3-Cushion
MALLE - The second part of the ninth round in the Belgian first division, with two remaining matches, showed fireworks on three tables. The unstoppable Eddy Leppens, already for some weeks in a stunning form, played a flawless match again against Gerwin Valentijn.
Jean van Erp had a strong showing for De Ploeg and Frans van Kuyk triumphed in his match against Frédéric Caudron.
Glenn Hoffman had already delivered an excellent performance on Monday. The young Dutchman took revenge on Christian Rudolph, whom he lost in the semifinals at the European championship.
The ninth round was the day of highflyers: Eddy Leppens with 3.125 average, Jean van Erp 2.800, Frans van Kuyk 2.272, Glenn Hofman 2.173 and Dick Jaspers 2.083.
Best of all was Eddy Leppens topped of his 50 points match in only sixteen innings, finishing thirty points ahead of Gerwin Valentijn.
His team needed that win very hard: Peter Ceulemans signed up for 2-0 before the break (42-40 against Martin Spoormans after being 32-22 down). Johan Claessen had no chance against Guy van Litsenborg (42-21 in 31).
The key players had to flatten the way to the finish, but only Leppens grabbed the win. Frédéric Caudron (good start with 23-14 in 9) faced an excellent Frans van Kuyk after the break, who won 50-32 including runs of fourteen and eight in 22 innings.
Therefore De Goeie Queue-Biljart Express ended up 4-4.
BC De Ploeg came one point closer thanks to a 7-1 victory over BC de Meir. Barry van Beers was the only one who scored for the home team with a draw ( 50-50) against Martin Horn in 36 innings.
Jean van Erp stormed to a brilliant win and was streets ahead against Ivan Stitschinsky. The Dutchman finished in fifteen innings 42-17 and 2.800 average.
Glenn Hofman was on a mission one day before.
We go back to the European championships in Brandenburg, in April this year. The young Dutchman has reached by surprise the semi-finals of the tournament after victories over Filippos Kasidokostas, Rui Costa and Tayfun Tasdemir.
The young guy is preparing for the battle with Christian Rudolph for a place in the final. ,,I've never been to bed so early as I did that night'', Hofman told us later.
,,And it was a bad decision, because I'm used to go to sleep very late. I've been lying awake for hours and didn't feel fit at all the other day.'' He lost without a chance, in that semi-final, with a poor average: 40-23 in 41 innings. ,,That will never happen to me again,'' he said.
In the Belgian league, Hofman took his revenge on Monday. His team of De Witte Molen, number five on the ranks, traveled to BC Herentals where Glenn Hoffman was facing Christian Rudolph. And the Dutchman looked sharp and alive, this time, very fit and motivated. He beat the German 50-38 in 23 innings.
De Witte Molen won the match 6-2, because Francis Forton defeated Dave Christiani (50-38 in 38) and Ronny Brants showed himself the best against Geert Meylemans (42-26 in 25).
KBC Zanzibar and BC Meir were in balance in their encounter. Roland Forthomme defeated Wim van Cromvoirt 50-38 in 33 and was, together with Henk Habraken (50 in 33 against Kenny Miatton) the best player of the evening.
BC Deurne maintained on second spot in the table thanks to a 5-3 win over De Ploeg 2. Dick Jaspers prevailed against Thorsten Frings (50-25 in 24), Davy van Havere and Tom Persyn played a draw and Ludo Dielis overpowered Eddy Willems. Most surprising was Dirk Weeremans' win over Eddy Merckx (50-47 in 25, 1.851/1.740).