The Catholic Gymkhana Open Handicap Snooker Tournament 2010

23 February 2010

Pune cueists impress

Pune cueists Yogesh Sharma and Vishal Malhotra registered hard-fought wins to advance to the third round in the Goldfilled Open Handicap Snooker Tournament at the Catholic Gymkhana on Tuesday.

Both lived dangerously as Sharma (+50) overcame Khazan Talib (+55) of CCI 93-102, 104-81, 101-77, while Malhotra (+55) rallied to beat Kunal Barve (+60) of Tata Sports Club 97-110, 100-95, 105-84 in exciting encounters.

Sharma surprisingly dropped the opening frame in a close finish, but made amends in the next two and heaved a sigh of relief.

Malhotra battled indifferent form as Barve snatched the opening frame for a surprise advantage. Malhotra continued to struggle in the second frame and had to wait for a black ball finish to stay in contention.

With Barve trailing 84-100, the decider could have gone either way. But Malhotra’s delightful blue pot off the cushion proved decisive and put Barve out of the fray.

(2nd Rd):

Bhushan Shahade (+45, Dadar Club) bt Amit Joshi (+60, MCF) 86-98, 115-84, 99-87

Nishad Chowgule (+50, Pune) bt Joseph Menezes (+55, Otters Club) 127-82, 108-75

Siddharth Shah (+50, North Indian Association) bt Juzer Master (+50, Islam Gym) 106-84, 76-118, 112-93

Yogesh Sharma (+50, Pune) bt Khazan Talib (+55, CCI) 93-102, 104-81, 101-77

Vishal Malhotra (+55, Pune) bt Kunal Barve (+60, Tata SC) 97-110, 100-95, 105-84.