 | |
| Born | 1842 Town Malling, Kent |
|---|---|
| Died | 17 January 1905 (aged 63) Mayfair, London |
| Sport country |  England |
Joseph Bennett (1842-1905) was an English champion player of English billiards. He was the billiards champion three times when it was played on a challenge basis.
Bennett was born in 1842 in Town Malling, Kent, and played his first billiards match aged 22. [1]
In November 1870, Bennett played John Roberts Jr. for the Billiards Championship and £200, and won the title with the scoreline 1,000-905. The match was watched by over 300 spectators. [2] Roberts beat Bennett 1,000-637 the following year, in January 1871, to regain the title. [3]
Bennett made a further unsuccessful title challenge in November 1871, losing 942–1,000 to William Cook, but won the title again in November 1880, beating Cook 1,000-949. Bennett successfully defended the title in January 1881, beating Tom Taylor 1,000-910. During the match against Taylor, Bennett set a new championship record break of 125. [3] [4]
In September 1881, Bennett, who had broken his arm when being thrown out of a gig, resigned the title when challenged by Cook. [3] [4] He made one further unsuccessful challenge for the title, losing 1,360-3,000 against Roberts in June 1885. [3] [4]
He taught billiards in London. Following a stroke on Christmas Day 1904, [1] he died on 17 January 1905 at his home in Mayfair, London, from "apoplexy following a state of paralysis." [1] [5]
Bennett is briefly mentioned in Flashman at the Charge (1973) by George MacDonald Fraser. [6]
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Joseph Bennett may refer to:
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What made it worse, my eye was out, and Cutts' luck was dead in—he brought off middle-pocket jennies that Joe Bennet wouldn't have looked at...