The Catholic Gymkhana Open Handicap Snooker Tournament 2010

15 March 2010

Damania wins title

Surprise finalist Sharan Damania of Khar Gymkhana shocked favourite Farhad Tengra to clinch the title in the Goldfilled Open Handicap Snooker Tournament at the Catholic Gymkhana on Monday.

Enjoying a handicap of +50, Damania overcame stiff resistance before surging to an exciting 108-90, 90-59, 97-108, 98-67, 85-86, 101-78 win over his formidable opponent from Elphinstone Cricket Club, in a best-of-seven frames championship round.

Twenty-year-old Damania was rewarded for impressive potting right through the contest and picked up his first title in his maiden appearance in a major competition.

Damania got off to a dream start with a 2-0 lead that included a significant break of 24 in the opening frame in which Tengra was up by a good 21 points.

But, with a handicap of +35, Tengra overcame the early pressure and fought back gallantly to snatch the third frame. After trailing by 32 points at one stage, Tengra made the most of Damania’s blemishes as the young lad endured in-offs on the red and yellow and a foul-and-miss on two occasions.

Tengra’s potting and positioning in the fourth frame was a delight, as were his and Damania’s brilliant exhibition of snookers. But the steady Damania held on to a slender lead for a 3-1 advantage that put the pressure back on Tengra.

Damania was in control in the crucial fifth frame though he missed the red on four occasions, three of which rattled the jaw, and the pink in the centre pocket while leading by a slender eight points at 76-68. But, while trailing 73-85 Tengra potted the pink and black in brilliant fashion to snatch the frame by a solitary point.

Tengra came up with a small but significant break of 16 early in the sixth frame that raised hopes of him forcing the decider. But Damania, who missed easy blacks on two occasions early in the frame, made amends and remained ahead with brilliant potting from brown to pink that ended Tengra’s impressive challenge.

Damania received Rs. 40,000 for his effort, while Tengra received Rs. 25,000.

Results

(final)

Sharan Damania (+50, Khar Gymkhana) bt Farhad Tengra (+35, Elphinstone Cricket Club) 108-90, 90-59, 97-108, 98-67, 85-86, 101-78.