3-Cushion
ZUNDERT - The tension is still on for the return match in the final of the playoffs in the Dutch premier league three cushion between Pressplate/Machielsen and Dallinga/AEJ. The two teams remained in balance in their first match, last night in Zundert, by victories of Jean Paul de Bruijn and Barry van Beers. In the two decisive matches, Dallinga team took the win (6-2), with an eleven caroms advantage for the return.
Frédéric Caudron first caught up the difference in caroms after the break. The Belgian team captain faced a little backlog against Roland Forthomme (41-39) but was going with the flow at the end with two runs of five: 50-41 in 27 innings. And Dick Jaspers defeated Peter Ceulemans in the last match 50-45 in 30.
Pressplate started with a 3 points margin before the break when Barry van Beers beat Eddy Merckx 50-30 in 29 and Jean Paul de Bruijn was 17 caroms ahead with his victory against Raymon Groot (50-33 in 49 innings).
The match could hung in balance with that 2-2, still when Caudron and Forthomme both could win in the last part and Dick Jaspers and Peter Ceulemans both had a chance to win at 34-34 in 22 innings.
Caudron eventually set the tone for the match with his two decisive runs and also Jaspers had the better final stage against Peter Ceulemans: 50-45 in 30 innings.
Dallinga/AEJ starts the return on Sunday in its home match in Sluiskil (13.00) with a 6-2 lead and eleven caroms ahead.
Frédéric Caudron in his strong final sprint against Roland Forthomme.