When four days off Cape Town I received a Marconigram to say I was billed to open at Wynberg on May 17 in a series of short exhibition games. The "Briton" was then behind schedule, and, as a matter of fact, we did not berth at Cape Town until the 17th—twenty four hours late. I received a cordial welcome from local sportsmen and was entertained at lunch by the Cape Town section of the South African Billiards Control Club, whose honorary secretary (Mr. Easton) is a real "live wire."
Mr. Gillitt (managing director of Messrs. Thurston's) who is out here on a business visit, also met me on the quay, and was at the luncheon. Very nice it was to see a face with which I was familiar at the outset of my adventure.
Hustling off to Wynberg Town Hall, I played my first game in South Africa on the same evening. I was introduced to the assembly, and made to feel at home, by Mr. Porter Buchanan, a member of the Legislative Assembly. Our amateur champion at home may be interested to know that my first opponent was a namesake of his—Mr. A. L. Fry.
I conceded 300 in 800 up, and despite my "hustle" and previous mal-de-mer, managed to give a pretty good show. I won by 800 to 463, and averaged 40 for the game. My chief breaks were 109, 95, 69, 68, 45 twice, 42, and 163 unfinished. As I had not played with bonzoline balls for ten years, I was very well pleased, whilst the spectators, and subsequently the press, paid me some nice compliments.
The following evening (May 18) I played at the same place, meeting a relay of three amateurs—Messrs. F. W. Johnson, T. Weir, and C. S. Bain—to whom I conceded 400 in 800 up. This I won by 180 points (800—616).
My breaks were 209, 103, 99 (off red), 94, and 124 unfinished. The amateurs did not have many good scoring chances. All three struck me as pretty good players but rather obsessed with the importance of the occasion. Last evening (May 19) I met Mr. A. J. Barends, an ex-amateur champion of the Western Province, at the Cadarga Hotel, and again won easily. My breaks were 281, 152, and 99.
Joe Read (well-known in Manchester billiard circles many years ago and now located here) took my wife and self for a motor trip around the mountains. It was a delightful experience, the grandeur of the scenery making one's gaze turn to wonder and awe. I have not had time yet to form any impression of South Africa, but have already discovered that its leading men are sportsmen. I meet Cecil Harverson, our old English friend and present champion of South Africa, in my first big match in the middle of next month at Johannesburg.