1st March 1875 Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Barker v Walker
Great Match for the Fives Champioship and £100
Victory of Barker, of Coxhoe.
On Saturday last a match for the championship of fives and a stake of £100 took place at the Tudhoe Park Recreation Grounds between Thomas Barker, of Coxhoe, who has held that title for five years past, and William Walker, of Ushaw Moor Colliery, both miners, and resulted in a victory for the first named. The match in question was made about six weeks ago, and since that time it has been looked forward to with the strongest interest by the mining population of the county of Durham, with whom the game of fives is a favourite pastime. There was an immense attendance to witness the match, not less than 5,000 persons being present, and it is with the utmost pleasure we record the fact that a better behaved crowd never assembled together. ... Barker is 26 years of age, and was born at Chilton Buildings, near Ferryhill, but now follows his employment as a hewer at Coxhoe Colliery, where he has worked for some years. Barker stand 5 feet 10.5 inches, and on the day of playing he weighed 13 stone 7lbs.
William Walker is a native of Crook, and he is 24 years of age. He made his first appearance as a ball player about the same time as Barker, but flying at smaller game he has been a much more profitable investment for his backers, and up to Saturday last he was unbeaten. He stands 5 feet 10.5 inches, and weighed 13 stone 2 lbs on Saturday. From the moment the men, made their appearance it was evident nothing but business was meant, and Whitfield Chatt, of Byers Green, the stakeholder, having been readily agreed to by both too fill the thankless office of referee the man tossed for innings, and Barker winning, went on with his own ball, the game being 41 up, and the ball to be changed half way.
It is usual to give some notion of the betting, but one strange feature of the match was the absence of wagering on the ground. Not a bet came under our notice, and what was done in the way of speculation must have been done by people placed together in the crowd, the density of which precluded all moving about, while the force of police under Sergeant Liddell, rigorously excluded all comers from the alley, except those in attendance on the players. In the latter capacity R and J Robinson were prominent ??? Walker, while Wm. Green and Frank Fall, the pedestrian, were the principal attendants on Barker. The alley, which had been rolled and covered with sawdust on the previous night, though it was still wet, was not such “dead” going as might have been anticipated.
Barker led off with a terrific ball, which landed within a few feet of the back railings. Walker was all there in the return, however, and in the sharp “check” which ensued he appeared to have a little the best of it, and although Barker managed by a capital stroke from the right hand side of the ground to place the ball within an inch of the lower line at the opposite side, where it was a “moral??” Walker could not cover it the latter as he returned to his seat received the plaudits of his supporters, notwithstanding that one chalk had gone down for Barker. The latter who is not a demonstrative man at any time, scarcely showed at ease as he rose to lead off for the second trial, and in a long and very sharp check that ensued, in which both men were loudly cheered, and in which terrific “cut” play-such as only champion players could have stood up to-took place, Walker completely outworked his man and Barker ended the innings and lost his place by sending the ball against the woodwork outside of the right hand side line. This performance he repeated almost at the first stroke of Walker’s first innings and “one all” was the order of the score.
At the second attempt, however, Barker got one again into his favourite corner at the right hand side, and Walker again failing to cover, came out. Barker opened his second innings with a long stroke, but he did not appear to get to his ball with that freedom his opponent displayed, and his face wore a decidedly anxious appearance as he struck at the ball. Finally after a sharp rally, Walker got the ball into the ??? of the ground, and Barker getting badly to it attempted a stroke with his left hand, but the effort at once showed that that member was next to useless the ball failing to reach the wall after describing a zig zag ??? through the air. Walker, like his opponent, failed to score on getting in, going down before a magnificent stroke which barker sent from the back of the ground, “lining” the ball beautifully. The champion led off with a “liner” on one of the side lines, but his second attempt realized a chalk, and before he gave way he placed another to his credit, and the score stood “3 to 1” when he came out.
Walker only scored a single on trying again, and Barker leading off with a “ball over”, went out again on the next attempt without scoring. Walker got another single, and then Barker , who seemed to be gaining more confidence, went in and bt some magnificent out play he put on five chalks before he resigned his place, and the game then stood “Barker 8, Walker 3”, with the latter to play. The Ushaw Moor man obtained two chalks in each of his next innings, and Barker only placing a single on each occasion the score “10 to 7”, with Walker to play. The latter’s next innings was his best in the match; it was characterized by strong outplay throughout, and in the course of it he displayed capital qualifications as a two-handed player, whilst Barker , who seemed to have for a time given up his fine lower line strokes, again showed his weakness with the left, and he knocked the ball on two of three occasions over the side lines. The result was that Walker scored eight chalks before he gave way, took the lead, and the score was called “16 to 10” with Barker to play.
