Someshwar needing more than two snookers on the colours stage of the deciding fifth frame outwitted Veteran Shyam Jagtiani of the Railways in five frames by 55-45, 23-68, 44-66, 67-24 and 65-60 points. Jagtiani led by 2-1 frames but a good roll of the balls in the fourth helped Someshwara to pocket the frame and level scores at 2-2. However, nobody could have visualized that the crafty Jagtiani, a battle hard player would lose. Nevertheless, planting some fine snookers and then wresting the frame, Someshwar clinched the tie, a deserving winner indeed.

Manav Panchal of Maharashtra had to fight tooth and nail before getting past Delhi’s Puneet Kaushik in five frames to also make the main draw of the seniors snooker event.  Puneet leading by 2-0 was expected to win but showing grit and determination, Manav rallied strongly with some neat potting to outplay Puneet in the third and fourth frames to restore parity at 2-2. All the same it was the brilliant display in the decider which fetched Manav the frame and match to qualify.

In another pulsating five frame match  which excited the select gathering Deepak. A. of Karnataka edged out Praveen Kumar of Tamil Nadu by 50-40, 56-04, 02-52, 35-68 and 81-56 points to also make the main draw of the Seniors snooker. Trailing by 0-2 frames when Praveen came back strongly to take the third and fourth frames to make the frame scores tied at 2-2 it looked it would be a very close affair but Deepak was at his best in the decider to pot with élan and confidence to put the issue beyond doubt.

Deepak’s mate, Balaji Reddy recorded an easy straight frames victory over D.. Khizir Raoof of Andhra Pradesh by 65-15, 65-48 and 49-39 points, the last frame a close decider on the black. Ajay Bhushan of the same state also had bno problem in disposing off Railway’s K. Venkatesham in straight frames by 57-13, 78-13 and 56-15 points to make the main snooker event.  M S Arun of Karnataka also was hardly in trouble in downing Tamil Nadu’s Nagesh in a much awaited tie but Nagesh disappointed on this day. Arun won in four frames by 68-04, 71-30, 34-60 and 62-52 points to make the main snooker draw. He was joined by the Veteran champion of yesteryears, Arvind Savur who gave a lesson or two about the art and grace of snooker while drubbing Subrat Das of Orissa in straight frames by 58-14, 57-33 and 53-31 points to join his teammates in the main draw of the snookewr event.

Uttar Pradesh’s fine prospect exhibited the correct approach and attitude playing in consistent form  defeating Ankit Kariwal of West Bengal in straight frames by 65-18, 66-06 and 70-58 points to qualify for the main snooker event. In other matches, Railways player, Faisal Khan proved too hot for J R Pranit handing him out a straight three frames victory by 107- 17, 59-47 and 68-59 points.

Other winners who impressed were Delhi’s Sandeep Gulati scoring a three frames to one victory over his state mate, Varun Madan by 65-40, 34-72, 54-02 and 63-06 points whereas Arjun got past Nishad in four frames by 62-54, 42-30, 51-64, 23-53 and 64-28 points to make the main rounds of the seniors snooker event.