Yasin Merchant Doubles Classic Snooker Tournament

Islam Gymkhana - Mumbai

14-21 February 2008

Young Turks emerge Champs

Pankaj and Manan with Winners trophy at Yasin Merchant Classic Invitation Snooker Doubles Tournament

Young Turks Pankaj Advani and Manan Chandra survived an early scare to rally to a thrilling win over Dynamic Duo to emerge champions in the inaugural Yasin Merchant Classic Invitation Snooker Doubles Tournament, organized by the Yasin Merchant Fan Club, at the Islam Gymkhana on Thursday. Turks rallied from a 2-3 deficit in the marathon nine-frame final and made a late charge for a pulsating 5-4 victory, that saw the victors earn 12 points against Duo's 6. The win earned Turks Rs.1 Lakh, while Dynamic Duo Devendra Joshi and Ashok Shandilya received Rs.50,000.

Dynamic Duo got off to a dream start with a 2-0 advantage and sounded an early warning as they put their formidable rivals under immense pressure with consistent play. Joshi was in devastating form, while Shandilya steadied the ship with brilliant safety play. Duo's form left Turks, who pulled back to make it 2-2, groping until the sixth frame heralded the latter's comeback when Chandra, who was on course for a crucial big break, fired a 46 that ended prematurely when he missed the yellow while using the rest.

Had Chandra constructed a break of 50+, it would have allowed Turks to surge to a 5-3 lead with two points for the break and a point for the frame. Duo capitalized on the blunder and Joshi returned to rifle in an unfinished break of 52, that included three foul and misses, to ensure a 6-2 points' cushion. But Turks, led by Pankaj Advani's timely breaks, came back to draw level at 4 frames all with Advani constructing a break of 82 in the eighth frame that earned them five vital points and helped them surge to a 9-6 advantage on points.

It marked the return to form of Advani, who was a serene figure until then, in the nick of time. The national champion entered the ninth and deciding frame to take charge while rifling in a 72 break that ended the aspirations of Dynamic Duo.

"For us, the last two frames were crucial," said a relieved Advani. "We started badly. We got our chances but didn't capitalize on them. Ashok's safety play was brilliant, while Joshi's potting was equally excellent. But the last two breaks were a reflection of one of my best performances since they were mandatory under pressure. The table too was good especially during the league. The conditions were good though it took some time for me to adjust to them today."

On the occasion, the Yasin Merchant Fan Club honoured Administrative Secretary of The Billiards & Snooker Association Malcolm Andrade for his commitment and yeoman's service to the sport.

A special award also was presented to The Free Press Journal Sports Editor Don Monteiro for his remarkable commitment and indefatigable support to the promotion of billiards and snooker.

Results:

Final: Young Turks bt Dynamic Duo 7-67, 33-83, 61-10, 88-1, 48-55, 52-78, 68-56, 104-26, 87-0.

Report :: Don Monterio