3-Cushion
ZWAAG - Dick Jaspers is the winner of the fourth Grand Prix in the Netherlands. The world's number one defeated Raimond Burgman in the final after a close finish: 50-48. For Jaspers it was his first victory in the Grand Prix cycle this year. The three previous tournaments were won by Jean van Erp (2) and Martien van der Spoel.
Jaspers and Burgman, who played for the Netherlands two weeks ago in the European championships for national teams in Saint Brevin, met each others in an exciting finale. Jaspers led 26-21 in eight innings halfway thanks to runs of eight and eleven, Burgman started the match with a run of thirteen. The score was in balance for long (35-35 in 14, 42-41 in 16 and 48-45 in 25), but Jaspers had a stronger final sprint than his opponent.
Raimond Burgman had seeded for the final earlier today with a victory against Jean van Erp. The match was a very exciting fight until the last innings. Burgman grabbed the win with runs of three, three and eight in the final phase.
Dick Jaspers came up to the final beating Jean Paul de Bruijn. Jaspers had a spectacular start with 7, 3, 3, 6 and 3, took a 22-5 lead in 5 innings. De Bruijn fought himself back into the match with a beautiful run of thirteen in the ninth inning, even took a 43-40 lead, but couldn't continue that rhythm at the end. Jaspers beat his opponent 50-48 in 27 innings.
Dick Jaspers was already th leader of the national ranking and has strengthen his position by his victory in Zwaag.