3-Cushion
LOCHEM - The Agipi Masters in Schiltigheim surely have influenced the league in Holland. TOVV.nl/MCR, the leader, lost his first match in the twelfth round, while the team was unbeatened so far. The main player, Eddy Merckx, was missing. He played in the preliminary rounds of the Agipi Masters. Without the Belgian the TOVV team was beaten by DBL Holland: 6-2.
The competitors in the top five benefited from the misstep. A1 Biljarts came on top and joined the leader thanks to a win against Hatrans Twente: 5-3. Snellen Recycling won the derby against DKM Tools 6-2 and is only one point behind now. Frans Bevers defeated Martens Cleaning 8-0.
Steffan Galla and Anno de Kleine were the big hitters in the DBL team in the duel with TOVV. The German showed an excellent form against Dave Christiani, who had shown his great form already for some weeks, but he could'nt stop Galla, who won 50-36 (31 innings). Anno de Kleine sparkled in his match with Richard Bitalis (50-29 in 29) and Jelle Pijl made the gab with a run of ten against Emilio Sciacca: he won 50-43 in 40.
The frontmen made the difference for A1 Biljarts in the match against Hatrans. Dion Neline was outstanding in the end of his match against Christian Rudolph. The Dane closed the duel with runs of 14, 6 and 6 in the last three innings. Rudolph was on 26 points at the finish, despite a run of 12. The match score was 50-26 in 20 innings, the shortest match of the playing round.
Jens Eggers had a promising start against Raimond Burgman (20-8 in seven innings), but gradually spoiled his advantage. The experienced Burgman stepped on in an attack to the end and won 50-42 in 29. Dave van Geel levelled against Martien van der Rinse with a run of six in the equalizer.
Snellen took a 4-0 lead in the match against DKM Tools. Harrie van de Ven defeated Frank Martens, Frédéric Mottet, substitute for Roland Forthomme who played in Agipi, won his duel with Ad Brothers.
The highlight of the day was the bump between Peter Ceulemans and his uncle Kurt. Peter had a start lik a rocket (42-23 in 27), but couldn't continue his rhythm. He escape in the last innings, after a great pursuit of his opponent, who was so close to a surprising win. Peter eventually finished in an exciting final phase of both players. He won 50-49 in 42 innings. Jan Arnouts defeated Barry van Beers 50-39 in 38.
Frans Bevers was a bridge to far for Martens Cleaning in the derby in Sluiskil. The high run of Glenn Hofman (13) was one of the most remarkable moments. The wins of Eddy Leppens, Peter de Backer, Jean Paul de Bruijn and Glenn Hofman lifted the score to 8-0.
De Hazelaar against Berendhaus Groep ended in 4-4, as well as Van de Broek/Hanbat against Dekker Keukens. Therese Klompenhouwer and Hans van der Wurf undoubtedly played one of the longest matches of the league this year: 50-47 for Therese in 70 innings. Dekker played without Jef Philipoom (in Agipi) and John Tyssens (in the Austraian championship for teams). Ronny Daniels (win against Jeffrey Jorissen) and Jakob Haeck Sörensen (win against Frans van Schaik) were the substitutes.