Twelve thousand miles for a game of billiards !!! What a preposterous suggestion; who could be that crazy? Well, a 'Loose Cannon' could and now it's about to happen, and this is how it all came about. I have always been interested in reading about foreign lands and New Zealand has long held a fascination for me. So, when In 1987 I received a telephone call from a 'Kiwi' visitor to England, I was delighted. Paul Stocker of Napier, was visiting his family in Worcester and, as a keen billiards player, was looking for a game. I have never really discovered how Paul obtained my telephone number, but we had a few enjoyable hours on the table before he returned home. Paul came again in 1997, after competing in the IBSF Championship in Malta, and between these times his friend, Tony King also spent a holiday back 'home' in England which included time on the green baize.
I achieved what can only be described as a life-long dream when I went on holiday with my wife, Enid, to New Zealand in 1990, and we were so impressed with this wonderful country that we returned in 1999. So with all this Kiwi connection and a desire to visit New Zealand as often as possible, I just happened to mention, rather 'tongue in cheek', that perhaps we ought to arrange a tour. From that chance remark there was no turning back - the enthusiasm for the trip, from both sides of the world, seemed to have set in motion an unstoppable force.
It remains a very long way to go for a few games of billiards, but there is so much more involved than that. The arranged matches will be competitive - we intend to return to England unbeaten but, in the end the results will scarcely matter at all. The "Loose Cannons" are visiting New Zealand for a great holiday, to enjoy the sights, experiences, companionship and hospitality that this magnificent country can offer. We want to meet and enjoy billiards with as many Kiwi players as possible, to enhance and nurture the warm friendship that already exists between the billiards players, and the people of our two countries. We hope that our visit might help to spark a little extra interest in the wonderful game of English Billiards, and that any New Zealanders with whom we come into contact will feet that, should they visit England in the future, some familiar, friendly faces will be waiting to welcome them.
Finally, I would like to put on record my appreciation of those who have helped bring this crazy idea to fruition, in particular to Ray Habgood, in New Zealand, who has so efficiently assembled a collection of disjointed possibilities into a coherent and viable itinerary. Many thanks Ray, you are a great fellow, but I will still pot the white and double-baulk you when the occasion arises!!
The Loose Cannons arrived in Auckland on Tuesday October 6 and were met at the airport by Ray Habgood and Wayne Carey. That evening they were entertained with a barbecue at Ray Habgood's home, where they also took the opportunity for some practice on Ray's billiard table.
The tour began in earnest the next day with a competition against a representative team from Auckland. Before the start, both teams met with a film crew from TV3, one of the three nationwide TV stations in New Zealand. The meeting lasted over an hour and included interviews and filming. The event also received newspaper coverage with a cameraman from the New Zealand Herald taking numerous photographs before and during the first round of matches.
The competition, which was held at Snooker World, Royal Oak, Auckland, was a round-robin event with each player in the opposing teams all playing each other, giving a total of 16 matches. These were all one hour duration.
In the first round Peter Shelley was in good form, scoring four breaks over 50 in the last half of his match against Warren Burke. Ray Habgood, Wayne Carey and John Smith won their matches to make the team score all level at 2-2.
Peter Shelley top-scored in the second round with a break of 146, the only century of the event, in his match against Habgood, winning by nearly 350 points. John Smith and Bill Andress also won for the Loose Cannons to give them the lead 5-3 after two rounds.
Round three saw Ron Milicich made a good start in his match against Peter Shelley and he won comfortably 329-152. Two of the other matches were close, Ray Habgood beating Derick Townend by 11 and Bill Andress beating Wayne Carey by 10.
Auckland needed to win all four matches in the final round to defeat the visiting team. Ron Milicich beat Bill Andress, and Ray Habgood came from behind with a 32 unfinished to win his match against John Smith. The match between Derick Townend and Warren Burke was close until a break of 97 by Derick near the end gave him the win. In the remaining match, Peter Shelley comfortably beat Wayne Carey to give the Loose Cannons a 9-7 victory.
Results: Auckland names first -
On the morning of October 5, the Loose Cannons travelled from Auckland to Hamilton. That afternoon and evening they played against two teams representing the Waikato Billiards and Snooker Association at the Hamilton Cosmopolitan Club. The following brief report was supplied by Dan O'Sullivan, secretary of the Waikato B&SA. "The afternoon session had four 'B' grade players who acquitted themselves well. However, the loose cannons, with Bill Andress showing out, came to the fore and won the match four nil. After a break for a superb, black tie meal, play continued with four of the Clubs top players. Brendon Bateman again showed his 'Snilliards' skills and kept Derick Townend in check for a long time. However the 'Cannons' soon roared and the gallant locals were dispatched four nil."
Which of the Cannons returned with the title of New Zealand Open Champion? Who made a break of 259? and which Cannons went Paragliding!? Concluding details of the tour will appear in the next issue