by Suman Gupta
Mumbai, May: Heavyweights Dhruv Sitwala and Siddharth Parikh played significant roles in leading P.J. Hindu Gymkhana team, PJHG ‘Probables’, into the quarter-final round of the CCI Kekoo Nicholson BSAM Billiards League 2019, organized by the Billiards & Snooker Association of Maharashtra and played at the CCI’s Sir Wilson Jones billiards room.
In a last 16 round match, former two-time Asian champion Sitwala (-70 handicap) compiled two half century runs of 64 and 51 while Parikh (-70) a former World Championship bronze medalists, constructed a break of 63 in the third frame to steer PJHG Probables (-125 handicap) past Khar Gymkhana’s KG ‘A’ (+20) by a 442-356 points margin.
Sitwala’s efforts came in winning the second frame against Sparsh Pherwani (scratch) who made a break of 67, which went in vain as the former won comfortably at 200-100. Earlier, Rovin D’Souza (+25) provided Probables an ideal start as he defeated Sahil Kakad (+70) 200- 122 in the first frame.
Those two wins by quite big margins helped Probales wipe out Khar Gymkhana’s 145 points handicap and earned a 33 points advantage. That left skipper Parikh to score 167 points against the 200 required by Khar Gymkhana’s captain Rishabh Thakkar in the third frame. Parikh was in complete control and with the 63 run and a couple of small breaks reached his target to secure the team’s win.
Meanwhile, Shivaji Park Gymkhana’s SPG ‘Gentlemen’ and Chembur Gymkhana’s CG ‘Gladiators’ continued to stay on the winning track. SPG Gentlemen defeated Bombay Gymkhana outfit BG ‘Phantoms’ 707-654 and Gladiators tamed Matunga Gymkhana team MG ‘Night Kings’ 380-102.
In the fourth match of the day, Mandpeshwar Civic Foundation side MCF ‘Tough Men’ defeated Cricket Club of India’s CCI ‘Minions’ 640-617.
Results – Pre-quarter-finals: SPG ‘Gentleman’ beat BG ‘Phantoms’ 707-654.
PJHG ‘Probables’ beat KG ‘A’ 442-356.
CG ‘Gladiators beat MG ‘Night Kings’ 380-102.
MCF ‘Tough Men’ beat CCI ‘Minions’ 640-617.
