3-Cushion
SAINT-MAUR-DES-FOSSÉS - The French champion Jean-Christophe Roux has taken his third victory in the French ranking tournament in Sain-Maur after wins in 2003 and 2007. In the final match he defeated his teammate Jérémy Bury 40-36 in 30 innings.
On his way to the final, Roux met in the preliminaries first Paco Valente (Saint-Maur), whom he beat 35-26 in 44, followed by Jacques Bonnet (Andernos) 35-23 in 22, Eric Tromas (40-27 in 29) and he closed with a draw against Jean Reverchon.
In the quarterfinals was Roux too strong for Pierre Soumagne (40-34 in 47). Then, two players from Saint-Maur and two from Andernos showed up in the semi-finals.
Jean-Christophe Roux defeated Francis Connesson 40-37 in 29 innings, Jérémy Bury bested Jérôme Barbeillon 40-15 in fifteen (2.667 average, run of 13).
Francis Connesson was facing a 31-23 deficit in 24 innings in his match against Roux when he attacked by a run of 13 to 36-31. But in the next four innings Connesson could score only once. Roux eventually took the win with a final four.
Jérémy Bury finished second after the lost final with the best overall average (1.704). His best game was the brilliant semifinal against Jérôme Barbeillon.
Roux played 1.093 overall.
The following positions in the ranking are for Cédric Melnytschenko, Albert (1.244, high run 12), Bernard Baudoin, Andernos (0.917), Eric Brousses (0.885). Pierre Soumagne was eighth with 1.075.
The next ranking tournament will be held at Chatillon in the weekend of 22nd February.