Progressive Snooker

Clacton Graphic and East Coast Illustrated News, Saturday 05 March 1927

NOVEL “DRIVE” AT THE OSBORNE.

On Wednesday afternoon was introduced by Mr. Newcomb Burgess at the Osborne Hotel, a novelty that has found popularity in the north, but has not previously been attempted in Clacton, in the way of a progressive snooker pool “drive.”

The general idea is the same as at a whist drive, the winning gentleman going down and the winning lady up, though in this case twelve of the 24 gentlemen took cards as “ladies.” They played on the six tables as gentlemen and lady against gentleman and lady, and 15 minutes was the time allowed for each game, only six red balls being used in place of the usual fifteen in order to ensure that some at any rate of the games would be completed in that time. When a player lost points, through missing the ball, etc., instead of those points going to the score of the opposing pair, they were taken off that of himself and partner. Mr. Percy Jenkins, who acted as M.C., explained the method of the “drive” before the contest began. There were eight games played, so that the “drive” took two hours actual play.

Three prizes were given by Mr. Burgess, the first gentleman and first “lady” each being presented with a clock, and the recorder of the lowest score with a tin of cigarettes. The winners were: First gentleman: Mr. H. C. Cullum 123; first “lady”: Mr. W. Fosker 162; booby prize, Mr. G. Smith 43. A box of cigarettes was also presented to the M.C.

Mr. Burgess announced that another “drive” would be held next Wednesday, to commence at 2.45, when the rules governIing it would be typed out for all entrants to read.