Norwich – Bar Billiards (Game 9 – Artichoke Hearts vs Black Stars)

Our next game in the league was against the Black Stars in their home den of the Golden Star. They were top of the league, had beaten us 6–3 earlier in the year and therefore appeared to have several advantages, including being better than us.

But it’s not about winning, it’s about taking part and maybe slightly rage-baiting the other team. Here’s my start to the evening, a beer and some Mini Cheddars to start proceedings off with. I don’t like to drink before playing, but I also don’t like unnecessary lifestyle changes so I do it anyway. Incidentally, rage-baiting might not be within the spirit of the rule, but it’s not strictly outlawed.

Phil and I completed the draw and I was pleased to see I was drawn first, which meant I wouldn’t be playing when the food arrived. Although I ended up playing third as Neil wasn’t there yet and then I managed to time my refereeing when the food arrived, but more on that later as these evenings aren’t just about food.

The Black Stars have some strange rituals before a match begins. I didn’t say anything, partly out of respect and partly because I wanted to see how far matters would escalate.

After watching the Haka performance from Phil designed to unnerve us, we were ready to go.

We started off strong, Luke the Lion stormed his game and then Vaughan, photographed here using the away team’s mini cue which was the size of a breadstick, won his match. Then I finally got a game and I surprised and delighted myself by getting 1730 points. This is territory that I don’t often reside in and I reacted to my 1730 with the quiet dignity of someone already planning the paragraph about it. The match between Vaughan and Mark was high scoring, competitive (in a friendly way) and one of the best games I’ve watched in a while.

That put us 3–0 ahead. Dave helpfully reminded us that we had taken exactly the same lead in the home match before promptly losing 6–3. This was presented as historical context, although I recognised it immediately as psychological warfare.

I was then refereeing when the pizza arrived, which annoyed me, but I didn’t say anything apart from repeatedly mentioning it ever since. Luke refused to get me any food because he was holding Kirsty’s dog and claimed that referees shouldn’t be eating. I would formally note that there is nothing in the Norwich Bar Billiards rules prohibiting a referee from eating pizza. I would further note that Luke managed both to hold the dog and obtain pizza for himself, revealing an impressive flexibility when he needs it.

Anyway, that quite serious matter aside, many thanks to the Black Stars and the Golden Star for organising the pizza and I’m pleased to say that I got two slices so I was happy after the initial stress.

Kirsty deserves a particular mention because she often quietly gets on with playing without demanding the lavish editorial coverage that some of us consider our constitutional right. By “us” I mean Luke and me, he took on the vice-captain role demanding at least eight lines about him in every blog post. Kirsty had the thoroughly thankless task of facing Dave while he scored a ridiculous 2880 and occupied the table for long enough to establish residency, but she kept going and produced a perfectly respectable 590 in the three shots that Dave allowed her. Next up, Terri scored an excellent 880 but still losing, despite that usually being a winning score. PJ then won his game scoring only 710 points against Russell putting us 4-2 ahead.

Incidentally, I heard Terri telling everyone that I had beaten Dave Brewer twice before. She really must stop repeating that story. I dislike dwelling on past glories, particularly when there remains a danger that somebody in Norwich hasn’t yet heard about them. Anyway, I was planning to beat him for a third time and I suppose that I should note that although it was embarrassing to hear my achievements discussed so publicly, accuracy remains important so I didn’t stop the matter being mentioned.

That meant that Vaughan and I went into our game with the score 4-4. I was quite annoyed at my other team members who gave me this extra stress, but I didn’t say anything. I was confident, I knew I could beat Dave Brewer and after a close game that was another exciting arrangement, perhaps too exciting, we managed to win by 920 points to 60.

We had beaten the Black Stars. This world class team, topping the division at the moment, are a formidable force and a great deal of fun, so we had a most lovely evening and I would have noted that even if we had lost. And thanks to Aimee for the comments about the blog and hello Sarah!

I always go to the King’s Head if we win but there was no-one around to take me so I debated not going. However, Luke decided he’d take me as we worry that if I break my cycle then we will get misfortune for seven seasons. But anyway, this was another great evening, thanks to everyone!

And the final scores. And last, but not least, it was good to meet Ben and I think he might well be part of the team soon! I also trust that Kirsty and Terri will mention at future matches that I have now beaten Dave Brewer three times this year. Once that information has been properly circulated throughout the league, I can return to insisting that it isn’t about winning.