8 Ball: Golden Oldies march on in force

The top performers from the Far North RSA Golden Oldies Pool Club over the 2016 season at their end-of-year prizegiving on Tuesday. From back left, Jake Pene, Ronnie Berghan, Ken Meade, Arthur Simeon, (front) Chic Brown, Doreen Wilkinson, Toto Thompson, Teti Wilson, Bob Mills, Gilda Brown and Lou Te Haara.

Golden Oldies pool is still alive and well if the gathering at the RSA in Kaitaia on Tuesday last week is anything to go by.

As per tradition, the Far North RSA Golden Oldies Pool Club was holding its annual end-of-year bunfight and prizegiving in the final week before Christmas.

Club spokesman Arthur Simeon noted the faction had been established somewhere back in the 1940s, and was still going strong.

He noted he Tuesday morning sessions provided a chance for the 20-odd members to get out and catch up with each other every week over a friendly or not-so-friendly game of pool.

"We are still quite good. Some have passed on, [but] we also had some new members come in," said Arthur, adding the group had continued to make the odd foray around the district every year; this year included sojourns to Pawarenga and Mangonui among other places.

He also couldn't resist noting the Golden Oldies took on the RSA's house team and beat them.

Trophy winners from the 2016 domestic season were as follows.

Round robin, ladies: Chic Brown 1 (winner), Doreen Wilkinson 2 (runner up), men: Arthur Simeon 1, Ron Berghan 2; Morgan Nathan Pairs: D Wilkinson and Toto Thompson 1, Teti Wilson and Bob Mills 2; Nepia Trophy Pairs: Jake Pene and Gilda Brown 1, Lou Te Haara and C Brown 2; Club champion: L Te Haara 1, Ken Meade 2.

Arthur congratulated everyone for contributing to what turned out to be another competitive season, before concluding with season's greetings on behalf of the group.

"Once again, to all the local sports clubs, all the best for the festive period and the new year."

- The Far North Golden Oldies Pool Club will start its 2017 campaign in March. For more information, contact Arthur Simeon at (09) 408-0031.