3-Cushion
MALLE - The Salpho billiard room was filled with spectators for the match between De Goeie Queue and BC Herentals, which was moved because of the three cushion World championship in Seoul. It turned out into a match with a lot of fireworks, an 8-0 victory for the AEJ team, a miraculous escape for Frédéric Caudron and a fantastic end rush of Dick Jaspers in exciting battles with the Germans Martin Horn and Christian Rudolph.
Most exciting was the match between the two frontrunners Frédéric Caudron and Martin Horn, in which the German took a big lead after the start: 41-20 in 13 innings. The Salpho leader couldn't start as he is used to and saw his opponent run away with some good runs.
When it seemed to be a 'mission impossible' for the world champion, the match turned the other way around. Caudron started his final sprint, showing his fighting spirit and encouraged by the home crowd. Thanks to a run of eight in the 16th inning, 4 and 6 in his last two innings, he grabbed the win (50-47 in 26).
Frédéric Caudron came back in his match against Martin Horn after a delay of 41-20 and won the match 50-47.
The highlight of the evening in the Salpho was the 19-run Dick Jaspers scored, bringing him to one carom from the finish in his match against Christian Rudolph. Both players couldn't shine with a strong start (7-0 in eight innings, 22-15 in 18 for Jaspers).
Then the Dutchman came up full speed, first with a run of eight and after a break a flawless 19. He missed his last point, but could flaunt with his amazing finish: 27 in 2 innings. The score: 50-27 in 24 innings.
Jean-Paul de Bruijn played before the break against Geert Meylemans and Eddy Merckx faced Leon Smolders.
Eddy Merckx started like a rocket, with stunning runs and strong defense play. Therefore, the score ran out to 19-3 after six innings. The experienced Smolders then shut the door for his opponent: Merckx missed eight times in a row (33-25 in 24), but eventually he won 42-28 in 32.
Jean Paul de Bruijn played a solid, controlled race, made some beautiful runs, defended very well and bested Meylemans with a large margin: 42-17 in 26.
Dick Jaspers with the Germans Martin Horn and Christian Rudolph during the matches in the Salpho.