Fourth time, proved auspicious for Mandpeshwar Civic Federation ‘MCF Tough Men’ as they in grand fashion finally won their maiden crown. The billiards team from Borivali, having finished second best on three previous occasions were a determined lot and made it count by brushing aside the challenge from hosts Cricket Club of India ‘CCI Billiards Boys’ by romping to a 431-270 point victory in the final of the CCI-Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League 2022 at the Wilson Jones billiards hall, late Saturday evening. The league is being held in memory of Late Kekoo Nicholson, an ardent billiards enthusiast who promoted and encouraged cue sports.
The victorious MCF Tough Men team members receive the CCI-Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League winners’ trophy from BSFI & BSAM President Rajan Khinvasara and CCI Hon. Treasurer Rajan Hiranandani
MCF Tough Men had earlier contested the finals in 2015 (lost to PJ Probables), 2016 (KG Wizards of Hazards) and 2018 (lost to CCI Prez Men).
Seasoned cueists Chandu Kansodaria and Rohan Jambasuria rose to the occasion and were the chief architects to lay the foundation and propel MCF Tough Men to a deserving victory. Akshay Gogri applied the finishing touches to their triumph.
CCI Billiards Boys playing with a plus 110 point handicap as against MCF Tough Men handicap of minus 35 point, started with a combined handicap of 145 point handicap. But, unlike in the earlier rounds, they looked out of form and could not offer much resistance and build on that advantage.
MCF’s Kansodaria (scratch handicap) showed good touch and constructed a mammoth break of 84 points and went on to tame Satbir Narula (+50) by a massive 200-48 point difference in the first frame. Later, Jambasuri (-60) was in complete control against Hasan Badami (-20) in the second frame. He gave a good exhibition of break building as he neatly gathered the balls at the top of the table to score most of his points. He deftly compiled breaks of 57, 73 and 41 and charged to a 200-73 point victory, which heavily turned the advantage in favour of the Borivali team.
Having gained a 134-point advantage MCF’s third player Gogri (+25) was left with a simple task of scoring 66 points as compared to Ganglani (+80) who required 200 points to ensure CCI’s win. Gogri comfortably finished things off scoring the required points while Ganglani managed only 39 points.
MCF Tough Men went home richer by Rs 60,000 while CCI Billiards Boys had to rest content with the runners-up prize of Rs 30,000. The losing semi-finalist received Rs 15,000 each and the four losing quarter-finalists were presented with a purse of Rs 7,500 each.
Results – Final: Mandpeshwar Civic Federation ‘MCF Tough Men’ (-35) beat Cricket Club of India ‘CCI Billiards Boys’ (+110) — 431-270 (Chandu Kansodaria (SCR) bt Satbir Narula (+50) 200-48, Rohan Jambasuria (-60) bt Hasan Badami (-20) 200-73, Akshay Gogri (+25) bt Giriraj Ganglani (+80) 66-39).