Hosts Cricket Club of India ‘CCI Billiards Boys’ and Park Club ‘PCL Beach Boys’ registered contrasting victories to progress to the quarter-finals of the CCI Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League 2022 played at the Cricket Club of India’s Wilson Jones billiards hall late Wednesday evening. The league is being held in memory of Late Kekoo Nicholson, an ardent billiards enthusiast.
Playing on their home tables, CCI Billiards Boys (+130 handicap) were well-served by Rishabh Amin, Hasan Badami and Giriaj Gaglani, all winning their respective frames to overcome Islam Gymkhana ‘I.G. Alpha Cue’ (+230) by a 730-698 points margin in a last round of 16 match.
Meanwhile, Park Club’s Amit Sapru came up with the goods, constructing breaks of 60 and an unfinished 39 run, when it mattered most and clinched a decisive win against billiards pro Nalin Patel in the third frame. Sapru’s effort helped Park Club (+30) snatch a tense victory against Matunga Gymkhana ‘MG Spartans’ (-40) by a 495-451 scoreline.
Park Club started with a 70 points handicap and Vishal Gehani (-10) defeated Aryan Parulekar (+70) 200-135 in the first frame to gain a further 65 points and extended their lead to 135 points. However, Matunga Gymkhana’s billiards ace Arun Agrawal (-50) showed superb touch and was articulate with his shot making and outplayed Park Club’s Sanjiv Bijlani (+50) posting a 200-84 points win and cut the lead to just 19 points.
In the final frame, Sapru (-10) was left with the task of scoring 181 points while Patel (-50) had to make 200 points to seal a win for the team. Patel started in positive fashion and had established a 146-83 point lead before Sapru rolled in a timely break of 60 to close the gap. After a couple of safe visits Sapru closed out the match signing off with an unfinished 39 point break.
In other pre-quarter-final encounters, Garware Club House ‘Garware Wildcards’ (+200) defeated Khar Gymkhana ‘YMSA Squad’ (-60) – 540-425 and Shivaji Park Gymkhana ‘SPG Gentlemen’ (+120) got the better of Chembur Gymkhana ‘CG Giants’ (+80) 607-576.
Results (pre-quarter-finals): Park Club ‘PCL Beach Boys’ (+30) beat Matunga Gymkhana ‘MG Spartans’ (-40) – 495-451;
Garware Club House ‘Garware Wildcards’ (+200) beat Khar Gymkhana ‘YMCA Squad’ (-60) – 540-425;
Cricket Club of India ‘CCI Billiards Boys’ (+130) beat Islam Gymkhana ‘I.G. Alpha Cue’ (+230) – 730-698;
Shivaji Park Gymkhana ‘SPG Gentlemen’ (+120) beat Chembur Gymkhana ‘CG Giants’ (+80) 607-576.