Like its sister episode on Cricket earlier in the same series, this is another thoroughly entertaining episode.
With the departure to warmer climes in Eastbourne of the player who defeated him in the snooker tournament final last year, Martin is optimistic of bagging the trophy this year. He even discusses where the trophy should stand, preferring the mantelpiece while Ann prefers the bedroom.
Unfortunately he's a man short of the 32 required for the tournament without having to arrange byes. Ann declines his invitation and suggests Paul: unsurprisingly, Martin is reluctant given Paul's innate ability to be good at everything.
Nevetheheless, Paul gets invited and agrees to participate.
Martin is now depressed, certain that he will draw Paul first round and lose.
Ann trots off to Paul's house to ask him to deliberately throw the match. Paul feigns indignation, but suggests he might be very willing to accede if Ann offers him her body! Ann turns to go, but Paul laughs, says he was joking and agrees that he'll be happy to throw the match to please her.
However, it seems unlikely that he'd have refused to go ahead had she complied with his request.
Come the day of the tournament and true to his expectation, Martin is indeed drawn against Paul in the first round. He trudges off to an expected hammering.
Paul looks 100% the part, immaculately dressed, using a cue lent him by a mate - he explains it was Tony Drago (though we dont see him; he was well known at the time) - and Paul surveys the table like a pro. Then he plays his first shot. It's hopeless! Martin perks up immediately and duly wins: eventually Paul explains he's never played the game before! (That probably wouldn't have prevented him from having fun with Ann if she'd given in to him).
Now Martin thinks the trophy is 'on' again. Indeed, the feeling is so prevalent that tournament host and publican Laurence even asks Howard- Martin's coming opponent in the final- .if he doesn't find foregoing a runner's-up cup because funds didn't run to it!
Howard goes out to the car park, visibly upset. He's just been turned down in a job interview for promotion, so he's not having a good day. Hilda comforts him as he complains about being a 'loser'. Then something seems to blow.
Howard comes in to the final match, inwardly seething with barely suppressed fury. He intimidates both Martin and Laurence, umpiring. .Howard goes on to win the match- and thereby, the tournament- with ease.
Martin surveys the wreck of another year's attempt at the snooker trophy. Howard apologised for his out-of-character behaviour and Martin naturally forgave him.
Martin looks longingly at the trophy he has yet to win- a miniature, child's plastic toy cup!
With the departure to warmer climes in Eastbourne of the player who defeated him in the snooker tournament final last year, Martin is optimistic of bagging the trophy this year. He even discusses where the trophy should stand, preferring the mantelpiece while Ann prefers the bedroom.
Unfortunately he's a man short of the 32 required for the tournament without having to arrange byes. Ann declines his invitation and suggests Paul: unsurprisingly, Martin is reluctant given Paul's innate ability to be good at everything.
Nevetheheless, Paul gets invited and agrees to participate.
Martin is now depressed, certain that he will draw Paul first round and lose.
Ann trots off to Paul's house to ask him to deliberately throw the match. Paul feigns indignation, but suggests he might be very willing to accede if Ann offers him her body! Ann turns to go, but Paul laughs, says he was joking and agrees that he'll be happy to throw the match to please her.
However, it seems unlikely that he'd have refused to go ahead had she complied with his request.
Come the day of the tournament and true to his expectation, Martin is indeed drawn against Paul in the first round. He trudges off to an expected hammering.
Paul looks 100% the part, immaculately dressed, using a cue lent him by a mate - he explains it was Tony Drago (though we dont see him; he was well known at the time) - and Paul surveys the table like a pro. Then he plays his first shot. It's hopeless! Martin perks up immediately and duly wins: eventually Paul explains he's never played the game before! (That probably wouldn't have prevented him from having fun with Ann if she'd given in to him).
Now Martin thinks the trophy is 'on' again. Indeed, the feeling is so prevalent that tournament host and publican Laurence even asks Howard- Martin's coming opponent in the final- .if he doesn't find foregoing a runner's-up cup because funds didn't run to it!
Howard goes out to the car park, visibly upset. He's just been turned down in a job interview for promotion, so he's not having a good day. Hilda comforts him as he complains about being a 'loser'. Then something seems to blow.
Howard comes in to the final match, inwardly seething with barely suppressed fury. He intimidates both Martin and Laurence, umpiring. .Howard goes on to win the match- and thereby, the tournament- with ease.
Martin surveys the wreck of another year's attempt at the snooker trophy. Howard apologised for his out-of-character behaviour and Martin naturally forgave him.
Martin looks longingly at the trophy he has yet to win- a miniature, child's plastic toy cup!
