Carom
LANKENBERGE - ,,I'm going to take Jef with me to a nice bar,'' Dirk Weeremans said last night (Wednesday), looking forward to his match against Jef Philipoom in the morning session of Thursday. The two players both are members of De Ploeg, one (Philipoom) is playing for the first team, the other (Weeremans) for the second.
And of course, Jef Philipoom was the towering favorite in the battle between two broghers in arms, because his honor roll is so much bigger and he has so many years of experience compared to his opponent.
,,I must try to trick him'', said Weeremans with a broad smile. ,,If I can take Jef with me and we drink some 'Duvels', he will not be fit tomorrow. And then I have a chance to win.''
But... Jef has rented an apartment in Blankenberge with his wife and child, so he cannot be tempted for a late night bar visit. So, he came fit to the table, with a lot of ambitions, but could not show the eager of a winner.
His opponent seemed on his way to a sensational win near the end. He balanced with Philipoom until 32-30, but then, with the finish in sight, Philipoom attacked with four to 38 and closed the game after having missed a few matchballs: 40-34 in 47.
Two walk-overs and one hard fight. That's what the crowd saw in the first three cushion session of the day.
Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Leppens showed a better form at the other tables and took the win in a quick match. Caudron defeated Kurt Ceulemans and let him far behind with 40-17 in 18 innings. Leppens trumped Ronny Daniels, whom he beat 40-18 in 25 innings.
Thus are six players known from the eight for the eighth finals. Roland Forthomme won last night against Frédéric Mottet (40-33 in 26), Peter Ceulemans overwhelmed Michel van Camp (40-15 in 24) and Francis Forton had a bad start and a better finish aginst Henk Blauwblomme (40-28 in 36).