IBSF World Billiards 2010

24 AUGUST 2010

India vs. Rest of World Test Match

Team India defeats Rest of World in style!

When in sports if someone speaks about silence, dark rooms, no movement, switch off mobiles, no flash one can easily associate these with the royal game of Billiards. And loud music, hooting, whistling and wild cheers in the World Championship of Billiards…! Are you crazy ?

Yes, and audience of hundreds witnessed this on Tuesday evening when PYC Gymkhana conducted the Manisha Cup India vs. Rest of World (ROW) match in which Billiards maestro Geet Sethi, Pankaj Advani, Devendra Joshi, Ashok Shandilya and from the Rest of World Mike Russell (England), Peter Gilchrist (Singapore), Praput Chaithanasakun (Thailand) and Kyaw Oo (Myanmar) played a match in the 100up format, best of 5 games.

The first game went blank to India as Mike Russell defeated Pankaj Advani with a clearance 101-02. In the second game Geet made Peter Gilchrist a mere spectator as on his very first shot, Geet smashed a break of 101 to level the series. The third game was doubles, which was played between Devendra Joshi / Ashok Shandilya from India and Praput Chaithanasakun / Kyaw Oo from ROW. This was played on an alternate shot basis between team mates. Missing a run-through in-off by Joshi allowed team ROW to score and win that game leading 2-1.

The fourth game was between arch rivals Geet Sethi and Mike Russell. Geet played fantastic in the entertaining atmosphere but fumbled at a score of 71. Russell without wasting the chance started scoring and was looking a sure defeat in the Indian camp, but on a score of 64 he tried to hit a thick red pot to get on perfect position but stuck on the jaw and Geet cleared the game by scoring the remaining 29 points.

With the match poised in the balance, Pankaj Advani from the Indian camp took on Peter Gilchrist of ROW. This time again Peter had to sit as a spectator only as Pankaj smashed a 100 break and India lifted a most deserving 'Manisha Cup'.

Results:

Game 1: Mike Russell (ROW) defeated Pankaj Advani (India) :: 101-02

Game 2: Geet Sethi (India) defeated Peter Gilchrist (ROW) :: 101-00

Game 3: Praput C. / Kyaw Oo (ROW) defeated D. Joshi / A. Shandilya (India) :: 101-48

Game 4: Geet Sethi (India) defeated Mike Russell (ROW) :: 101-64

Game 5: Pankaj Advani (India) defeated Peter Gilchrist (ROW) :: 100-02