Memory of a snookering

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 551, 30 August 1994, Page 4

Memory of a snookering

• What a great event for the Raetihi Cossie Club to have Dene O'Kane there to play against some of the local players. This is a great honour for those who were fortunate to be chosen to meet him. My late father, Steve Coleman, aged 72 years at the time, was chosen to play against Eddie Charlton at the Cossie Club some years ago and what an honour it was for him. Instead of trying to pot the balls he played safe all the time and tried to prevent Eddie from potting balls. Eddie did not beat Dad by that many points and after the game he congratulated him on a tactical game and said that was the first time anyone hadxione that to him. Dad replied that he knew that he could not beat him so set out to just make it harder for him to win. The following year when Eddie returned on his tour he asked if he was going to play that 'old fellow' and when told that he was in hospital and had had his leg amputated, he sent a lovely card wishing dad well and hoping that he was fully recovered by the next time so he could beat him again. Our family really appreciated his thoughtfulness as we knew and so did he that there would not be a next time. I still have the card to remind us of Dad's great stand.

Faith Wise