3-Cushion
BARENDRECHT/ZUNDERT - There was a billiard table too difficult, because the cloths were brand new, the other was difficult because the cloths were too old. Sander Jonen, former artistic world artistic, told us a nice anecdote: ,,Three years ago, 200 billiard players were complaining in my billiard room, because the tables were bad. And Frédéric Caudron played a 50 caroms match in fifteen innings, on the same table, in the same week. I could not help but 200 times gloat over...''
The Dutch three cushion league has been launched on Sunday with six matches on the highest level. The first day was marked by Jean Paul de Bruijn's and Eddy Leppens' strong comeback, Raymon Groot who was match winner for his team and Willem Hofman's comeback to the billiards tables. The well-known Dutch and international referee had a second knee surgery on the 4 of June and has two new knees. Now. ,,I have fully recovered'', he said after his comeback in the match between STZ Zundert and 't Hartje/Van Wanrooij, which ended with a 5-3 victory for the home team.
The first leaders, with the maximum score, are De Uitspanning from Barendrecht and A1 Biljarts A1 from Apeldoorn. Both teams kicked off with a smooth 8-0 victory: De Uitspanning with one of Eddy Leppens'strong finishes against Frans van Kuyk (50-48 after being 20-4 down). A1 Biljarts was the better team on all tables in the away match against VDO.
Frédéric Caudron, on the new cloths against De Distel, played a superb match. He was the best day winner beating Gerwin Valentijn 50-30 in 22. Jean Paul de Bruijn gained victory for his team, the reigning champion Dallinga: the Zeeuw was almost outplayed by his opponent (41-20), but with 48-40 for the Belgian on the score board, Jeepee came back with a run of eight and after two missed match points at 49-49, he took the game.
The ranking was divided into six winners and six losers on the first day. The gain of STZ Zundert, a finalist last year in the playoffs, was extremely tight. Roland Forthomme (against Martin Spoormans, 50-26 in 29) and Peter Ceulemans (against Ad Koorevaar, 50-38 in 27) caught up after Barry Beers' loss against Frank Martens (50-49 in 43). And it didn't look very well when Dirk Weeremmans finished at 50-46 against Raymon Groot. The youngest player in the Zundert team resisted the pressure in the equalizer, scored four times and took the 5-3 win for his team.
Raymon Groot took Zundert's win in the equalizer
A1 Biljarts launched itself as one of the main candidates for the playoffs with an 8-0 victory in the away match against VDO. Eddy Merckx was the best winner vs Rudy de Laet: 50-28 in 26. In the match between two seasoned players, Raimond Burgman and Arie Weijburg, Burgman won 50-42 in 38.
The eastern derby in Hotel Restaurant Prinsen ended with a 6-2 victory for the home team, which was the better on three tables against Holland Mineral/Bousema. Therese Klompenhouwer, on top of her team, watched a big margin against Anno de Kleine after five innings: 25-1. The final score was a bit more bearable 50-29 in 31. Jelle Pijl defeated Frans van Schaik (50-44 in 38), Michel van Silfhout won the marathon against Stefan Spilleman (50-48 in 65) and only Rymund Swertz lost for Princen vs Wesley de Jaeger (50-37 in 47).
Eddy Leppens showed his all time spirit in the 'Sahara desert of Barendrecht' in his battle with Frans van Kuyk. Dave Christiani defeated Kurt Ceulemans 50-31 in 26 and Torsten Frings made his debut for the team against Kenny Miatton with a 50-41 win in 43. Sander Jonen bested Jerry Hermans 50-47 in 50.
The Hague Buffalo.nl team had a slow start, but could beat Post Luchtkanalen (6-2). Glenn Hoffman, who missed the warm-up (not too many practicing during his Colombian honeymoon) was the only loser in the team against Davy Havere 50-45 in 39.
A1 Biljarts with Eddy Leppens, Dave Christiani, Thorsten Frings and Sander Jonen started with an 8-0 victory
Willem Hofman (left) with the Egyptian referee Antoine Chard, made his comeback to the billiard tables with two new knees.