Chembur Gymkhana teams enjoyed a successful week, with their ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams winning both the home and away fixtures during the fifth and final round of matches in the Billiards & Snooker Association of Maharashtra (BSAM) organized Greatwhite-CCI Kekoo Nicholson Mumbai Billiards League 2023.
Seasoned cueist Loukic Pathare inspired teammates Sagar Madan and Nikhil Lalwani to bring out their best. Their combined efforts ensured Chembur Gymkhana ‘A’ prevailed over P.J. Hindu Gymkhana ‘B’ 502-462 on the home tables after they had won the away match 595-464 to also pick up a bonus point in Section-B.
The Chembur Gymkhana ‘B’ team playing with a handicap of almost 200 points put it to their advantage and they managed to stave off the fight from defending champions Mandpeshwar Civic Federation (MCF) to win both ties in Section-A match. In the home match, Chembur Gymkhana won 615-591 and 574-464 in the away match to also claim a bonus point.
Chembur Gymkhana ‘A’ with 14 points finished in third position and along with the top-two placed teams Khar Gymkhana ‘B’ and NSCI ‘A’, both with 16 points progressed to the pre-quarter-finals. Khar Gymkhana defeated fancied Cricket Club of India 490-446 in the home match and then recorded a 515-446 victory in the away tie. NSCI and MIG Cricket Club shared honours in the third group match. However, Cricket Club of India who with 12 points managed to clinch the fourth place in this section and also qualified for the last 16 round.
Bombay Gymkhana who also enjoyed victories against Malabar Hill Club 612-588 in the home fixture and 575-426 in the away match and with a tally of 16 points finished in pole position in Section-A. Chembur Gymkhana ‘B’ 14 points, Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana 13 points and MCF 11 points followed behind leader Bombay Gymkhana and all four booked their place in the next phase of the competition.
Matunga Gymkhana ‘B’ (22 points), P.J. Hindu Gymkhana (16 points), Shivaji Park Gymkhana (11 points) and Park Club (8 points) qualified from Section-C. From Section-D, Garware Club House (17 points), Khar Gymkhana ‘A’ (16 points), Matoshree Club (14 points) and Radio Club (14 points) progressed to the last 16.
Results – final league round: Section-A: Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana Vs Elphinstone CC – 461-628, 593-571;
Chembur Gymkhana ‘B’ Vs Mandpeshwar Civic Federation – 615-591, 574-464;
Bombay Gymkhana Vs Malabar Hill Club – 612-588, 575-426.
Section-B: MIG Cricket Club Vs NSCI ‘A’ – 715-608, 591-674;
Khar Gymkhana ‘B’ Vs Cricket Club of India – 490-446, 515-446;
P.J. Hindu Gymkhana ‘B’ Vs Chembur Gymkhana ‘A’ – 464-595, 462-502.
Section-C: Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana Vs P.J. Hindu Gymkhana – 646-694, 450-578;
Shivaji Park Gymkhana Vs Park Club – 480-386, 545-638;
Dadar Club Vs Matunga Gymkhana ‘B’ – 516-641, 541-610.
Section-D: NSCI ‘B’ Vs Matunga Gymkhana ‘A’ – 591-703, 564-666;
Khar Gymkhana ‘A’ Vs Garware Club House – 543-481; 450-578;
Radio Club Vs Matoshree Club – 486-570, 483-551.