The Hindu : Sport / Billiards & Snooker : Russel enters semifinals; Gilchrist stops Sethi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 11, 2005

Sport

Sport - Billiards & Snooker

Russel enters semifinals; Gilchrist stops Sethi

By Geet Sethi

PRESTATYN (NORTH WALES), MARCH 10. Mike Russell, the defending champion, reached the semifinals of the 2005 World Professional Billiards Championship, being staged at the Pontins Holiday Resort here, defeating India's Dhruv Sitwala 789-502 and will meet Peter Gilchrist who outclassed this writer 889-552 in the quarterfinals. The other semifinal will feature Chris Shutt and David Causier.

While Sitwala qualified for the last eight stage with only one loss against Peter Gilchrist in group B, my berth was earned thanks to a better point differential after I tied with Ashok Shandilya and Paul Bennett with two wins and two losses in group A.

I actually led Gilchrist 388-372 after the first one hour with an effort of 101 on the fourth visit and a 217 in the 11th. However, like the fluctuating weather in this part of the world, my form was disconcertingly erratic and Gilchrist capitalised with runs of 206, 119 and 195 to cruise to a comfortable victory.

The imperious Russell, who remained unbeaten in group A, improved with every match after spending the last eleven months without any competitive play. But the lack of tournament exposure seemed to have affected his concentration. In his last league match against me, he had an impressive, carefully compiled 319 but against Sitwala, he was clearly tired and out of sorts.

Surprisingly, Sitwala, an ONGC employee, led 354-331 after 90 minutes of rather uninspiring play. A 121 by the Indian and breaks of 70 & 97 by the world No.1 were the only highlights from that part of the match. Russell had only one century break — of 130 — in the last hour but that was good enough for him to edge ahead as his opponent's form dropped dramatically. Russel's patchy and erratic form will be a cause for serious concern for the Englishman and at the same time a source of immense joy for his opponents. His ability and concentration levels are by now legendary and most opponents realise that to defeat him they need a combination of good play from their side and Russell playing well below par. Despite that scenario unfolding late last night, Sitwala was unable to score an upset.

Causier, seeded second, displayed his trademark aggression and adventurous style of play in an emphatic 1206-430 victory against Lee Lagan, the 2003 IBSF world champion. With runs of 95, 172, 108, 92, 86, 142 and an unfinished 192, Causier's performance was characterised by great self-belief and reflected his cheerful and optimistic approach towards life. Causier now plays the 6'7" Chris Shutt who faced dogged resistance from Australia's Steve Mifsud. Shutt won the encounter 811-716, the highlight being a 286 at the 11th visit.

His worthy opponent from Down Under has been a former world snooker champion and is the current IBSF world No. 2 in snooker. It was heartening to an authentic snooker player play pure billiards. However, to gain knowledge in the three ball game one requires years of service and dedication and Mifsud, who flirts with billiards between his snooker engagements, will find that he will need to spend more time to be able to get a grip on this sport.

The results (Quarterfinals): Mike Russell 789 (130) bt Dhruv Sitwala 502 (121); Peter Gilchrist 889 (206, 119, 195) bt Geet Sethi 552 (101, 217); Chris Shutt 811 (286) bt Steve Mifsud 716 (102); David Causier 1206 (172, 108, 142, 192 unfinished) bt Lee Lagan 430.

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