3-Cushion
PARIS - The French team competition in three cushion is nearing the end with a fight between three contenders for two spots in the strongest of two groups of four. The team of La Baule is one of the two leaders after the draw in Paris in the match against CetSi Morangis. Laxou is also on top with the same points: seven out of five games. CetSi is one point behind the leaders.
The key match, with beautiful duels between Eddy Merckx and Frédéric Caudron, Eddy Leppens and Jérémy Bury and Jean Paul de Bruijn and Richard Bitalis, was exciting until the last caroms. Both teams were in balance, both before and after the break.
Jean Paul de Bruijn defeated Richard Bitalis in the first tour after having an advantage from the start (50-26 in 30). Jean Reverchon levelled the score with a narrow win over Arnaud Mouton: 50-47 in 50.
The leading players of the two teams raised the tension after the stop. Eddy Merckx was launched by a magnificent start against Frédéric Caudron (23-8 in 10) and at the other table, Jérémy Bury started with 8 and 7 in his first two innings.
Caudron almost managed to close the gap (48-39), Merckx needed some innings to finish but eventually won 50-42 in 22. Bury maintained his lead from the start and finally bested Leppens 50-41 in 24. The highest run of the evening was made by Merckx: 11.
The final matches are:
April 25: Laxou-CetSi Morangis
May 13: La Baule-Courbevoie.
La Baule only needs a draw against winless Courbevoie to qualify for the final round.
The ranking in this group:
1 Laxou 5-7
2 La Baule 5-7
3 CetSi Morangis 5-6
4 Courbevoie 5-0.
Eddy Merckx after a flying start the better of Frédéric Caudron