1-Cushion
The last matches were more exciting than expected, Frederic Caudron had to admit that. More on his chair than at the billiard the new (and reigning) champion in one cushion watched the demonstration of Eddy Leppens, who played Caudron to his first loss of the tournament: 250-50 in nine innings.
Caudrons title chances were not really in danger, because the average of the champion was pretty much higher than that of Leppens and Peter de Backer, who was playing on the other billiard against Peter Niessen. So it seemed that Caudron had nothing to fear.
,,I might have counted too much'', Caudron said later. ,,I knew I could permit Eddy to make zero caroms in eight innings, so there was a small miracle needed to take my title.''
Yet Eddy Leppens, who had tied with Caudron in the 47/1, did the best all-rounder once again a little pain, especially with his fabulous run of 88, played in the eighth inning. Caudron then had 41 points on the score board, Leppens seemed to end the match, but missed at two points from the end.
Caudron answered with seven, then Leppens finished with two. ,,I have playd a few incredible rappels'', Caudron reacted, ,,but then I missed two balls that were up for grabs.''
What prevailed was the joy of another title, his 75th Belgian title in total, the sixteenth in one cushion.
Eddy Leppens, who was third in the ranking after Peter de Backer, was especially happy with his victory over Caudron. ,,I am the only player that beat Frédéric and took one point of him earlier this week. Therefor I can be a little proud.''
Peter de Backer closed his tough week with a victory in his favorite discipline against Patrick Niessen: 150-143 in eight innings. He earned the second place with it, however he doesn't like those positions. ,,For me only titles count, no places of honor'', he said earlier this week.
,,But if I overlook the tournament in one cushion now, I still had a little chance to grab the title today. I spoiled five innings in the match with Eddy Leppens, because there was a little problem with the balls. And Eddy also did. Otherwise, we the title of Frédéric was not so sure as it was now.''