemin R. Duder

Mr Charles E. Browne’s tailoring establishment is situated in Wellesley Street We»t, just opposite the United Service notel, and the man who wants a stylish suit of clothes at a moderate figure cannot do better than pay him a visit.