3-Cushion
ZUNDERT - The Belgians Eddy Leppens and Roland Forthomme are very close to a place in the quarterfinals at the Christmas tournament in Zundert. After two rounds in the Groups A and B, Leppens achieved four match points and 2.040 average (run of 17). It was by far the best score of the opening day. Forthomme leads his group undefeated with 1.886 average.
Two groups have completed two laps, in Group C, with Eddy Merckx and Barry van Beers, only one round was played. Barry van Beers had an excellent start with a victory over Martin Spoormans (50-20) in 28 innings. Eddy Merckx defeated the French rookie Pierre Soumagne in his first match 50-38 in 38.
Peter Ceulemans and Raimon Groot, the other two players of the home team (with Roland Forthomme and Barry van Beers) entered the tournament with a win and a loss. Peter Ceulemans defeated Hague-born Glenn Hoffman to the line 50-47 in 37 and was then trumped by Leppens 50-19 in 18. Leppens attacked in the first part of the match irresistible with a 17-run.
Raimon Groot lost to Leppens 50-30 (31), but bested Glenn Hofman in the evening sessions 50-40 in 43 innings.
Group B has a proud leader after two rounds: Roland Forthomme after wins over Dustin Jäschke (50-32 in 22) and Jean van Erp (50-27 in 31). The Belgian is facing Gerwin Valentijn in his last group match. Valentijn is second with two match points and 1.531. De Brabant player lost in his first match to Jean van Erp (50-48 in 41) after a strong final sprint in the late part. In the second session, Valentijn was too strong for Jäschke (50-29 in 21) with a run of twelve as a major attack.
The ranking in these two groups:
Group A:
1 Eddy Leppens 2-4-2.040-17
2 Peter Ceulemans 2-2-1.254-9
3 Raimon Groot 2-2-1.081-6
4 Glenn Hoffman 2-0-1.087-8
Group B:
1 Roland Forthomme 2-4-1.886-8
2 Gerwin Valentijn 2-2-1.531-7
3 Jean van Erp 2-2-1.069-12
4 Dustin Jäschke 2-0-1.109-8.
Roland Forthomme, two wins and almost in the quarters
The first matches for today, Monday, are:
12:00, Group D:
Martin Horn-Kenny Miatton
Raimond Burgman-Thorsten Frings
14.00 Group A:
Eddy Leppens-Glenn Hoffman
Peter Ceulemans-Raimon Groot
16.00, Group B:
Jean van Erp-Dustin Jäschke
Roland Forthomme-Gerwin Valentijn.
The groups C and D play their last matches today at 19.00 and 21.00 and Tuesday at 14.00 and 16.00. Followed Tuesday at 19.00 and 21.00 by the quarterfinals.
Barry van Beers excelled in a strong start with a win over Martin Spoormans
Dutch champion Jean van Erp, a win and a loss on the opening day
Peter Ceulemans, today in a battle with Raimon Groot for a place in the quarters
Pierre Soumagne started the tournament with a loss against Merckx.