The latter appeared to see the policy, that had placed him at a disadvantage in the last innings, and, resuming his powerful low strokes, he put on four chalks before he gave way again, and Walker, failing to score, he put on two more, and the game was called “16 all”. A blank each occurred, and then Walker put on one. Barker now appeared only to be coming to his play, and as the anxious look that characterized him at the earlier part of the game had entirely disappeared, he appeared at each attempt to be gaining the measure of his opponent. This was most palpable in the next innings, in which he got the ball into the old corner at the right hand side, and chalk after chalk went on to his credit until the score stood “Barker 21, Walker 17” the former appearing to be well placed, and Walker’s ball coming on.
The backers of the Ushaw Moor man held strong hopes that this would be the turning point of the game in their favour, but Barker took two chalks in such capital style as to cause them to open their eyes, and he only gave way by a little bit of rash playing. He showed, however, that he held the winning card by putting out his opponent without a mark, and in the next innings the thirteenth of the game, he disposed of the question of superiority most decisively. His “in” playing at this part of the game was most magnificent, and only by such a display could he have beaten his opponent, who played with all the science of a first class player, and the champion electrified everyone by the rapidity with which he got from one side of the ground to the other. Ten chalks were credited to Barker, who it now transpired had been trained on ground that was muddy and holding, and which had accustomed him to a slow ball. As his forte hitherto has always been grand “out” play his friends brought a fast ball for him, and the ground being comparatively good going this quite threw him out at the earlier part of the game. The backers of Walker, on the other hand, had also reckoned on his abilities as a fast out player, and had therefore brought a slow, dead playing ball. This was just the thing to suit the champion after his training, and, as will be seen, he quickly demonstrated the mistake his opponents had fallen into. The game at the close of the thirteenth innings stood at “33 to 17”, and although Walker scored four chalks in his next attempt it was plain that he was done with, his strokes lacking steam and in the “in playing” he was completely out-generalled. The game from this point had little interest, and finally, at the nineteenth innings, Barker, who appeared to play stronger the further he went, scored the winning chalk, and won a most interesting game by 17 chalks,
the following being the score during the match, the crosses indicating the “no balls”, etc.
Barker 10-0-x110-X0-111x110-10-10-11110-110-0-0-11111110-11111111110-10-0-110-0-110-110-1-41;
Walker 10-0-10-10-110-11x10-111111110-0-0-10-0-111x10-0-0-10-10-10-0-24
It only remains to be said that the best of feeling prevailed during the match between the players, and often one of the pair no doubt out-generalled the other after a terrific bout, the loser would seize the hand of his opponent and give it a hearty squeeze before going to his seat. There could not be a question that Walker was completely over-matched, but he has the satisfaction of knowing that he is the only man before the public who could have made such a stand against his renowned opponent, and his backers one and all gave him the utmost praise for his efforts.
The winner, Thomas Barker, is a quiet, steady, industrious fellow, who has the happy knack of making warm friends wherever he goes. He appears to be a sort of Renforth (James Renforth was a champion oarsman in 1871) amongst ball players, and looks like holding his championship for some time to come. A word of praise is due to the referee Whitfield Chatt, who discharged his duties with an impartiality that won for him the praise of all. The above match, we may say, occupied about two hours and a half in playing, and darkness had commenced to set in when it terminated.
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25th September 1875 Bells Life in London and Sport - Barker v Walker
Fives – Match for £100
About 5,000 people assembled at Tudhoe Park, near Spennymoor, on Saturday last to witness a match at fives, in which Thos. Barker of Coxhoe, who has held the championship for a period of six years, essayed to give W. Walker of Langley Moor 10 chalks start in a match of 41 up, a stake of £100 depending on the result. The men played in March last, level, for a similar stake, when after a good game up to 24 all, Barker drew away, and won by 17 chalks. Barker is 27 years old, and stand 5ft 10in, his weight on the day of playing being 13st. 1lb. Walker is three years the junior of his opponent and while he stands the same height, he drew down the beam at 12st 10lb.
Walker led off and scored three in his first innings, making 13 ( with the 10 allowed; Barker, by some splendid out play, made a couple, and Walker failing to score, he added another in his next innings. Walker then played to the left hand, finding his opponent weak there, and the innings closed for five – Walker 18, Barker 5. Walker’s total steadily rose until at the 12th innings of each it stood 27 to Barker’s 17. Walker, who had been taking matters quietly, then forces the pace, and placed nine to his account, Barker only adding a couple, the former winning with a majority of 17. Barker appeared disappointed at the result, and has offered to play Walker level for the championship, but should the challenge not be responded to he will retire from the field.

