 | |
| Born | 1842 Town Malling, Kent |
|---|---|
| Died | 17 January 1905 (aged 63) Mayfair, London |
| Sport country |  England |
Joseph Bennett (1842-1905) was anEnglish champion player ofEnglish billiards. He was thebilliards champion three times when it was played on a challenge basis.
Bennett was born in 1842 inTown Malling,Kent, and played his firstbilliards match aged 22.[1]
In November 1870, Bennett playedJohn Roberts Jr. for theBilliards 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 toWilliam 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 recordbreak of 125.[3][4]
In September 1881, Bennett, who had broken his arm when being thrown out of agig, 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 astroke onChristmas Day 1904,[1] he died on 17 January 1905 at his home inMayfair,London, from "apoplexy following a state ofparalysis."[1][5]He is buried atBrompton cemetery.
Bennett is briefly mentioned inFlashman at the Charge (1973) byGeorge MacDonald Fraser.[6]
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...