All the three Cricket Club of India (CCI) teams, have qualified for the second phase, pre-quarter-final round, of the ‘CCI Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League 2018. CCI ‘Nicholson Boys’ with 7 points from 3 wins and as many losses qualified from Section-C, while CCI ‘Billiards Boys’ and CCI ‘Prezmen’, both with the same number of 9 points each, from 4 wins and 2 losses, made the knockout round from Section-E and Section-F respectively.
Ashok Shandilaya
Defending champions Catholic ‘Decapitare’ (Section-A), MHC ‘Avengers’ (Section-B), MCF ‘Dark Knights’ (Section-D) and ECC ‘Elfies Thunderbolts’ (Section-G) all completed their league matches with a convincing 5-1 win-loss record and with a tally of 12 points, including 2 bonus points, each topped their respective sections to secure their berths in the next round, which is scheduled to commence from Wednesday, May 2.
Both the JVPG (Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana) teams, JVPG ‘Jugglers’ 12 points from 5 wins and 1 loss and JVPG ‘Juhu Tigers’ 9 points from 4 wins and 2 defeats, also progressed to the pre-quarters from Section-F and Section-G respectively.
PG ‘Centrics’ from Section-C and PCL ‘Beach Boys’ from Section-E, both with 9 points each and along with NIA ‘Quaterpillars’ (Section-A) and CRMI ‘Star Blue’ (Section-B) also earned qualification having finished second in their groups.
With 14 teams having confirmed their places in the knockout stage the tournament committee will be meeting on Wednesday to select two of the best third placed teams from group stage. The committee would also make the draw for the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, the notable performer during the third week was former World Billiards champion Ashok Shandilya of CG ‘Dream Team, who compiled two century efforts, an unfinished 167 break, which currently is the highest in the tournament, during their home fixture against ECC ‘Elfies Thunderbolts’ and a run of 107 in the away match. However, his impressive showing failed to inspire CG ‘Dream Team’ to victory.
Chandresh Shah (JVPG Tigers) had substantial breaks of 110, 63; Rohan Jambusaria (MCF Tough Men) constructed a run of 97, Rishabh Kumar (BG Phantoms) made a break of 96 and two-time Asian Billiards champions Dhruv Sitwala (PJHG Hazards) rolled in a break of 90.
Results (3rd week ending April 22) – Section-A: Catholic ‘Decapitare’ Vs Dadar Club – (home 521-251, away 487-394); PJHG ‘Hazardous’ Vs NIA ‘Quarterpillars’ (491-235, 520-437).
Section-B: MG ‘Devils Delite’ Vs MHC ‘Avengers’ – (509-278, 421-498); CRMI ‘Star Blue’ Vs Catholic ‘Rebels’ (565-324, 570-271).
Section-C: PJHG ‘Hazards’ Vs CCI ‘Nicholson Boys’ (384-201, 553-285); PG ‘Centrics’ Vs SPG ‘Gentlemen’ (550-428, 337-494).
Section-D: KG ‘Wizards of Hazards’ Vs MCF ‘Dark Knights’ (452-330, 592-479); BG ‘Phantoms’ Vs MBPT Sports ‘Kings’ (534-174, 535-315).
Section-E: PCL ‘Beach Boys’ Vs Garware ‘Spinners’ (500-303, 584-386); CCI ‘Billiards Boys’ Vs CG ‘Titans’ (488-232, 497-509).
Section-F: MCF ‘Tough Men’ Vs CCI ‘Prezmen’ (494-282, 275-402); JVPG ‘Jugglers’ Vs PCL ‘Beach Boys Also’ (531-280, 574-404).
Section-G: CG ‘Dream Team’ Vs ECC ‘Elfies Thunderbolts’ (475-415, 468-435); JVPG ‘Juhu Tigers’ Vs KB ‘B’ (373-325, 400-109).
The top-2 qualifiers from each group – Section-A: 1. Catholic ‘Decapitare’ (5 wins-1 loss) 12 points (10+2 bonus), 2. NIA ‘Quaterpillars’ (3-3) 7 points (6+1).
Section-B: 1. MHC ‘Avengers’ (5-1) 12 points (10+2), 2. CRMI ‘Star Blue’ (4-2) 10 points (8+2).
Section-C: 1. PG ‘Centrics’ (4-2) 9 points (8+1), 2. CCI ‘Nicholson Boys’ (3-3) 7 points (6+1).
Section-D: 1. MCF ‘Dark Knights’ (5-1) 12 points (10+2), 2. BG ‘Phantoms’ (3-3) 7 points (6+1).
Section-E: PCL ‘Beach Boys (4-2) 9 points (8+1), CCI ‘Billiards Boys’ (4-2) 9 points (8+1).
Section-F: 1. JVPG ‘Jugglers’ (5-1) 12 points (10+2), 2. CCI ‘Prezmen’ (4-2) 9 points (8+1).
Section-G: 1. ECC ‘Elfies Thunderbolts’ (5-1) 12 points (10+2), 2. JVPG ‘Juhu Tigers’ (4-2) 9 points (8+1).