Balk-Line 71/2
RONCHIN - The Belgian Patrick Niessen, who was the first player with a one inning match in the CEB Grand Prix 71/2 in Ronchin, achieved a speed of 220 points an hour for the 150 caroms. He did better than Caudron earlier on the day (2 innings).
The Belgians chase each other to great heights in the first rounds, because Caudron also finished in one inning in the early Saturday morning rounds against Frenchman Willy Gérimont (150-0).
And Caudron would not have been Caudron if he had not realized a better time average. The carom machine was searching for the good position on the lines, then found his rhythm and made the 150 points in 26.45 minutes, an average of 338 an hour.
These average times are officially maintained by the Kozoom scoreboards. The system time is updated: when players come below 200 points an hour, the time frame will be started by the referee.
Patrick Niessen made his 150 points in one inning against Frenchman Julien Florent, whom he defeated 150-0. Caudron had finished his first match in two innings.
Dave Christiani also had an excellent start with a four innings match against Patrick Leroy (150-17, run 77).
The leaders in the nine groups so far:
Group A: Alejandro Gil
Group B: Alvaro Gomez and Adam Baca
Group C: Dave Christiani
Group D: Philippe Deraes and Pavel Bohm
Group E: Patrick Niessen
Group F: Brahim Djoubri
Group G: Bernard Villiers
Group H: Martin Ravestijn
Pool I: Frédérick Caudron.