3-Cushion
ZUNDERT – The three cushion team Dallinga/Frans Bevers have succesfully completed their first mission. For the first time in the existence of this top foursome, the Dutch Cup was won when they beat the holders TOVV.nl/MCR in the final, in
Biljartcentrum Den Hoek in Zundert. Frédéric Caudron on centre court won the prestige battle with Eddy Merckx (3-1), and then it was up to the other three: Eddy Leppens, Jean Paul de Bruijn and Glenn Hofman to finish the job.
,,I am over the moon'', said team manager and sponsor Jan Kikken and sponsor Meerten Dallinga unisono. Jan Kikken showed once again what an optimist he is: ,,I am convinced we are going to win the championship as well.''
The decision in the Cup final fell on the table where Glenn Hofman took on Richard Bitalis. Eddy Leppens in his match against Frans van Kuyk was very close to an early knockout (2-0 and matchball for 3-0), but he missed a difficult point and saw his opponent close out the set.
The final duel saw TOVV draw first blood on three tables (Merckx winning the first set, as well as Christiani and Bitalis) then turned for the team from Zeeland. Jan Kikken announced during the match: ,,How nice it would be to win 8-0, that would give us a boost for the play-offs.’’
Players, team captain and sponsor have now won the Cup and continue on their quest for the title. TOVV.nl/MCR has been dethroned as Cup holder, and A1 is no longer in the race for the title.
Dallinga/Frans Bevers, TOVV.nl/MCR, Snellen Recycling and Martens Cleaning will start on the first stage of the play-offs this week. Tomorrow (monday) sees the first match, in the room where the Cup final was played: Snellen Recycling will take on TOVV in their semifinal.
The team from Vlaardingen is in its last season, Eddy Merckx and Frans van Kuyk will transfer to Amsterdam, and they were unable to threaten Dallinga in this final. Their last group match may have been formidable, the semifinal and final were inconsistent overall.
Eddy Merckx started off strong against Caudron (15-9 in 7), but then was overrun by a Caudron firing on all cylinders. Dallinga’s front man even recorded a 15-0 set in 3 inings, after an opening run of 13.
As the nr. 1 player was now home and dry, Eddy Leppens was 2-0 ahead against Frans van Kuyk, Jean Paul de Bruijn was neck and neck with Christiani and Glenn Hofman could square off with Bitalis.
The last verse was sung almost entirely by Dallinga players, even if Dave Christiani grabbed one more set from Jean Paul de Bruijn, making it 2-2.
One more match had to be brought home. Glenn Hofman made the deciding point for a 3-1 victory: the cheers, congratulations and the party for Dallinga/Frans Bevers could commence.
Frédéric Caudron, who averaged 2.250 for the tournament, was the best player in the final as well, with 2.250, ahead of Eddy Leppens with 1.833, Frans van Kuyk with 1.478, Glenn Hofman with 1.475 and Eddy Merckx with 1.391.
Dallinga had a team tournament average of 1.468, TOVV 1.285, Holland Mineraal 1.090, A1 Biljarts 0.970, Landswelvaren/Iets Anders 1.151, Post Luchtkanalen 1.181, Eekhoorn 1 0.833 en Hultermans Installatiebedrijf 0.692.
Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx shared the high run: 14.