3-Cushion
SLUISKIL - Eddy Merckx is still on a high from his World Cup win in Guri, Corea. In the Dutch eredivisie, where only four matches were played this weekend, the Belgian was the best player of the round with a 50 point win in 19 innings, helped by runs of thirteen and twelve. His team, AEJ/Dallinga, easily stayed on top of the table, despite the absence of Frédéric Caudron who renews his wedding vows with Jessica on her home soil, and will return tomorrow.
The leader played against Holland Mineraal fronted by Dick Jaspers (a good win over Stefan Galla, 50-42 in 21). Eddy Merckx (50-25 against Frans van Schaik in 19, Jean Paul de Bruijn (50-50 against Jelle Pijl in 40 innings, JP drawing with a two) and Berry Dallinga, who edged Ronny Hazenwinkel in a long grinder of a match (50-49 in 72).
Eddy Merckx had his two moments in the tenth and nineteenth innings, when he first ran a thirteen and then closed with twelve. It made him the best player of the round, followed by Dick Jaspers and Dave Christiani, who needed 21 innings. The man from Limburg was way better than Gerwin Valentijn, to give him a major share in the 6-2 win of his team MCR De Uitspanning in their away game against De Distel Biljarts.
The most exciting match was between Eddy Leppens and Jef Philipoom. The two Belgians were 40-40 after 20 beurten, but it took 40 innings before Leppens crossed the line at 50-48. ,,We were both playing well until that 40-40 mark, then the balls rolled ever so awkward '', said Eddy Leppens later.
With Leppens finished, Philipoom needed two points in the equalizer, but he missed from the spots. John Tijssens beat Richard Bitalis 50-36 (33). And there was the 82-innings match won by Peter Loenen against Hans van der Wurf.
Biljartcafé Jorissen maintains its prime position thanks to a good 6-2 victory over Capelle De Terp. Two matches could have gone either way. Glenn Hofman was trailing 48-40 against Emilio Sciacca, clawed his way back after four consecutive misses by the Italian, but then missed his final point in the equalizing inning: 50-49 in 36.
Herman van Daalen and Peter van Lieshout produced that same scenario in reverse: 50-49 in 60 to the Hague. Jeffrey Jorissen made a run of thirteen, like he did last week. It won him the match against Dan Breur: 50-41 in 30. Jean van Erp beat Tom Persijn by the same score, but it took him 42 innings.
,,We are performing above expectations'', said Jeffrey Jorissen after his match. ,,And these two points go in the bag'', chimed in Glenn Hofman.
Pressplate Machielsen.fr lost a valuable point in the home game against Post Luchtkanalen, Mostly because Roland Forthomme has momentarily lost his touch (losing 50-37 in 40 innings) against Davy van Havere who is having a good stretch.
Peter Ceulemans and Barry van Beers proved to be the team's strong shoulders, with wins over Huub Wilkowski and Wilco van Wijk. Marc Celen for the guests beat Raymon Groot 50-35 in 53.