3-Cushion
LAXOU - Two team mates from the Andernos club battled for the win in the Grand Prix in Laxou. Jérôme Barbeillon (second ranked before the start) defeated Francis Connesson, number four: 40-36 in 31. It was Barbeillon's fourth victory in a national tournament.
The strong performance started in the group stage on Saturday, when Barbeillon already outplayed Bernard Villiers (40-20 in 29) and Thierry Roxo (40-31 in 30). On the final day he first defeated Cédric Melnytschenko in the quarters 40-38 in 32, then Jean Reverchon in the semifinals 40-34 in 23 and in the final Francis Connesson.
After his loss in Saint-Maur in the semis against Pierre Soumagne in the first tournament and in Chartres in the final against Jean-Christophe Roux, the winner in Laxou climbed up to the top of the rankings with 258 points, ahead of Jérémy Bury with 234. Barbeillon's overall average was 1.379.
Francis Connesson was on his best with his fighting spirit and was responsible for the elimination of Jérémy Bury in the semifinals after a close finish: 40-38 in 33 innings. Therefor Connesson bested Jean-Marie Formont and Frédéric Beghin, the last in his best match over 28 innings.
In the quarters, Connesson fought a tough match with Frédérick Roelants, 40-24 in 51 innings. The overall average was 1.059.
The podium was completed by Jean Reverchon (1.140 average) and Jérémy Bury (1.449, the highest average of the tournament). Bury also recorded the two best matches of the weekend: 40 points in 21 against Bernard Baudoin and 40 in 22 against Louis Edelin.
The well-known referee Daniel Garonnat surprised with a top run of twelve.
The last tournament was scheduled in Andernos, the last weekend of March, but meanwhile the World Cup in Luxor is on the international calendar.
The ranking is now:
1 Jérôme Barbeillon, 258 points, 1.224.
2 Jérémy Bury, 234, 1.479
3 Pierre Soumagne 168, 1,098
4 Cédric Melnytschenko 153, 1,043'
5 Francis Connesson 144, 1.119
6 Jean Reverchon 135, 1.122
7 Jean-Christophe Roux 129, 1.110
8 Louis Edelin 102, 0.980.