3-Cushion
ROSMALEN - The playoff contenders in the 'eredivisie'have lost points in the seventh round. The absolute favorite, AEJ/Dallinga capitalized with a maximum home win over De Distel Biljarts. Two teams in pursuit lost: Biljartcafé Jorissen and Pressplate Machielsen, MCR De Uitspanning scored a draw.
Star player of the day was Eddy Leppens, who gave his team (MCR) a valuable point against Capelle/De Terp. The Belgian played an exhibition match against his countryman Martin Spoormans: 50-17 in 18 innings. The other win was secured by Dave Christiani, who beat Ad Koorevaar 50-35 in 25 innings. Emilio Sciacca edged his match with Richard Bitalis by a single carom: 50-49 in 45 innings.
Eddy Leppens is back, now with a new employer, both in Holland and in Belgium. ,,I did not have the best start to the season'', he said, ,,because I have not had enough practice for a while. But last week and today (16 and 18 innings) demonstrate that I am where I want to be.'' His new teams are a challenge for him (MCR and Op de Meir). ,,I want to make it clear that I can perform well on board 1, in any team.''
His confrontation with Spoormans today, was characterized by fierce accelerations. ,,I had twelve in seven innings, then I produced runs of 10 (twice), and I added a six and a nine a few innings later, to be on 48 in 15.''
Biljartcafé Jorissen was unexpectedly hung out to dry in their away game against Post Luchtkanalen. Glenn Hofman and Jean van Erp had an off-day: Hofman was punished hard by Davy van Havere (50-42 in 52), Van Erp got dominated by Henk Habraken (50-34 in 35). Since Herman van Daalen also lost (50-48 to Marc Celen), Jeffrey Jorissen was the only winner. He played an excellent match against Wilco van Wijk: 50-28 in 25 innings.
Jean Paul de Bruijn was this week's highest scorer for AEJ, winning against Puck van Aart (50-21 in 25 innings). Frédéric Caudron beat Jef Philipoom (50-42 in 33), Dick Jaspers got the better of Gerwin Valentijn (50-41 in 33) and Eddy Merckx denied John Tijssens any chance of protest: 50-23 in 29.
HCR Prinsen versus Ripa Recycling/Pearle was decided in the second session. Dave van Geel lost to Dion Bergmans in a poor match (50-49 in 70) and Markus Galla drew with Jens van Dam in 54 innings. The team from Haarlo still had Christian Rudolph and Anno de Kleine to secure the win (5-3). The German had no problems with Francis Forton: 50-27 in 28, Anno de Kleine was the better finisher against Ronnie Daniels, thanks mostly to a run of thirteen: 50-44 in 33.
Holland Mineraal puts some distance between itself and the relegation spots with a 6-2 win over A1 Biljarts. Raimond Burgman was A1's only winner: he beat Stefan Galla 50-38 in 26. The home players excelled in making high runs: Stefan Galla 11, Jelle Pijl 11, Stefan Spilleman 14.
Pressplate Machielsen finds itself in a minor period: especially the main players were not in a best form in this round. Roland Forthomme lost 50-43 (36) against Kurt Ceulemans and Peter Ceulemans was beaten by Frank Martens (50-33 in 32).
Harrie van der Ven had a fantastic start against Barry van Beers with 24 in five innings. The home player came back slightly with a run of twelve, but was then knocked out by 50-32 in 30 innings.
Anno de Kleine defeated Ronnie Daniels including a run of thirteen.
Dallinga tops the list with 13 points out of seven games ahead of MCR 11, Jorissen 9, Princen, Pressplate and Post Luchtkanalen 7.