3-Cushion
THE HAGUE/LOCHEM - The equalizer would have been the winning point, but Glenn Hoffman just could not finish it off. He needed six caroms fort he draw against Eddy Leppens and for Buffalo's 5-3 unexpected victory over MCR/De Uitspanning. Five of the six were full on, the sixth just missed. ,,They all told me it was a tough shot and that's what I thought as well'', Hoffman exlained the position with the third ball stuck to the rail. His Belgian opponent, team leader at MCR, won (50-49 in 40), the match finished at 4-4.
The leader of the three cushion league lost one point and was caught up by STZ Zundert, because the Brabant team took the two matchpoints in its own arena, beating Prinsen 6-2. The only match lost, was the clash on center court where Roland Forthomme couldn't handle Dick Jaspers: 50-38 in 31.
The man of the match day was Frédéric Caudron (Dallinga) in Rosmalen with an impressive score against Davy van Havere (50-21 in 15). The Zeeland's captain scored his last 21 caroms in only three innings (15, 0 and 6) and shared the joy of his team that left Post Luchtkanalen far behind (8-0).
Jeffrey Jorissen was another luminary in this round in his match against Thorsten Frings (50-14 in 20). Just before the break, the Hague bartender made the gap with thirteen and he finished with a final rush of eight, his best match so far. Jean van Erp was the other winner for Buffalo. Dave Christiani however, in a sparkling form for some weeks, couldn't find his touch: 50-34 in 34.
Holland Mineral sneaked into the top three with a striking victory over A1 Biljarts (6-2). Eddy Merckx, who bested Murat Naci Coklu 50-37 (31) could not prevent the team loss. Stefan Galla (50-41 against Burgman in 31), Therese Klompenhouwer (50-47 against Van der Spoel in 50) and Stefan Spilleman (50-46 against Wienk in 51) took the Lochemer's win. Therefore the team is on top-three stage now, two points behind the two leaders.
Eekhoorn could not fulfill its favorite role against 't Hartje: the 4-4 was a minor setback. Frank Martens, the best man in the match with a 41 innings victory and Wim van Cromvoirt were succesful fort heir team. De Distel could finally win in the away match against VDO, partly thanks to a strong Gerwin Valentijn (in 28 innings).
MCR/De Uitspanning and STZ Zundert lead with twelve out of seven, followed by Holland Mineraal with ten points and Buffalo.nl and Eekhoorn with nine. A1 Biljarts keep the leaders in sight with eight. In the middle part are Prinsen, Dallinga (six points) and De Distel with four. 't Hartje, Post Luchtkanalen (both with three) and VDO with two are in the danger zone.