The second Bob Moore Trophy for Comedy Magic night certainly lived up to the great start this new competition achieved last season. The competition, suggested by Rex Stott, in memory of the highly inventive and entertaining past member, Bob Moore, is certain to become a well-supported and enjoyable part of the Hull Magicians' Circle syllabus.

Practically a full house assembled braving Hull's late-night shoppers and ensuing parking mayhem for an hilarious evening.

Held this year as the Christmas party entertainment it was all great fun. Contestants had five minutes to present their comedy magic routines before being gonged off by timekeeper Michael Harrop, who thoughtfully provided a warning “ting” at one minute to go. This resulted in quite a few sprints to the finish but most managed to complete their acts in the allotted time.

Roni as compere in his disguise as Illy galimmigrant, managed to romp through a sequence of manic sight gags, all in the best possible bad taste. He produced a dove (soap) thus queering Rex's pitch as Rex planned to do the same thing - (he did it anyway and got an even bigger laugh as he accused Roni of pinching his gag). Roni managed to involve himself in some of the competitor's acts as well. His floating arm was a masterpiece of illusion.

First on was Chef Rex Stott resplendent in full Chef's costume - inspired by Ready Steady Cook and all the other culinary programmes on TV he had a table full of magical ingredients, his ambitious Rivita Cracker move is bound to be published soon. Copperfield will probably want the television rights. Luckily Rex's vanished red silk was discovered in the nick of time in a frozen chicken.

Paul Kitchen opened with mobile phone gags, swallowed a Balloon Sword and presented the Bandana/Banana trick to tape instructions. Peter Smales crunched his neck bones and reproduced a borrowed ring in a loaded and cocked mousetrap. A huge draped cabinet had dominated the platform at The Sailmakers, rumours were rife! A new Brian Wilson illusion? Punch and Judy? Living Marionettes? No one guessed, though the audience and Roni were not slow in making suggestions as to what Malcolm and his assistant were up to in the cabinet! All was revealed when the curtain went back to reveal Malcolm Bromwich as a tiny Toulouse Lautrec with beard and cod accent. After one or two silk tricks their piece de resistance was the Head Twister illusion. Obviously they had put in much work to create this mini Moulin Rouge complete with safety curtain.

Peter Bennett entertained with Potty Prediction - purporting to let the audience in on the secret but with an amusing twist at the end. Peter cleverly combined the Insurance gag card revelation at the end of the routine. Margaret Henriksen went mental and enlisted the help of Brian Wilson to predict a chosen colour and a date. Gordon Stow was inebriated and with not a lot between his ears - demonstrated with his String through Ears. His comedy exposure of the production of a bottle of beer fitted his character perfectly. Gordon finished with a Bob Moore presentation of the Big Red card trick.

Members voted for the most entertaining act and Michael announced the winner - Paul Kitchen. President Eddie Dawes presented the trophy.

After the interval and buffet during which members had time to complete David Cookson's Christmas Quiz. David presented the winner, Jon Marshall, with a Christmas Selection Box.

Recent Close-Up Competition winner Ray Burrell presented his highly entertaining act. Ray has clearly worked hard on this performance. He opens with a rope routine, then ring on rope and finishes with an excellent cups and balls routine with two cups. This is Ray's own presentation combining ideas from David Penn, David Williamson and Carl Andrews. His loads were flawless and it worked well as a stand-up routine.

It only left Eddie to give the vote of thanks to the participants and wish everyone a Merry Christmas.