IBSF World Billiards 2010

26 AUGUST 2010

FINAL: Peter's first entry into IBSF World Billiards

On the opening day of the world billiards championship when Mike Russell beat Indian legend Geet Sethi, in the point format, he said �I don�t forget good victories and bad losses�. A year after losing the world pro title against Pankaj Advani at home, he completed a grand double of world titles, thrashing Peter Gilchrist in the final. It was a lop-sided 6 hours affair, in which Russell�s versatility was on full display as he smashed a break of 1137 in 67 minutes. With this 1137 he joined the elite 1000+ Group with Michael Ferreira (1149), Geet Sethi (1276) and Peter Gilchrist (1346). He was not satisfied with this and again after few visits, he smashed another 735 leaving his opponent Peter Gilchrist way behind.

Mike made his intentions very clear from the first session that he did not want to let it go at any cost and this was reflected in his three consecutive breaks of 281, 324 and 281 in 7th, 8th and 10th visits taking a lead of 634 points at the end of first session.

But, Pune was not satisfied with his 600+ breaks in almost every match of the time format and wanted something more and the best was yet to come and Mike, keeping the aspirations high of Puneites fulfilled the dream of every billiards lover by smashing a massive 1137 break in the second session. This 1137 put him way ahead of Peter and Peter was mere spectator. Once Russell crossed the 1000 mark, everyone was expecting him to surpass the 1346 Record break made by Peter two years back, but he missed out of position on 1137 and all three balls comes in a line on the top cushion. Mike tried a pull back white in-off and missed. Every one present in the hall gave a standing ovation to the emperor of English Billiards.

Mike�s hunger did not end here, as in next visit after this massive 1137 he settled again on table and crafted another 735 break followed by 439 in his last visit before sealing the match in his favour with a huge difference of 3336 points.

It was an ultimate day for me also as Billiards always fascinates me and the bucket of such huge breaks in the entire championship, whether it�s Mike, Peter or Geet will always remain in my memories...

With all this I sign-out now and will be back in next edition of IBSF World Snooker in Syria.