Uttar Pradesh State Ranking Billiards & Snooker Tournament 2008

25 September 2008 - Allahabad

I.S. Malik - CSI Correspondent

Top ranked snooker player of the state, the mercurial cueist from Meerut, Nishit Prakash was in fine form even as he won two of his three league matches to make the last eight grade in the snooker event of the 39th Uttar Pradesh State billiards & snooker championship on the fourth day of the KIrti Trust & Bishop George School and college, Allahabad here on Thursday at the "SARAS" where the 7 day competition is being played under the auspices of the UP Billiards & Snooker Association.

Nishit first outplayed Aligarh's Abdul in straight frames by 80-12 and 86-22 points and then handed out a similar straight frames drubbing to the young State Sub- Junior state snooker champion, Malkeet Singh of Lucknow by 63-16 and 53-45 points in a match where Malkeet had his chances, specially in the second frame but his nerves failed him as he could not drive home the advantage whenever he got the chance and NIshit potted the crucial pink ball to romp home a clear winner.

In fact, Malkeet was at the receiving end on this day as he lost another match, this time to Vinayak Agarwal in straight frames. Vinayak who was also under par in his game however managed to put across his youthful adversary by 68-54 and 48-32 points. The other Lucknow cueist, Vinish Roberts even though he put up a good fight could not stop the Veteran, Raghoo Sinha of Allahabad from winning in three frames by 34-48, 62-20 and 62-20 points.

In a tense three frame tie between two top players of the state, Abhishek Raj of Moradabad prevailed over the state snooker champion, Anuj Bhargava of Lucknow by 60-56, 47-56 and 54-39 points which could have produced another result had not Anuj failed to capitalize on the chances that came his way. Young dynamo cueist from Agra, Vivek Nichwani sighting the balls to a nicety,  produced som explosive potting on way to his straight frames victory over the Aligarh champion, Imran Khan by 52-26 and 57-34 points while the suave and burly cueist from Meerut, Saurabh Chaudhary foiled the challenge of wild card entrant, Udit Sharma of Allahabad potting with a ferocity and aplomb which he is famous for. Saurabh although was given a torrid time by the talented youngster, Udit in the second frame. Even so Saurabh won the second frame when Udit missed a sitter black on the mouth of the centre pocket and Saurabh completed the formality gratefully.

Rahul Arora of Moradabad began his campaign well enough when he spoiled the party of young Vivek Nichwani in straight frames by 57-32 and 60-31 points, while Shaizad Nambardar of Meerut had to struggle hard to override Manish Behl of Aligarh in three frames by 30-58, 50-44 and 76-42 points. Actually having taken the first frame,  Manish should have called the shots but his lapse on the concluding stage of the second frame allowed Shaizad to come back and eventually turn the tables on Manish. Anuj Bhargava making amends after his first match loss put it across Saurabh Chaudfary of Meerut in straight frames by 70-61 and 50-35 points in a closely contested match which witnessed some solid potting from Saurabh. Yet it was the vital shots which Anuj got which helped the defending state snooker champion, Anuj to win the match.