3-Cushion
MERKSEM - The two main contenders for the title in the Belgian three cushion league for teams, BC Deurne and BC De Ploeg, faced each other already on the second day of the competition. The match turned out into an exciting fight, won by the title holder Deurne 5-3.
Dick Jaspers was the best of all in his match against Martin Horn. The Dutchman, who had an amazing weekend with two high level matches in the German league, had a flying start in his Monday mach, ran out to 35-7 in six innings and eventually won 50-22 in 14 innings.
The decisive match between Eddy Merckx and Jef Philipoom, after Wesley de Jaeger had beaten Davy van Havere in an excellent match (42-27 in 25) and Jean Paul de Bruijn had tied with his compatriot Jean van Erp, was a troubled and much discussed battle.
Jef Philipoom led 47-39 at the end, missed his 48th point (two cushions, said the referee, three cushions, said Philipoom) and lost the match: Merckx made a seven after the debatable miss and sprinted to the finish in his next inning: 50-48 in 34 innings.
BC Deurne therefore won 5-3 and is the leader in the rank now along with De Goeie Queue. Both teams have the maximum, four points out of two matches. Biljart Express is third with three match points, followed by a group of five teams with two points.
De Goeie Queue won the away match against De Witte Molen in Sint Niklaas with an impressive team average: 2.033. Peter Ceulemans was the big hitter with 2.470, Johan Claessen dealed with Ronny Brants (42-24 in 27), Eddy Leppens outsprinted Francis Forton 50-25 in 24 and only Frédéric Caudron lost the game points in a magnificent battle with Glenn Hoffman.
The young Dutchman could keep pace with the maestro from the start, was trailing 34-29 in 12 innings, but then tied the score at 43-42. Hofman’s final sprint was great: he snatched the win by 50-47 in 21 innings.
KBC Zanzibar scooped victory against BC Herentals 6-2: the main match on table one was won by Roland Forthomme: he beat Christian Rudolph 50-30 in 30 innings. Geert Meylemans took the only win for Herentals with 1.312 average.
De Ploeg 2 made a promising start in the highest league: after a tight loss on the first day, BC Op de Meir was knocked down 6-2 now. Eddy Willems Jr. starred on table four with 1.400 average against Marc Roofthooft.
BC Bijart Express got the better of Mr 100 Lier (6-2) and forced the Ceulemans team to the last place without any points so far. Raymond Ceulemans was the best of his team, winning the friends quarrel against Martin Spoormans: 42-39 in 27 innings, 1.555 for the old master.