21st April 1876 - Barker v Walker
at Tudhoe Park Thomas Barker of Shiney Row (more likely Coxhoe), champion and William Walker of Ushaw Moor for £30 and Silver Cup. Barker won.

16th August 1876 Sunderland Echo
Court Case At Bishop Auckland County Court Thomas Barker of Coxhoe, champion ball player, sued Robert Richley, tailor, for £50 the amount deposited for a fives match. They (Barker and William Walker) had played at Tudhoe Park for £50 a-side and the referee had ruled against Barker. The judge said the articles of the game had said that either player not agreeing with the referee would forfeit the money. Case dismissed.

14th August 1883 Newcastle Journal – King v Scott
Deposits posted for their upcoming championship match at Tudhoe. They will also play for the new Tradesmen’s Cup subscribed for by Spennymoor tradesmen, which, if held for 3 months against all-comers, becomes the holder’s property.

14th July 1884 Northern Echo - King v Scott
Pompey King, of Trimdon and the present champion, William Scott, played their much-talked of match for the championship of the world, a Fives challenge cup and £80, 33 chalks up, the conditions being a home and home game – the first at Tudhoe and the second at Shildon, in a fortnight. Scott led the first game 33-32. In the second match Scott won 33-14. Both men had spent time with publicans, training.

27th July 1885 Sporting Life - King v Scott
Scott of Kelloe had been champion for some years. Challenged by Pompey King at Tudhoe for £80, the silver challenge cup and fives championship of the world. Scott won 33-27 in two and a quarter hours. A second match to follow..

31st May 1886 Sunderland Echo - Bessford v Scott
THE FIVES CHAMPIONSHIP. - A fives match for £50 a side was played for the championship of the world, and £50 a-side, at Tudhoe Park, on Saturday, between W Scott of Kelloe, champion, and John Bessford of Cassop the latter being victorious. Scott had the upper hand at first until the change of balls, 17-8. The ball introduced was that of Bessford’s, a dead one which was unsuitable for Scott’s playing and Bessford over took him to win 33-28.

28th June 1886 North Star - King v Scott
A re-match at North Eastern Hotel Ball Alley before 2,000 for £35 a side and the championship, Scott won 33-15.

28th December 1886 Newcastle Chronicle - Bessford v Scott
The Championship Match - arrangements for this important match are now completed :-
27th December 1886 between William Scott of Kelloe, champion and John Bessford of Cassop, ex champion, who agree to play a game at Fives, 33 chalks up, for £20 a-side and the Sportsman’s Challenge Cup at Tudhoe park on Saturday January 8th, 1887.
To play with sixpenny blob ball, stamped hole, not to be under 21/4 oz or above 21/2 oz in weight, half minute time allowed between each check, all lines to stand as usual.
Play to commence at 1 o’clock. Final deposit to be made good at Victoria Inn Spennymoor on January 3rd at 6pm. The editor of Sporting Life is appointed Stakeholder and Richard Robinson of Tudhoe Colliery is appointed referee. His decision to be final. No appeal to law. Four balls each. If a ball is lost or burst it must be replaced in three minutes. Either party filing to comply with these articles forfeits all money down. Signed by Scott, Bessford and witnessed Robert Richley.
10th January 1887 Newcastle Chronicle - Bessford v Scott
Championship match at Tudhoe with about 10 inches of snow, bitter wind and sleet during the game. The ground was swept. Bessford won 33-20. Game lsted 1 hour 45 minutes and was one of the most stubbornly contested that was ever witnessed at Tudhoe Park.

