Home challenger Mehernosh Billimoria of Bombay Gymkhana took optimum advantage of the conditions to comfortably march past his first opponent Sunil Khaturia of Garware Club House. Billimoria, starting with a scratch handicap had no problems adjusting to the home tables and beat back the challenge from Khaturia (+10 handicap) as he raced to 200-165 victory in a first round match of the Bombay Gymkhana Handicap Billiards Tournament, and played at the Bombay Gymkhana billiards hall.
Mehernosh Billimoria of Bombay Gymkhana defeated Sunil Khaturia of Garware Club House in a first round match of the Bombay Gymkhana Handicap Billiards Tournament.
In another match, Shailesh Rao of Matunga Gymkhana also playing with a scratch handicap easily got past Suresh Sawant (-30) of Mandpeshwar Civic Foundation by 200-153 points margin to advance to the second round.
Meanwhile, Nitin Banka of Malabar Hill Club and playing with a -90 handicap was in complete control and strolled past Gregory D’Souza of Catholic Gymkhana (scratch handicap) by a convincing 200-146 point’s margin.
Walter Vaz, a Bombay Gym marker, also tasted success. Vaz (-60) overcame Chirag Mehta of Garware Club House (-70) 200-126 in another first round clash.
Results (round-1): Mehernosh Billimoria (Bombay Gym, Scratch) beat Sunil Khaturia (Garware Club House, +10) 200-165; Shailesh Rao (Matunga Gym, Scr) beat Suresh Sawant (MCF, -30) 200-153; Lalit T Jham (Park Club, -60) beat Saumil Karkera (Garware, -70) 200-182; Nitin Banka (MCH, -90) beat Gregory D’Souza (Catholic, SCR) 200-146; Walter Vaz (Bombay Gym, -60) beat Chirag Mehta (Garware, -70) 200-126.