The Zarine & Yazdi Daruvala Charitable Trust Mumbai Billiards League 2016
Rockets, Bawajis, Gentlemen win thrillers
Derek Sippy
Rockets, Bawajis, Gentlemen win thrillers
Khar Gymkhana ‘Pocket Rockets’, DPCG ‘Bawajis’ and Shivaji Park Gymkhana ‘Gentlemen’ fashioned thrilling wins to storm into the quarter-finals of the BSAM-organised Zarine & Yazdi Daruvala Charitable Trust Mumbai Billiards League, at the Dadar Parsee Colony Gymkhana.
Rockets kicked off an exciting day when they pipped Catholic Gymkhana ‘The Challengers’ 716-708 in the closest contest of the day, followed by hosts Bawajis’ 665-625 win over Chembur Gymkhana ‘Gladiators’ and SPG Gentlemen’s stunning 575-531 win over favourites Bombay Gymkhana ‘Phantoms’.
After Carl Serrao gave Catholic Gymkhana a dream start, 2014 state sub junior champion Kreishh Gurbaxani of Jasudben ML school and compatriot Akash Asrani did the turnaround for Rockets. Gurbaxani beat Clyde Aphonso 200-161 in the second tie and compatriot Akash Asrani reached his target of 167 against veteran Melwyn Mascarenhas in a tight concluding tie.
Khushroo Daboo played the captain’s role for Bawajis when he edged the experienced Tushar Dighe 162-160 in the concluding tie for a dramatic win over Chembur Gymkhana ‘Gladiators’ who were on course following impressive wins by Loukic Pathare and Vishal Madan.
Veteran Derek Sippy also made the most of SPG Gentlemen’s +180 combined handicap when he reached his target of 127 to beat Phantoms’ Chintan Jhaveri in the concluding tie, after world professional No. 6 Nalin Patel and Nitesh Madan put Bombay Gymkhana on course.
Results: Pre-quarter-finals: CCI ‘Billiards Boys’ bt Matunga Gym ‘Spartans’ 515-462; DPCG ‘Bawajis’ bt Chembur Gym ‘Gladiators’ 665-625; 575-531; Khar Gym ‘Pocket Rockets’ bt Catholic Gym ‘The Challengers’ 716-708; SPG ‘Gentlemen’ bt Bombay Gym ‘Phantoms’ 575-531.