3-Cushion
KORTRIJK - The frontman is able to win them all, the numbers two and three are real winners and only the fourth position is vulnerable this team in the team of Quality Zele. The new team, with Eddy Merckx as the new leader, wants to compete for the top three in Belgium. ,, For the title we're not strong enough, the ambiton is around the top three'', said team captain Dirk Vlerick last night after the 6-2 victory in the away match against Koninklijke Kortrijkse.
The victory was very important for the team. Peter de Backer, who defeated Henk Blauwblomme 50-45 in 45 innings, said: ,,This is always a tough opponent for us, I am glad we've won the two match points.''
Eddy Merckx: ,,I think the team of De Ploeg, with Horn and Philipoom, is the strongest, BC Deurne is very good, but only if Dick Jaspers plays and he will not be in the team every week. We must continue to gather points and hope that our competitors make some missepts. And then, why can't we play for the title?''
Glenn Hofman was an important player for the team last night. The young Dutchman tied in his match against Richard Bitalis thanks to a run of ten in the closing innings, when he catched up with his opponent. The matched ended 42-42 in 32 innings.
Eddy Merckx dashed off the match against Ronny Brants with a lot of beautiful shots and position playing. He never was in trouble (50-29 in 26), Peter de Backer defeated Blauwblomme, only Dirk Vlerick lost against Cédric Melnytschenko, who made the gap with a run of eleven around the break (42-17 in 31). The run of the young Frenchman was the highest of the evening.
Dirk Vlerick, the figurehead of the team of Quality, is on the tables the weakest link. ,,I will change my positition with Berry Dallinga every now and then, but still we are not too strong on that position.''