Showing great determination and playing with plenty of confidence CCI ‘Prezmen’ rose to the challenge and in quite an authoritative manner defeated MCF ‘Tough Men’ to emerge champions in the CCI Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League 2018.
The Champions, CCI ‘Prezmen’ players (left to right) Sparsh Pherwani, captain Nishant Dossa, Dr. Phiroze Patel and Hasan Badami, proudly pose with their trophies along with Mrs Meher Nicholson (3rd from right), wife of Late Kekoo Nicholson
The Cricket Club of India team with a combined team handicap of 55 points, plus the minus five handicap of the MCF (Mandpeshwar Civic Federation) team, enjoyed a head start of a 60 points advantage and they did not let the advantage slip as they cantered to a 600-332 victory in the race to 600 points, final played over three frames at the CCI Wilson Jones Billiards Room late on Sunday evening.
This was CCI’s first win in 51 years, while MCF, undoubtedly the most consistent team, who were contesting their third final in the four years, failed to break their losing jinx. They had previously lost in the 2015 and 2016 finals and had reached the semi-finals last year.
CCI team’s winning captain, Nishant Dossa was quite emotional after their triumph and dedicated the win to the Club’s former president, Late Kekoo Nicholson, who was a huge cue sports enthusiast and a sport lover. “It’s a very proud moment for our team and the whole of CCI. We dedicate this win to Kekoo Nicholson. This is the best way for us to show our respect, honour him and keep his memory alive,” said Dossa.
Dr. Phiroze Patel a playing member of the Prezmen team was ecstatic on their success and kept mentioning that Kekoo Nicholson would have been very proud. “Kekoo was passionate about playing in the BSAM Billiards League and he would regularly ask me what has to be done for CCI to win the league. I believe that it was his blessing from above which guided our team to come out trumps. If he (Kekoo) had been present here today, he would have been over the moon,” Patel mentioned.
Mr. Dependable, Hasan Badami yet again played the lead role for CCI Prezmen by winning the opening frame. Badami (scratch handicap) tamed an off-colour Chandu Kansodaria (+10) 200-114 in the first frame. The lean cueist Badami, who is basically a snooker player, scored most of points by potting the red and went on to win by an 86-point margin, which swelled CCI’s advantage to 146 points.
MCF managed to cut the deficit when Rohan Jambusaria (-60) scored over young Sparsh Pherwani (+20) 200-145. The 55 points difference helped MCF reduce CCI’s lead to 91 points going into the third frame.
CCI skipper Dossa (+35), cool as ever played steadily and confidently to steer the team to another success by scoring the 109 points to clinch the win against Mehul Sutaria (+45) and complete the triumph.
The CCI Prezmen players received the CCI Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League Trophy and a cash award of Rs 60,000 from Mrs Meher Nicholson, wife of Late Kekoo Nicholson and Premal Udani, President, CCI. The unlucky MCF outfit were presented with the Runners-up trophy and a cash prize of Rs 30,000.
Both the losing semi-finalist, ECC ‘Elfies Thunderbolts’ and PCL ‘Beach Boys’ received a cash prize of Rs 15,000 each. Catholic ‘Decapitare’, CCI ‘Nicholson’s Boys, JVPG ‘Jugglers’ and PG ‘Centrics’, the four teams which lost in the quarter-final round were presented with a cash award of 7,500 each.
Results – finals: CCI ‘Prezmen’ (handicap 55) beat MCF ‘Tough Men’ (handicap -5) 600-332 (Hasan Badami (scratch) bt Chandu Kansodaria (+10) 200-114, Sparsh Pherwani (+20) lost Rohan Jambusaria (-60) 145-200, Nishant Dossa (+35) bt Mehul Sutaria (+45) 109-18).