13th April 1887 – Newcastle Chronicle
Scott, of Kelloe, v Bessford, for the championship, to take place September 3rd – both now at training, one at the Cambridge Hotel, Spennymoor and one at Tudhoe Park.
6th September 1887 Sporting Life - Scott (Champion) v Bessford
For £20 a-side and the Tradesmen’s Challenge Cup at Tudhoe, 2000 spectators, Bessford won 33-28.

13th October 1890 Newcastle Chronicle - Bessford v Walker
Tudhoe Park - There was a large gathering of spectators here on Saturday to witness a fives match for £25 a-side, 33 chalks up, between John Bessford, of Cassop, present single champion, and the well-known ex-champion, William Walker, of Spennymoor. The conditions of the match were that each man was to use his left hand only. There was a good deal of speculation as to the result, though Bessford was always favourite. G Thompson was stakeholder and referee. Scores:- J Bessford 33, w Walker 7
A match followed between Peter Bell, of Cassop, and Edward Collins, of Trimdon, for £20, 33 up. After a long and tedious game Bell won by seven chalks. D Fitzpatrick was referee.

16th June 1893 Durham County Advertiser - Harrold v Robinson
Fives match for £50.
On Saturday night at the Tudhoe Park Hotel, Spennymoor, a match was made for £25 aside, and £5 deposited with Mr Thomas Heads, for a game of 25 chalks between W Harrold, of Walker, against Richard Robinson, of Tudhoe Colliery. Both men are well known players and are both over 40 years of age. To play at Tudhoe Alley in five weeks time. Years ago Harrold was a most popular player, and well known in the West Auckland and Shildon district. Robinson (alias Crackey Dick) is also well known, making his first great win some years ago at Aldbrough feast, being a native of that Yorkshire village.

15th October 1894 Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Bessford v Boustead
Tudhoe Park
On Saturday afternoon one of the greatest fives matches of the season was contested at Tudhoe Park Alley, Spennymoor, before about 2,000 spectators, the contestants being J Bessford (the single champion) and J Boustead, with their right hands only, against W Judge (the Belfast champion) and J Richardson. The match was for £40, 33 game.
At the start speculation ruled at 6 to 4 on Bessford and partner, who took the lead, which caused their supporters to spring a few points when the game stood:- Bessford and partner, 12; Judge and partner, 5. After close on three hours playing the final scores were:- Bessford, and partner 33; Judge and partner 17. Pompey King (ex-champion) was referee. Jno Mutten, of the Grand Hotel, was the trainer of the winners, and W Hopper, of the Nickey Nack Hotel, trained Judge and partner. The game from start to finish was most interesting.

15th October 1894 Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Boustead v Wilson
On Saturday night, at Mr J Mutten’s Grand Hotel, Tudhoe Grange, Spennymoor, £10a-side was deposited with J Mutten binding a double match for £40, 33 games, between Jno Boustead and Thos Wilson, on the one side, and the Brothers Richardson, on the other, to play at Tudhoe Park Alley, on Saturday first. Speculation already very keen.

4th May 1896 Sporting Life - Bessford v Dolphin
For the first time for several years the Fives Championship of England was competed for at Tudhoe, the stakes being £100 and the challenge cup. John Bessford of Cassop who has held it for eleven year and Joe Dolphin of Coundon, for 33 chalks. Bessford won 33-31. In the return match at Tudhoe in June, for £100 and the cup, Dolphin won 33-24. 3,000 watched.

