CHANDIGARH, June 18: Defending champion Deepak Goel and Sameer Bhallla moved into the last four stage of the open billiards event in the ongoing YMCA Billiards and Snooker tournament at YMCA premises in Sector 11. Deepak Goel got the better of Amit Swamy 666-446 while Sameer Bhalla outplayed Rakesh Gupta 437-310. Anil Sharma and B Khurana have also entered the semifinal stage.In a well contested open snooker semifinal league match Sandeep Duggal beat Deepak Goel 62-31, 44-54, 37-49, 69-56, 59-26. It was a seesaw battle all through the five frames. Sandeep pocketed the first frame with ease (62-31), but lost his concentration in the next two frames. He faltered at crucial junctures to lose second frame by 10 points (44-54) and the third by 12 points (37-49).
Down by 1-2, Sandeep fought bravely in the fourth frame and matched his more experienced opponent stroke by stroke. However, a lapse on the part of Deepak gave Sandeep chance to pot the last black ball to win the frame 69-56.
After 2-2 each, in the decider Sandeep took the initial lead which enabled him to win the frame (59-26) and wrap up the contest.
Rajiv Bhardwaj outclassed Manav Dhawan in straight two frames 61-14, 49-38, to sail into the finals of handicap snooker event. Rajiv's fine potting and defensive play did not allow Manav to settle down, who was unable to catch his in-form opponent.
In another match in the same event, Deepak Goel defeated Ashish Tuli 63-29, 47-54, 73-28.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
