3-Cushion
HEERHUGOWAARD - The Dutch top team of De Heeren/Millers Biljarts is the first finalist for the playoffs in the league. The victory in the double against Pressplate/Machielsen was a touch-and-go win: the Branbant team sold its life dearly in the return after the 6-2 loss in its own venue.
Roland Forthomme even won his match against Dick Jaspers after a great final sprint (16 in three innings) in the best match over two days: 50-44 in 22. And Peter Ceulemans restrained Eddy Merckx in a head-to-head race at the end: 50-50 in 33.
But ultimately it was good for a 5-3 victory, not enough for Pressplate to reach the final matches after the 2-6 one day before.
Two players made the maximum win for their team in the double. Frans van Kuijk (De Heeren) won both matches against Barry van Beers (45-40 in the second) and Raymon Groot (Pressplate) was twice the better of Dick van Uum.
And because Jaspers and Forthomme remained in balance over two matches, Eddy Merckx' draw in the second match was decisive. The Belgian champion needed two points for the equalizer against Peter Ceulemans and managed to make the key caroms.
The result is that De Heeren/Millers plays in the final later this month against the winner of the duel between Dallinga-Frans Bevers and De Distel Biljarts. That first meeting is played tonight (Thursday) in Sluiskil. Saturday is the return in Roosendaal.