Maharashtra State Ranking Billiards & Snooker Tournament 2008

26 August - 17 September 2008

Hasan survives Manish's onslaught.
 

CCI’s Manish Adnani  had Islam Gymkhana’s Hasan Badami in all sorts of knots before going down fighting in the senior snooker quarterfinals of the of the Malabar Hill Club-Maharashtra State billiards/snooker selection tournament, hosted by Malabar Hill Club here on Thursday.

Manish took control from the word go and was 1-0 up before Hasan brought parity by narrowly winning the second frame. Thereafter it became a ding dong battle of wits as both exchanged frames alternatively to take the tie to the wire.  However, Hasan, who had finished second best in the junior snooker event earlier in the tournament, gave a superb display  to romp home with a 21-58, 49-46, 57-32, 25-52, 65-26, 7-59, 60-32 win.

Rishab Pandya, a 21-year-old youngster from Bombay Gymkhana showed in ample measures that he has nerves of steel while overcoming a 0-3 deficit against seasoned stalwart Arun Agarwal  to prevail at 38-63, 64-78, 38-66, 93-54, 57-26, 49-34, 75-40 to join Hasan in the semifinal league. ‘’ I was a bit nervous playing against someone of Arun’s calibre  initially, but after I was down 0-3, I took a break for 10 minutes to calm myself. This certainly helped me as  I went on to win the next three frames. But in the deciding frame, Arun was 40 points up before I could open my account. A break of 45 at this stage gave me immense confidence and won it with ease, ‘’ said elated Rishab after his thrilling victory.

Results
SENIOR SNOOKER (Quarters):

Amit Saboo bt Bhushan Shahade 40-67, 20-62,64-13, 61-32, 63-26, 48-18

Hasan Badami bt Manish Adnani 21-58, 49-46, 57-32, 25-52, 65-26, 7-59, 60-32

Nikhil Ootam bt Chandu Shah 63-10, 69-20, 71-9, 61-42

Rishab Pandya bt Arun Agarwal  38-63, 64-78, 38-66, 93-54, 57-26, 49-34, 75-40.
 

SENIOR BILLIARDS (1ST ROUND):

Nishad Chowgule bt Manjit Singh 150-57, 151-102

Chandu Kansodaria bt Kunal Gandhi 150-111, 69-150, 150-89.