Join in … with Murray Bridge and Districts Eight-Ball Association

Interested in promoting your sports club or community group, free of charge? Email peri@murraybridge.news.

A couple of dozen people crowd around two felt-topped tables on a Monday night at the Johnstone Park Combined Clubrooms in Murray Bridge.

Tonight, the air is a little more tense than usual – it’s a semi-final, after all.

There are 45-second shot clocks in eight-ball, as well, one of the rules which differentiates it from other cue sports.

But that doesn’t stop players and spectators from chatting as they watch matches play out, with players taking turns sinking red and yellow balls into the pockets of each table.

On the sidelines, chatting with Murray Bridge News before his game, is Lee Spurling.

When did you first get involved with eight-ball?

I’ve been playing since 1995 – 30 years. I’ve been on the committee for 24 years. I’ve held every executive position there is, and I’ve won 30 division-one premierships in that time – we play two seasons a year, so I’ve won one per year. I’ve had a bit of success.

How are things going this season?

Eight-ball has been in decline for the last few years. The Italian Club got sold, so we lost our venue, and this (the Johnstone Park clubrooms) is about all we could find. It puts a bit of strain on, but it’s easier than renting premises, too. Ten years ago we probably had 30 teams, now we’re down to 18. But we’re doing some good things in regards to juniors. We have a team where the oldest is 15 years of age, going down to nine years of age, a team of kids, they play every week; and we’ve had a couple go to the national championships. The average age group remains older … it’s a Monday night away from their lives.

My team is undefeated this season: Bridge Breakers, in division one.

What do you get out of the game?

It’s like a game of chess. Every time the balls are broken, you’ve got to check out how you’re going to get to the eight and pot the eight. There’s always something to learn. You never master it. The way the balls land can give you one helluva crap game. But you work from the eight backwards: this is where I’ll pot the eight, you work out which colour you are, where you want to be, work backwards and you can pot out off the break.

It’s a sport I love to play. It’s always challenging, there’s always something to work out. It’s actually maths – there’s geometry involved. And it’s an individual sport but a team sport, like batting in cricket: you’re here for yourself but doing it in a team.

What has been your fondest memory as an eight-ball player?

Probably playing a carnival in Geelong over a long weekend, and qualifying for the playoffs to make the state team. It was a pretty epic thing to play that many frames … and to play against 32 of the best to try and qualify. That and winning all the premierships and tournaments, and the celebrations afterwards.

What’s your goal as a player?

I don’t have any personal goals any more – I’ve pretty much done everything I want to do. But the association’s goal is to make sure we continue so we can give the juniors an opportunity … and to have a stronger competition and more levels and those sorts of things. People think you just go, have a bash, have a few drinks; but when you get to a higher level, there’s a lot more to it, it’s a lot more technical.

Why should people join Murray Bridge and District Eight-Ball Association?

It’s a good night out. Get a few mates together, get a team, it’s a good social night out.

• More information: Join the Murray Bridge and Districts Eight-Ball group on Facebook, or email mb8ball@gmail.com.
• Who can play: Anyone
• Where to go: Johnstone Park Combined Clubrooms, Murray Bridge
• When to go: Monday nights
• What you need: No special equipment or clothing needed

Interested in promoting your sports club or community group, free of charge? Email peri@murraybridge.news.