Four teams for the play-offs are known

HAARLO - A1 Biljarts is the frontrunner again on top of the Dutch team competition, Etikon dropped to third places after two losses, Topteam Berkelland defeated the multiple champion in Haarlo twice and after these results in the top of the ranking, the four teams for the play-offs are known. A1 Biljarts, 't Ottertje, Etikon and Topteam Berkelland will battle it out for the title in the balk-line/one cushion competition. A1 Biljarts is the main favourite, Etikon already lost many points in the regular season.

The top guns made to many mistakes so far in the former champion team. Jean Paul de Bruijn, for example, lost in one cushion twice to Eddy Leppens this weekend (100-84 and 100-51 in eight innings), Patrick Niessen, who won and lost against Marek Faus (150-143 in eight and loss 150- 12 in two in the 71/2), is vulnerable. Ferry Jong lost his two matches against Roy van Raaij 200-56 in six and his second 200-112 in 5. Roij van Raaij starred in the first match with a final run of 165 in the sixth. At the other table, Marek Faus had a comfortable lead in the 71/2 against Patrick Niessen (143-58), but after he missed four times, his opponent took the match with a run of 92.

The Belgian Eddy Leppens surprised both in the first round and in the second with a victory over Jean Paul de Bruijn in one cushion, both in eight innings. Marek Faus took his revenge in the second bump with Patrick Niessen, 150-12 in two innings. Thanks to the double victory, Topteam Berkelland is at least among the best four, the places that are rewarded with a performance in the play-offs.

A1 Biljarts/De Veemartkt took a double victory over Horna De Vries (6-0 and 4-2) thanks to excellent performances by Raymund Swertz and Michel Silfhout in the 71/2 and one cushion. Ludger Havlik lost one time against Sam van Etten 200-69 in two innings. Van Silfhout won his matches in one cushion in 14th and eighth innings, Swertz in 71/2 in seven and four.

't Ottertje continues doing very well in this competition with Micha van Bochem, Martien van der Spoel and Jos Bongers, who defeated the team Egbersbeek twice (6-0 and 4-2). Martijn Egbers scored the only points for the opponent against Martien van der Spoel. Benelux Billiards and BIOS Blitz shared the profits (4-2 and 2-4), like Dibo-the City and Landswelvaren did: 4-2 and 2-4.

A1 Biljarts leads the rankings one match day before the final round with 27 points ahead of 't Ottertje and Etikon 25 and Topteam Berkelland 20. At the bottom, BIOS Blitz has 11 points, Dibo-the City and Horna de Vries 9 and Landswelvaren 8.