The Worcester spy., 1899-03-17
Click of Ivories In
Schaffner Tourney.
LAPHAM IS WINNER.
Defeats Sergt. Hill In An
Exciting Billiard Game.

When Fred A. Lapham, president of
the Shaffner club, and Police Sergt.
George H. Hill crossed cues last even
ing in the rooms of the club at bill
lard match of 100 points, it was the de-
cisive game of the tournament which
has been in progress for several weeks,
and not only participants in the tour
nament but members were greatly in
terested.
The game settled first place in the
tournament Before it started the pres
ident had Is victories and only single
defeat to his credit. Sergt. Hill had
IA wins and two defeats. A win for
President Lapham meant first place
in the tournament, while a victory for
Sergt. Hill meant tie with the presi-
dent and a chance to win out.
The fact that the men are the best
players in the club lent additional in
terest to the contest. Each was in good
playing condition, and the match was
hard fought one. The players kept
the score close until the very end, when
President Lapham went ahead and won
by six points, the score being 100 to a.
President Lapham started with a
lead of 10 points, as the tournament
was a handicap event, and that was
the advantage which he was given over
Sergt. Hill by the marker. Sergt Hill
was the only scratch man in the tour
nament, and President Lapham was his
nearest competitor, having 10 points
handicap. The latter had no competi-
tors with him on that mark.
Sergt. Hill made a good start and
played a strong game. He made no
big runs, but added to his score stead
lily, scoring several points each inning
before he made a miss. President Lap
ham was also playing good game, but
his average was not as good as that of
his opponent during the early part of
the match. When the president had
reached So points, the marker had the
| same number pushed along on Sergt.
| Hills wire, and the match was tie.
The players then began a see-saw
game, one going ahead for few points,
only to give way tc the other on a
good run. The playing of President
| Lapham was the more steady. His
scores in each inning kept near the
same average. His opponent, while
not so steady, kept up the pace. He
would make a miss with small score
in an inning, and the next inning would
put in pretty run by a series of bril-
liant shots.
On the next inning. however, the
president would get in some which
called forth applause from the members
looking on, and the score would be
nearly equal again.
So the game went until the men got
into the 70's. President Lapham kept
up his steady playing, but Sergt. Hill
fell off, and was over a dozen points
behind. He put in q run Of 16, which
carried his score up to 50, and placed
him in the lead by two points. That
was the best run of the game. His
opponent kept counting with the reg
ularity of clockwork, and again went
ahead, and as the end approached
drew away finally, scoring the last shot
when Sergt. HilPs score stood at "a.
The highest run which the winner
made was 10. He made several runs
of 8. The number of innings and the
averages were not kept, the marker
simply counting on the strings
The winner of first place is the holder
of a gold medal presented by Mayor
Dodge, who is a member of the club,
and an enthusiast at the game. The
prize Is a continuous one, as it must
be won thrice In succession to become
the property Of a member. Second prize,
which was won by Sergt. Hill was an
inlaid cue.
The ownership of third prize is not
settled. J. William Patston has won 13
and lost 4. Charles Farmer has won u
and lost 4. He has one more game to
play, his competitor being Mr.. Barrett.
The prize has not been determined on
by the club.