17 November 2013: Akshay Wins Uttar Pradesh State Second Ranking Snooker Tournament

Last years' State No.2 snooker player Akshay Kumar won the UP State 2nd Ranking Snooker Tournament which concluded today at Oudh Gymkhana Club. Akshay, who had won the 1st ranking in Meerut last month, was pitted against the seasoned Allahabad cueist Vinayak Agarwal. The tournament, which was hosted by Lucknow Cue Sports Association (LCSA), would have had a proper ending but for the one sided match it saw as the finals.

Vinayak suffering from a stomach infection just could not manage to bring his concentration to par. Though he had ample opportunities to finish the frames but was just not able to capitalize. The turning point of the match was the end of first frame itself. It was anybody's game with just the black on the table. Vinayak, tried potting the black where he should have gone for a safety shot. The wrong decision clearly indicated that he really was not in the game. Having got over the jitters of the first frame, Akshay settled down into a nice rhythm hitting mini breaks of 42 in the second frame and 38 in the third, winning both with ease. In the do or die frame Vinayak did put up a fight but alas it so too little too late. With blue, pink and black on the table Akshay led by 15 points. After a few safety plays Akshay finally managed to pot the blue leaving Vinayak requiring 2 snookers, a task much too much for Vinayak. Akshay potted the pink to lift his second ranking title of the year.

Earlier in the day 2 semi finals were played. Vinyak ousted last year No. 1 Anuj Bhargava in a keenly fought battle with a score of 4-3. On the other table Akshay had it a little easy when he defeated veteran Lucknow cueist Kankan Shamsi 4-2.

Thank you note and the prizes were given away by Uttar Pradesh Billiard Snooker Association Secretary Tanuj Kohli.