Cliff Thorburn emerged from Gibsons Bowladrome on Yates Street to become one of the greatest snooker players the world has ever seen. Cliff honed his skills in the pool halls across Canada until he became the best in North America. With steely ambition and mental strength, Thorburn turned pro in 1973 and made it to the 1977 World snooker final held in England. In 1980 he became the first and only overseas player to win the World Professional title that was watched by nearly 20 million TV viewers in Britain. Three years later Cliff enjoyed his most famous moment - a sole maximum 147 break in a World championship. Ranked in the top four of his sport he has won every major tournament once, the Benson & Hedges Masters three times as well as thirteen Canadian or North American titles.

After ending their initial season in third place, the Shamrocks had five first place finishes in the next six seasons. They reached the Mann Cup finals in 1953 but found the Peterborough team too tough. It didn't matter to 5800 Victoria fans who jammed the old Memorial Arena to see the action. That support gained the Rocks national prominence and allowed the club to import eastern players. Again, in 1954, they were unsuccessful in the rain and mud at Peterborough's outdoor box. But in 1955 the Shamrocks found the answer and they defeated their traditional rivals in the national final. The Mann Cup came to Victoria. The winning team included Tom Druce, Jim Bradshaw, Arnie Ferguson, Lew Landess, Bob Dobbie, Archie Browning, Nip O'Hearn, Joe Mitchell, Dean Blackstock, Ed Popham, Al Davies, Dusty Mair, Geordie Johnston, Alan Gill, Ralph Baker, Jack Northup, Jim Hetherington, Larry Booth, Red McMillan, Whitey Severson, Bill Bamford, Harry Irwin, Jack Thompson and Jack Bionda. Pickups included Derry Davies and Jake Proctor.