3-Cushion
LEUVEN - The top match in the Belgian competition between Zanzibar and De Goeie Queue turned into a high tension match. The leader, who was considered invulnerable, was in troubles with its top team, but survived: 5-3 in Leuven. Roland Forthomme and Frédéric Caudron met in a neck-and-neck race on center court and played a tie: 50-50 in 40 innings.
Before the break, Kenny Miatton surprised with a victory over Eddy Merckx (42-39 in 24), so that the fate for De Goeie Queue was in the hands of Dick Jaspers and Jean Paul de Bruijn. The Dutch champion and winner of the World Cup in Porto, Dick Jaspers, defeated his country man Dave Christiani 50-31 in 34 and Jean Paul de Bruijn was superior in his match against Pierre Soumagne. The Frenchman was not a shadow of the player he was in recent weeks. He was beaten 42-17 in 29.
De Goeie Queue is after the 5-3 win the only unbeaten team in the league with six points out of three games. Zanzibar and Deurne both have one loss against the leader and share second place with 4 points.
BC Deurne prevailed at three tables in its home match against Royal Brugse. Former Belgian cup winner Davy van Havere was surprised by Patrick Vasseur. The Dutchman finished in 35 innings, his opponent had to make four points for a draw, but missed after three caroms (44-41).
Torbjörn Blomdahl defeated Henk Blauwblomme 50-25 in 36, Jef Philipoom beat Bart Leys 50-23 in 36 and Jean van Erp bested Koen Saver 42-22 in 28.
The other three matches ended in a draw: Herentals against Op de Meir, De Ploeg 1 vs. Biljart Express and Sint Truidense against De Ploeg 2. Dirk Weeremans was one of the best winners as he kept the veteran Martin Spoormans far behind: 42-19 in 32 innings.
Frans van Kuyk and Ronny Lindemann played the best game of this matchday. The Dutchman, leader in the Biljart Express team, won 50-40 in 21 innings.
Eddy Leppens reached the finish with a five caroms lead over Martin Horn in the encounter between Herentals and Op de Meir. Christian Rudolph defeated Barry van Beers 50-44 in 34.
De Witte Molen plays tonight (Tuesday) against Biljartvrienden.