Category: Bar Billiards

Well, this is the stuff of dreams, my team the Serengeti beat the White Lion Manes 6-3. For me, this was particularly exciting as I was transferred from the Manes to the Serengeti at the beginning of the season, which meant I was a bit nervous about playing them.

The draw, and there’s Keir (or Nathan, the captain of the Manes, as I briefly referred to him in a previous post) from the Manes. I was, to be honest, disappointed to be randomly drawn sixth, but there we go.

Here we are, and it was mentioned by me team that I was sitting with the “opposition”, but there was a reason for that.

The reason was that I knew in advance where Dylan, one of the talented White Lion staff, was placing the food. Now, I accept that the food and drink isn’t the only factor for bar billiards players, but, for me, it was the most important if I’m being honest. And the chips and chilli were excellent, thanks to Oscar and the White Lion team.

I was nervous, everyone was pretty aware of that, but I’m always determined even though things might seem stressful at first. I was pleased to win against Oscar, the landlord of the White Lion (fortunately, I wasn’t barred from the pub) and then win doubles as well. Thanks to David who mentioned that he’d never seen me look so serious, but I didn’t want to let my captain Roy down! We were losing 3-2 when I took to the table, but I made it 3-3, then we won all of the doubles matches.

What Julian, just back from Cardiff, treated me to as “a celebration feast” after the victory. What a time to be alive! Some of our victorious team also went to the King’s Head afterwards, how really rather lovely! The Serengeti are on a roll! Although my next post will likely be how I’ve lost two games and broken a cue or something….

Here’s a photo of me from last year (NB, that isn’t a fashion item around my wrist, it was my face covering which I wasn’t sure where to put, although perhaps over my face would have been sensible) when I put myself in charge of refereeing a Legstretchers bar billiards tournament, although I probably remembered half the rules incorrectly. Anyway, I’ve joined a team this year, the White Lion Manes, although I’m more engaged with the food than the bar billiards bit. The league, slightly oddly referring to us as the White Lions Manes which poses me some grammatical issues, is at https://www.norwichbarbilliards.co.uk/League and I might get away with gossiping our team until someone happens to read up about what I’ve been writing and I’ll have to calm myself.

Anyway, our captain, who I shall refer to as Keir, is pretending that it isn’t something that should be taken seriously, although it’s clear to me that it is absolutely in his mind something that is more important than the essence of life itself. I will update this riveting blog on how many games I lose and when Keir orders me out of his team, but until that happens I shall merrily post even more photos of food which is why I’m doing this.

My home pub will be the White Lion, which is moderately annoying as it’s half way across the city from where I live, but I suppose I could pop into the King’s Head for a rest on the way there and back. I also don’t have a cue and I don’t want one, I’m not traipsing that around the city and it won’t make any difference to me anyway. I’m not sure that I know the rules either, which will cause a scene when Keir realises and mutters and moans that my fancy shot is actually in fact illegal. I understand that I have to referee some matches, which I shall be doing as infrequently as I can get away with as I’ll get muddled up and I don’t like adding up (Keir got an A at GCSE Maths so he’s alright).

Anyway, there’s food and beer involved, so hopefully the bar billiards bit won’t ruin those two key elements.