Sotonsnooker

(in the eyes of a Curdridge Player)

The venue Churchill’s Club, the date it was ’03

A Hedge End, Curdridge Final, in the Pete March-ee.

Tony Aldridge Compare, Reffing with Sid Hunt,

Hedge End were clear favourites, for those who like a punt.

Curdridge is a time warp, a club that time forgot,

It always lacked in members, and still there’s not a lot.

But it has a spirit, a people very proud,

They’ve got what’s called commitment, and are a decent crowd.

Hedge End is a massive club, modern, up to date,

It’s folk too, they are pleasant, it’s membership is great.

They’re clear top in Division Two, a wealth of able players,

Curdridge fourth in Division Three, just a bunch of stayers.

The first two games kicked off at eight, the Curds were very edgy,

The early play and bit of luck seemed to go with Hedgey.

Then Baldock, in a Curdridge shirt, hit a flash of form,

He cleaned up all the colours, the Curdridge hearts did warm.

Little Derek soldiered, giving it his all,

He scraped in with persistence, and walked away real tall.

Next the number ones locked horns, Chris Sirl playing Smitty,

Chris’s class was quick to show, for Curds it was a pity.

The fourth Curd floundered, when one more pot would clinch it,

Hedge End’s Ian, much relieved, took his chance to pinch it.

So there it was at 2 - 2, gone right up to the wire,

The last Hedge End man experienced, the Curd a fresh young trier.

Nerves were jangling everywhere as young Trev forged ahead,

But the Hedge old-timer, knew his chance not dead.

He played some cagey snookers, then pink and black he potted,

That made the score pegs level, the dark ball was respotted.

Both had openings, both did miss,

Till Trev put a stop to this.

Left a long shot, half a chance,

He gritted teeth and checked his stance.

The cue ball powered, his tail wagged,

That lovely black ball he had bagged.

Curds had done it, oh so proud,

Their little bunch a happy crowd.

Hedge End humble, no complaint,

Now thats my lot, I think I’ll faint.

From the hand of Clive D Gamblin (Curdrigde number 4)

April 2003   another poem from Clive when he helped Woolston Cons A to win the Billiards title in 2004