Partners shine as kings of comeback

When it comes to sporting pursuits Jamie Henare accepts he takes a back seat to his younger brother - former Tall Black and New Zealand Breakers basketballer Paul Henare.

But every now and then Jamie, 37, who played for the Hawks from 1994-1997 and 2000-2001, completes a feat which commands some ink. A week after watching Paul coach the Southland Sharks to NBL glory in Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena last month Henare and his partner Terry Neilson won their fourth snooker tournament for the winter.

"The funny thing is I'm not really a snooker player but more of an eight ball player. I only play snooker for fun," Henare said.

After losing their first match in the Napier RSA Club's handicap pairs tournament, Henare and Neilson reached the final where they beat Luke Wiki and Nick Hurunui 2-1 despite having to give them a 10 point start in each frame.

Earlier last month Henare, who is a self employed landscaper, and Neilson recovered from a one frame deficit to beat the Sutherland brothers, Hugh and Bob, 2-1 in the final of the Barry Morris Memorial Trophy tournament at their club.

"We've earnt a come-back kids reputation," Henare said.

He was referring to the fact he and Neilson recovered from one frame deficits in two previous finals. The first was in the February Johnny Graham Trophy tournament when they beat Brian Hill and Terry Dapson 2-1.

The next occasion was in the March Ray Mulligan Trophy tournament when they beat Paul Temple and Jim Steadman 2-1. The only tournament they lost was when Steadman and Johnny Graham beat them 2-0 in the final of the June Open Pairs at the club.

"I'm not competing on the international stage like Paul but he drives me to be the best at whatever I do," Henare said.

This has been the case since they were teammates in the Napier Boys' High School team which won the New Zealand Secondary Schools basketball title in 1992. They made the national second division All Star team together in 1997.

Since those days Paul has played at Olympic Games level, world championship level when the Tall Blacks finished fourth, won an ANBL title with the Breakers and NZBL titles as a player and coach.

Back in 2007 Henare hit a hole in one on the par three 16th at the Maraenui Golf Club.

He got down to a five handicap in what he described as the hardest sport he ever played.

"I've given golf away now ... the time sacrifice was too much," said the father of one.

A builder with Woolaway Contractors, Neilson, 54, has been playing snooker for 20 years.

And he is full of praise about Henare's ability.

"You can put anything in Jamie's hand and he will be good with it.

"He is the tactical player in our combination and I am the rip, s**t and bust player."

Neilson pointed out they both know how each other is going to play and they seldom have to talk to each other during a match. He also plays at the Bay City Club in Napier where he was a beaten finalist in the singles and pairs, playing with Loss Kaimoana, this winter.