Still proving master of the green baize

John Hina at the Masters Games 2015 at Wanganui. 01 February 2015 Wanganui Chronicle Photograph by Stuart Munro WGP 02Feb15 - QUALIFYING: Gordon Dick can't get down to deliver the bowls the wa

At a time when Kiwi snooker and billiards legend Clark McConachy was still in his prime, a 17-year-old Wanganui lad chalked up his cue and tackled the master on the green baize.

And yesterday John Hina remembered that match in 1964 as his "claim to fame".

Hina was back at the Wanganui RSA taking part in the 8-ball competition, and seeing family again. He left Wanganui some years ago and for the past decade has been living in retirement on Waiheke Island but has made a point of coming home for the Games.

He has won the gold medal in snooker for the past three Masters Games in Wanganui. His success in 8-ball hasn't matched that "but I've usually picked up a medal".

"Because I'm older the bigger snooker table is getting pretty hard to play on. Your eyesight goes a little bit and it's harder. The smaller pool table is certainly easier," he said.

Hina's been a long-time pool and snooker player, starting as a 14-year -old and most players around his old stamping ground will know who he is. He's played all around New Zealand and in Australia over the years.

But his greatest thrill came half a century ago when, at the tender age of 17, he fronted up to the great Kiwi snooker and billiards master McConachy.

McConachy was 69 at the time (he died in 1980) but still held the world professional billiards crown. In fact he was world titleholder from 1951-68 and national pro billiards champion from 1914 until his death.

"There was snooker hall with about five tables upstairs above what was the old wine bar on the Avenue (near where Majestic Square is). The guy that ran the hall said he wanted me to play McConachy.

"McConachy gave me 40 points start and I ended up beating him by 39 points. That wasn't bad for a teenager. That's my claim to fame," Hina said.