Railway cueists Hemant Kumar and Govinbdharaj Reddy encountered mixed fortunes in their race-to-200 points first round matches of the Bombay Gymkhana Handicap Billiards Tournament, and played at the Bombay Gymkhana billiards hall.
Hemant Kumar (-200 handicap) produced a half century 50 break and went on to put it across Mumbai’s seasoned player Chandresh Shah (-150) of Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana winning by a 200-104
In contrast, the other railwayman Reddy (-150) struggled and was unable to find his touch and suffered a 148-200 points defeat against Mahadev Bhogle (-100) also from JVPG.
Meanwhile, Bombay Gymkhana’s Ghulam Vahanvati (+15) enjoyed a comfortable passage to the second round after defeating Sagar Madan (-60) of Chembur Gym, by a convincing 200-114 margin.
In another first round match, Sanjay Gamre (-100) also of Bombay Gymkhana proved too good as he tame Thane’s Jai Dullani (-25) romping to an easy 200-100 victory.
Results – (round-1): Hemant Kumar (Railway, -200) beat Chandresh Shah (JVPG, -160) 200(50)-104; Ghulam Vahanvati (Bombay Gym, +15) beat Sagar Madan (Chembur Gym, -60) 200-114; Mahadev Bhogle (JVPG, -100) beat Govinbdharaj Reddy (Railway, -150) 200-148; Manvir Sohal (JVPG, -70) beat Karan Gandhi (Garware, -40) 200-104; Sagar Desai (NSCI, -50) beat Rishi S. (-10) 200-120; Akshay Gogri (MCF, -60) beat Manoj Kasare (Khar Gym, -90) 200(42)-135; Sanjay Gamre (Bombay Gym, -100) beat Jai Dullani (Thane, -25) 200-100; Sanket Bapat (SPG, -70) beat Shubojit Roy (NSCI, -50) 200-166.