17th June 1896 Sporting Life
Tudhoe Park Grounds, Spennymoor - The Fives Championship
At these popular commodious grounds on Saturday afternoon another contest for the fives championship and a stake of £100 and challenge cup was decided between Bessford, of Cassop, and Dolphin, Coundon. There were about 3,000 spectators present. It will be remembered that the same men met six weeks ago under similar conditions, when Bessford won, after a hard game, by 2 chalks. On Saturday, however, Dolphin turned the tables, winning a good game by 9 chalks.

International Fives Match at Tudhoe - Bessford v Elizaldre
19th February 1900 Newcastle Daily Chronicle Inspite of the weather and advertisement in Saturday’s Chronicle a very great number of people visited Spennymoor in anticipation of the great Fives Match which did not take place. The fresh date has not yet been fixed. The Spaniard took advantage of a clause in the articles, namely, “weather permitting”. Mr Wilkinson, the proprietor of Tudhoe Park, had done everything that was possible to have the ground fit for playing and on Saturday it was better than it has many a time been in mid-summer. It is the wish of the proprietor to have the ground in good playing order. During the storm he had had every particle of snow removed from the alley and grand stand. The last visit of the Spaniard to the alley was on Wednesday last, when he considered it fit for play, but the blizzard put a stop to the game on his part.

30th March 1900 Northern Echo
The coming international fives match which is to take place on Saturday at the Tudhoe Park Ball Alley, Spennymoor between John Bessford, champion of England, and Pedro Elizalde, champion of Spain, is arousing a large amount of enthusiasm in the surrounding districts.
The conditions of the play are that the contestants play two games at fives in each of their respective styles for a stake of £200, 33 points constituting a game, and that the highest aggregate score in the two matches be declared the winner. Saturday’s match will be played in Bessford’s style, but with the Spaniard’s ball, the usual two minutes interval after each point scored being abandoned as part of the agreement. The second encounter takes place two weeks later at the same grounds in the Spaniard’s style, but with Bessford’s ball.
Both men are in strict training for the events – Elizalde at Liverpool and Bessford at Mr J Cook’s Surtees Hotel, Spennymoor. The lessee of the grounds Mr J Wilkunson, has given careful attention to have the ground in capital condition for Saturday’s match, and should the weather prove favourable (which is at the time of writing very unsettled), a good game and a record gale is anticipated.

2nd April 1900 Manchester Courier
The first of the two International Fives matches had betting ruled at 6 to 4 on Bessford, who won his innings. The Spaniard made a faulty return, and Bessford opened the scoring. An “underliner” caused Bessford to fall out after scoring once, Bessford again saved his innings, and soon had a lead of five. Then the Spaniard got possession, and after a quarter of an hour’s play the score stood 17 to 6 in favour of Elizaldre. At this stage betting ruled at evens. Bessford scored three in his innings, but the Spaniard quickly added eleven, playing much the superior game. From this point the Spaniard increased his lead, and scoring at the rate of one per minute, won easily by 20. Final score:- Pedro Elizaldre, 33; Bessford, 13.

21st April 1900 Sporting Gazette
The final match was played on Saturday afternoon, it was in the Spanish style with 4 alleys and with Bessford’s blob ball. Betting rules at 50 to 30 on Bessford. It was soon evident that the Englishman had matters all his own way, his brilliant line play completely puzzling his opponent. Elizaldie could not make the slightest headway, and in the end he was fairly beaten, 33-0. The final score over the two games was Bessford 46; Elizaldie, 33. During the game it was apparent that Elizaldie was in ill-health, and on two occasions the game had to be stopped to allow him to regain his breath. It transpired that Elizaldie had recently been confined to the house owing to an attack of pneumonia.

The spelling of the Spaniard's name seems to vary in each newspaper report: Elizalde, Elizaldre, Elizaldie, Eligalde.

