The Catholic Gymkhana Open Handicap Snooker Tournament 2010

20 February 2010

Arun Agarwal stretched

Formidable Arun Agrawal survived an early scare in the first round of the Goldfilled Open Handicap Snooker Tournament at the Catholic Gymkhana on Saturday.

Agrawal (+40) of Elphinstone Cricket Club overcame Prabdeep Singh (+60) of MIG, Bandra 108-102, 105-86 in a surprisingly close contest that included a black ball finish in the opening frame after brilliantly potting the pink.

Singh ran his more accomplished opponent close in the second frame as well but Agrawal held on dearly to a slender lead after rifling a break of 25 to take the match away.

It was all in the family and a rewarding day for the Agrawals when Arun’s son Aditya fired breaks of 25 and 24 in the first and third frames, respectively, to romp to a 107-99, 78-92, 102-74 win over S. Saichand of Hyderabad in another first round tie.

In other significant first round encounters, Anuj Mahajan (+55) of Radio Club beat former great Tony Monteiro 2-1, while Sushant Khade (+60) of Vashi rallied to overcome Chetan Dalal (+55) of PJ Hindu Gymkhana 82-110, 112-80, 117-113 in a thriller that included a black ball finish in the decider.

Results (1st Rd)

Anuj Mahajan (+55, Radio Club) bt Tony Monteiro (+50, Catholic Gym) 107-114, 108-60, 115-81

Aditya Agrawal (+35, Bombay Gym) bt S. Saichand (+50, Hyd) 107-99, 78-92, 102-74

Arun Agrawal (+40, Elphinstone CC) bt Prabdeep Siingh (+50, MIG) 108-102, 105-86

M. Shah (+55, North Indian Assn) bt Sagar Nebande (+60) 116-79, 100-79

Sushant Khade (+60, Vashi) bt Chetan Dalal (+55, PJ Hindu Gym) 82-110, 112-80, 117-113

Umesh Dodia (+55) bt Digant Joshi (+60, JVPG) 114-77, 114-73

Avdoot Pachpute (+55, MbPT) bt Shyam Merchant (+60, CCI) 113-81, 101-109, 130-98