Carom
BLANKENBERGE - What would in one of the game types on the highest podium? The best all-round player, who took the world title in one-cushion last year, closed the Multi championships in Blankenberge this weekend with a victory in one cushion. In the final round with five players, Caudron finished undefeated with 16.21 average.
He had focused mainly on three-cushion at this championship and didn't perform in the balk line types, to be top fit for the finals in three-cushion and one cushion.
Jef Philipoom however, was a major obstacle in three-cushion top stop Caudron on his way to the semifinals. ,,At least I have not lost, like in recent years, because I was tired'', Caudron said at the end of the tournament. ,,I was beaten by an opponent who was better at that moment.''
His title in one cushion, Caudron achieved in the last group match against Peter De Backer, the last year's champion in a duel with Caudron. The decisive match was primarily a strategic battle without big runs. ,,We both played for the win, so maybe the match was not so spectacular.''
Frédéric Caudron won his four matches against Eddy Leppens (150 in 8), Maarten Janssen (150 in 12), Martin Spoormans (150 in 3) and Peter De Backer. The match against Spoormans was one of the highlights of the tournament.
Patrick Niessen ended his tournament with the maximum score: four wins in four disciplines. On the final day he lost in the free game to a young Belgian talent, Maarten Janssen, 400-140 in one inning. His final title was therefore not in danger.
With these four final victories, Patrick Niessen was in the classic games the absolute star of this Multis. His best performance so far was a tournament with three victories. ,,But then I played the balk lines with Frédéric Caudron, so that's even more impressive.''
The top three in the classic games:
Free play:
1 Patrick Niessen 6-268.00-400
2 Andy de Bondt 6-75.18-398
3 Philippe Deraes 4-167.00-400.
47/2:
1 Patrick Niessen 8-12.00-300
2 Eddy Leppens 6-90.30-234
3 Jean Godeyne 2-31.68-111
47/1:
1 Patrick Niessen 8-40.00-200
2 Eddy Leppens 6-18.38-115
3 Philippe Deraes 2-11.38-54
71/2:
1 Patrick Niessen 6-37.68-179
2 Eddy Leppens 6-33.92-198
3 Philippe Deraes 6-24.33-200
One cushion:
1 Frédéric Caudron 8-16.21-79
2 Eddy Leppens 5-9.25-59
3 Peter De Backer 5-8.11-74.