BLANKENBERGE - The first contenders for the podium places in the Multi's in Blankenberge enter the tournament today (Monday). Eddy Leppens, who won the Christmas tournament in Zundert last week, starts in his three-cushion group against Rudy de Laet at 11.00 and will meet Steven van Acker and Mathy Monnissen in the same group. Francis Forton and Maarten Janssen show up for the first match in the balk-line 47/1 (11.00) and in the opening session also Marco Janssen and Ronny Brants present to the audience for their match in three-cushion. Patrick Niessen starts his marathon in 71/2 against Robby Sonck.
The other favorites in three cushion and other disciplines, like Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Merckx, can be admired from today in Blankenberge. Merckx will start his three cushion tournament against Mathieu Vlerick (13.30) Caudron starts with one cushion against Francis Forton at 15.30 and later against Johan Devos 71/2 (20.30).
Patrick Niessen even comes three times to the tables: at 11.00 against Robby Sonck (71/2) at 13.30 against Philippe Deraes (47/1) and at 18.00 against Peter Debaes (47/2).
On the opening day (Sunday), Peter Debaes and Peter Mostrey were the first winners in the 5 pins. They both won their first match 2-0 against Mathy Monnissen (60-32/60-27) and Jeannot Mayeur (60-15/60-15). Michael Parent won two matches in three-cushion for juniors: against Dylan Parent 27-16 in 50, against Stef van Hees 30-23 in 49. Stef van Hees defeated Dylan Parent 26-17 in 50.
Maarten Janssen started his free game mission with a win over Johan Devos 400-32 in four (run 182), Peter Debaes sparkled with a 154 run in the 47/2 against Robby Sonck (300-45 in five) and Sonck won his 71/2 match vs Devos 250-218 in twenty innings.
The schedule for today, Monday:
11.00:
Three cushion: Eddy Leppens-Rudy de Laet
Marco Janssen-Ronny Brants
47/1: Maarten Janssen-Francis Forton
71/2: Patrick Niessen-Robby Sonck
13.30:
Three cushion: Eddy Merckx-Mathieu Vlerick
Mathy Monnissen-loser Group 1D
Steven van Acker-winner 1B
47/1: Patrick Niessen-Philippe Deraes
15:30:
5 pins: Martin Spoormans-loser Group A1
Three cushion: Winners 2A and 2B, losers 2A and 2B
Three cushion: Frédéric Caudron-Francis Forton
18.00:
Three cushion: Steven van Acker-loser 1B
Mathy Monnissen-winner 1B
Free game: Maarten Janssen-Robby Sonck
47/2: Patrick Niessen-Peter Debaes
20:30:
5 pins: Martin Spoormans-winner A1
Three cushion: Winner 2A-loser 2B
Winner 2A-loser 2B
71/2: Frédéric Caudron-Johan Devos.