As described in our last issue, the Loose Cannons had arrived at Auckland on 4th October and the following day they continued their tour by hire car making the trip from to Hamilton along Highway 1. They were quickly made aware that their TV appearance the previous night had not gone unnoticed. Calling in at a roadside fruit barn they were asked by the cashier if they were "the dudes who were on television last night?"—Fame at last!
Four days were spent in Hamilton, playing matches at the Cosmopolitan Club against a club side, a New Zealand representative team and competing in the New Zealand Open. It proved to be a superb venue with excellent facilities, and the most magnificent hospitality was extended to the visitors. Their chief host at the club was Bryan Villers, self-described as "a sprightly seventy-seven year old". Bryan is very active organizing competitions at the club, especially for the lesser "B" and "C" grade players. And how sprightly? Well, he proved too sprightly for John Smith over a forty-minute game and gave Derick Townend plenty of problems as well! Earlier Townend had been edged out by Brendan Richardson, but otherwise the Cannons were pretty much in control as they raced to a 14-2 victory, despite being dazzled by the blue and yellow Bart Simpson-patterned waistcoat and the remarkable potting ability of Brendan Bateman.
Still early days of the tour and it was obvious that the Loose Cannons expressed desire to return home unbeaten would be put to a severe test against the New Zealand representative team. The Kiwi's were certainly "up for it" as they sped into a 3-1 lead, the visitors not really distinguishing themselves in this round although Derick Townend did well to overcome Gary Oliver. Townend went on to gain another notable success over Darcy Boyce, while Peter Shelley hit more points in one break (155) against Merv Stewart than he had scored in the entire previous game, but there was simply no denying the steely determination of the New Zealanders to triumph over the "Old Country". Wayne Carey and Gary Oliver secured the required victories and the double success of Carey, New Zealand's top ranked player, was the decisive factor of the match. Result: Loose Cannons 3 New Zealand 5. The "Test Mach" was immediately followed by the New Zealand Open which is reported elsewhere in the magazine, and resulted in a fine victory for Bill Andress. With all the Cannons performing well they managed to collect a total of $1,050 in prize money!
The 10th October saw the Cannons at Te Puke, known as the kiwifruit capital of the World. A visit to the orchards resulted with them being presented with no less than three boxes of fruit! In the evening at the Te Puke Club, half-hour games were arranged against local players. These included Rob Elvin, President of the NZ Billiards & Snooker Association, but the "Loose Cannons" proved too strong, dominating the match.
Two days later at Napier R.S.A. Club the Loose Cannons looked to be in great danger of tasting defeat at the hands of a provincial side as they trailed 1-3 after the opening round of games, their lone victory being by a mere twelve points. However the dinner interlude saved them from further punishment, and they returned fully refreshed to whip the Hawkes Bay second string players 4-0. They repeated the success when the local "big guns" were brought back into action, Peter Shelley being particularly severe on the leading local, Paul Stocker, with runs of 124, 67 and 61 securing an emphatic victory. The evening was splendidly organized and promoted, having received pre-match publicity in the local newspaper and many team and individual photographs were taken for future publication.
Moving on to the Porirua Club, Porirua, Wellington on 13th October, Peter Shelley was again in superb form as he cracked in a superb 259 break in the final heat against Malcolm Cooke. Result: Loose Cannons 7 Capital City 1. By 15th October the tourists were still ploughing through the donated boxes of kiwi fruit, apples and oranges, although one box of kiwi fruit had to be abandoned in Porirua.
The following day at Riccarton Club, Christchurch the "Cannons" unbeaten provincial record is in danger again as they trailed 1-3, but the visitors fight back to secure a honourable draw. The Shelley v Oliver match was the highlight of the evening. In the last 3 visits to the table both players produced a burst of scoring. Oliver made a 60 break, Shelley replied next visit with a 68 break, and Oliver in turn replied with a 92 unfinished to win by 10 points!
By way of recreation the team took a thrilling Jet-boat ride across Lake Wakatupi and along the Kawarau and Shotover rivers, passing within inches of banks, trees, driftwood and fishermen! All with regular stops by way of 360º turns—an awesome experience. On the return they managed to recover Derick's cap, which had been lost overboard early in the trip. Obviously enthused by the spirit of adventure Peter Shelley and John Smith then decided to take a turn at Paragliding! John Smith takes up the story. "On board the boat we were issued with jackets and strapped into a harness while the operator, a Sylvester Stallone lookalike, explained procedures. Out into the bay we were attached to the parachute. Take off was from a sitting position, then we were up there floating in the sky—wonderfully peaceful, magnificent views, but I can't believe that we are doing this! A couple of times the boat cut power and let us just float down towards the water, before surging forward to lift us skywards again—an exhilarating experience. At the end of the ride we and the 'chute were winched back to land smoothly on the deck before we all returned to the jetty—still cannot believe that I have done this!" So, suitably prepared for their evening match at Commercial Travellers Club, they despatched the opposition with Peter Shelley making a 132 break.
The final match of the tour took place at the Whangarei R.S.A. Club in Auckland on 21st October. A team of eight players from various towns in Northland had been assembled by Merv Stewart, all "B" and "C" grade players who were to receive a start of 150 points for each fifty minute game. Despite this tough handicap, the "Cannons" cut loose to notch an 8-0 victory, most scores indicating comfortable successes. The rest of their final evening in New Zealand was spent in the clubrooms. Still keen for a game, Peter Shelley and John Smith had a knock against local players while a birthday party/disco was in progress in the other half of the room! Merv Stewart later reported that as a consequence of this match he now had at least 9 players interested in forming a billiards competition amongst the local clubs next year.
All agreed that the visit had been a great triumph, a wonderful experience for the tourists and successful in creating extra interest in billiards in New Zealand.