3-Cushion
BERLICUM - The new Dutch three cushion champion comes from the group of eight finalists, including two world champions (Dick Jaspers and Jean van Erp), the Dutch number one, who defends his title (Raimond Burgman), the Hague player who is Dutch champion with his team (Glenn Hoffman), a 'Zeeuwse' player with an outstanding technique in all disciplines (Jean Paul de Bruijn), a 'Limburger' with unpredictable form peaks (Dave Christiani), a 'Nijmegenaar' who is a sort of an assassin in this tournament the last three years (Martien van der Spoel) and 27-year former football player (Jerry Hermans from Oosterhout) who's running a campsite, with an almost blank palmares, but already played a 40 match in 15 innings and made a high run of 18 as a new kid on the block.
The lights in the billiard arena of De Durpsherd were switched off on Friday night by three Brabant players and a folk singer, competing for the last two spots in the quarterfinals. The wonderful fan club of Jean van Erp had left the venue an hour ago. Proud and happy after the qualification of the local hero.
Ferry van der Veen (you love him or you don't, but a more colorful and tasteful 'Hagenees' than ever at the billiards microphone) announced the matches for the quarter finals at the end of a long day. The final days of the schedule look promising. With all the contenders who were assessed in advance.
On Saturday at 13.00:
Raimond Burgman-Jerry Hermans
Glenn Hoffman-Jean Paul de Bruijn
Saturday at 15.00:
Dick Jaspers-Dave Christiani
Jean van Erp-Martien van der Spoel.
Dick Jaspers and Jerry Hermans joined the last eight in the final session. The 'Brabanders' qualified, Roland Uijtdewillegen was out after his loss to Jaspers (40-19 in 24). Jerry Hermans bested Ad Koorevaar and finished second in the group.
Jean van Erp closed the preliminary rounds unbeaten with a victory over Frans van Schaik, Dave Christiani was second in that group after he beat Huub Wilkowski 40-13 in 24 innings.
Raimond Burgman recorded the best average (1.690) ahead of Dick Jaspers 1.666, Glenn Hoffman 1.632, Jean Paul de Bruijn 1.625 and Jean van Erp 1.445. Burgman, Jaspers and Van Erp remained unbeaten.
Dick Jaspers didn't show his brilliant form so far but is ready to make a bit for his 18th title in the Masters. He has missed it in the past two years. Three wins, 1.666 of average and a high run of 10 is what he recorded in the preliminaries. The best match was played by Jean van Erp in 19 innings, the highest run recorded by Glenn Hoffman, 13.
The final rankings in the groups:
Group A:
1 Raimond Burgman 6-1.690-8
2 Jean Paul de Bruijn 4-1.625-10
3 Jeffrey Jorissen 2-1.134-6
4 Therese Klompenhouwer 0-0.729-5
Group B:
1 Glenn Hoffman 4-1.632-13
2 Martien van der Spoel 4-1.384-6
3 Barry van Beers 4-1.287-9
4 Jeffrey van Nijnatten 0-1.184-6
Group C:
1 Jean van Erp 6-1.445-11
2 Dave Christiani 4-1.147-6
3 Huub Wilkowski 2-0.935-7
4 Frans van Schaik 0-0.594-6
Group D:
1 Dick Jaspers 6-1.6666-10
2 Jerry Hermans 4-0.828-9
3 Roland Uijtdewillegen 4-0.828-9
4 Ad Koorevaar 0-0.886-5.
