O'Kane shows skills

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 404, 21 July 1992, Page 16

O'Kane shows skills

BY

RIC

A crowd of about 200 people enjoyed watching top snooker player Dene O'Kane challenge locals last Thursday night. Dene played seven players, who represented four clubs from the area. For the first frame, Dene was getting the feel of the table. By the second frame he was settling into the game well, but during the third frame, he was having

slight problems with the pockets, with a few of his shots re-bounding out of the pockets back onto the table. For the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh frames he was back on form and his highest break for the evening was 89. He was hoping to make a break of 100, as he has not achieved this recently. Dene gave a 350 start all-over, to the seven players and he went on to win by 634 to 418. At the end of play he entertained the crowd with trick shots and then in a short coaching session he showed players how certain shots are done. Dene, who is ranked 18 th in the world, is New Zealand born but now based in London. He is touring New Zealand for one month doing shows and this trip was made possible by the support of Barton McGill, manufacturers of snooker tables. At 17-years of age he was the youngest player to win a New Zealand

championship and he turned professional in 1984. He has made the last eight in the Britishopen on four occasions. Also in 1989, he was in the final of the Hong Kong Open tournament which is a world ranking event. Twice he has recorded the maximum super break of 147. Dene said the best of his play is yet to corrie

and he hopes to soon win a world title. Players who represented the local clubs were Trevor Fredericksen, Bert Fredericksen, Wally McFadyen and Ray Littlewood (Cosmopolitan Club). Charlie Pepene (Ohakune Club) Allan Zohs (Waimarino Club) and Trevor Malcomson (National Park Club).