23 April 1900 North Star Darlington - Kell & Davison v Dent & Scofield
Tudhoe Park, Spennymoor Considerable interest was manifested in the double-handed match at fives decided at Tudhoe Park Alley on Saturday. The contestants were Mr Kell and Davison, of Byers Green, on the one side, and Dent and Scofield, of Willington, on the other. The conditions were 33 chalks gams, and the stake at issue £50. Mr J Swift, of Byers Green, was the judge. Betting prior to the start ruled 50 to 30 on the Byers Green representatives. Kell and partner, playing strongly, quickly recorded 8 points, their opponents in the meantime only scoring one, After 50 minutes play, the score stood at 15-5. The favourites, retaining their advantage, eventually won by 22 chalks. Final: Kell and Davison, 33; Dent and Scofield, 11.

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24th April 1900 North Star Darlington
Northern Lights – A Crippled Sportsman’s Walk
With the fine weather has come the revival of the north-country miners great game, fives, and there is every indication that there will be many exciting struggles at Mr Wilkinson’s famed Tudhoe Park Grounds. As showing the interest north-countrymen take in these matches, it may be mentioned that an enthusiast who had only one leg walked from Willington to Spennymoor on his crutches, on Saturday, a distance of about five miles, and in a broiling sun, to witness a double fives game, in which his favourite lost.

11_June_1900 North Star Darlington - Bessford v Miller
Championship Match at Spennymoor
Considerable interest was centred in the championship match played at Tudhoe Park Grounds, Spennymoor, on Saturday, the contestants being John Bessford, of Cassop, and John Miller, of Pittington. Bessford for 12 years was the acknowledged champion , whilst Miller has a long roll of victories to his credit. The match was for a stake of £100. Betting prior to the start ruled 60 to 40 on Miller. The latter playing in grand style, by innings of 3,4,3,2,2,1 reached 15, the Cassop man in the meantime being unable to score even a single. Then the latter recorded two chalks in four innings, and, Miller replying with a couple, the score stood 16-2. Bessford, by extraordinary play – chiefly on the line- added six chalks in one essay, the score then reading 16-8. Slowly but surely the ex-champion improved is position, and amidst intense excitement, 19 chalks each was “cried” by the judge. Bessford was at once made a hot favourite. He did not, however, justify the opinion of his supporters, for he was only able to add a couple of points. Miller from this point played splendidly, eventually running out a winner by 12 chalks. Scores: Miller, 33;Bessford, 21. ---------

26 June 1900 Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Templey and Maddison v Brothers Sinclair
Tudhoe Park – On Saturday before a good attendance at the Tudhoe Park Ball Alley, a double match was decided for £20 aside, 21 game, between G Templey and W Maddison, Spennymoor, and the Brothers Sinclair, Mount Pleasant. A well contested game resulted in a win for Templey and partner by six chalks. Betting evens. ---------

13th October 1902 Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Two matches.
Tudhoe Park The programme embraced two important matches, and fully 900 spectators assembled at the Tudhoe park Ball Alley on Saturday. Jacky Bessford, of Cassop, for 11 years the acknowledged champion of England, made his reappearance, and what probably tended more to attract enthusiasts was J Dolphin (championship claimant).
The single handed match for £25 a-side was first taken in hand, the contestants being Bessford, of Cassop, and R Lloyd, of Kelloe. Conditions, 33 game. Betting, 6 to 4 on Bessford. The non-favourite proved the smarter player, winning by 16 chalks.
In the double handed match the contestants were J Dolphin and R Nairnes, of Easington Lane versus J Finningham and Tom Mordue, of Broom Park. Conditions, 33 game, for a stake of £50. Betting 2 to 1 on Mordue and partner.
The early stage of the match was evenly contested, the score being 14 each. The favourites then drew ahead, winning somewhat easily by 11 chalks.

7th August 1903 Durham Chronicle - Bessford v Peacock
Tudhoe Park – Despite counter attractions in the Spennymoor district on Saturday quite a large company assembled at the Tudhoe Park Ball Alley. The attraction was a match for £20 a-side between J Bessford (not the old champion) and J Peacock, West Cornforth.
Result: Peacock,33; Bessford, 28.

7th August 1908 Newcastle Chronicle - Jack Mordue and Jim Mordue v Lloyd and McKenna
at Tudhoe for £25 and the latter pair won 33-28.