Shyam Shroff Memorial - Khar Gymkhana Snooker Tournament

Khar Gymkhana - 15 Linking Road

Khar - Mumbai

Qualifying :: 26 February - 02 March 2008

Main Round :: 04 - 09 March 2008

Chandresh Shah escapes to victory

Report by :: Don Monteiro

Twice in arrears, PJ Hindu Gymkhana's Chandresh Shah snatched a thrilling decider to advance to the third round of the qualifiers, in the Khar Gymkhana-Shyam Shroff Memorial Open Invitation Snooker Tournament 2008 at the Khar Gymkhana on Saturday.

On an exciting day of close encounters, Shah surprisingly dropped the first and third frames before forcing the decider against the dangerous Samuel Selven. His false start reflected the poor form he endured.

Shah's indifferent form stretched into the fifth and final frame of the best-of-five frames tie and only his vast experience and a little bit of luck helped him seal an exciting 29-51, 61-28, 37-62, 60-22, 49-46 win.

Bombay Gymkhana's Marzdi Kalyaniwala also endured an early challenge before ending Rahul Beeralia's campaign with a 66-59, 36-46, 76-2, 70-3 third round win.

Formidable Lucky Vatnani of Hyderabad, winner of the Wilson Jones-PJ Hindu Gymkhana crown, also rallied to a 32-64, 75-9, 63-20, 68-44 win over Gaurav Prabhu.

In contrast, Arun Agrawal raced to a comfortable 61-34, 44-8, 56-12 win over Sandeep Jadhwani.

Results (Qualifiers):

Third Round:

Marzdi Kalyaniwala bt Rahul Beeralia 66-59, 36-46, 76-2, 70-3

Arun Agrawal bt Sandeep Jadhwani 61-34, 44-8, 56-12

Lucky Vatnani bt Gaurav Prabhu 32-64, 75-9, 63-20, 68-44.

Second Round:

Vipul Shah bt Tanmay Thakur 67-13, 58-27, 64-30

Chandresh Shah bt Samuel Selven 29-51, 61-28, 37-62, 60-22, 49-46

Anand Yelve bt Pradeep Singh 86-4, 50-29, 56-63, 63-41

Sandeep Gulati bt Jiten Motrani 58-44, 56-52, 78-27.