The billiards league was started more than 70 years ago and is still thriving.
When I first played in 1950 there were some ten teams of six players in each of the two divisions. These days we have one division of thirteen teams with five players per team. Like many other league's we now have individual handicaps varying from -150 (Dave Burgess) up to +100. We play matches up to a score of 200.
One of the best players in the early days was Jack Holmes, who entered the "Amateur" regularly. I well remember the break of 127 he made against me in the 1950's. Not bad considering we only played 150 up in those days.
In the 1950's and 60's, Southampton played in a very competitive Inter-Town league versus Portsmouth and Bournemouth. Eastleigh, I remember, also entered the fray for a few years. In those days there was great competition to be chosen as one of the twelve members of the team.
This Inter-Town league has long been defunct, but our Chairman, Peter Green, was instrumental in arranging an annual competition with Taunton. It is good to see old friends like Dick Watts and Brian Harvey again. I regret we see little of Dave Burgess in our league due to the pressure and travel requirements of his job.
Our current individual champion, Danny Zagoroli, is a marvellous potter of the red, and a most consistent scorer.
What an intriguing match he had two years ago in the individual final against Dave Burgess, who is a fine "all-round" player, with much skill at "top of the table". The differing styles of play and the excitement as they passed and re-passed each other, before time expired and Danny won by a small margin.
We here in Southampton count ourselves lucky to still have a thriving league and will endeavour to keep it going.