Chintamani Jadhav of Pune narrowly won the deciding fifth frame to clinch a tight 3-2 win against Sahil Khan of Islam Gymkhana in an engrossing Senior men’s snooker second round qualifying match of the BSAM organized Maharashtra State Junior Snooker and Senior Snooker & Billiards Selection (leg 1) Championship – 2019, played at the Bombay Gymkhana billiards room on Wednesday.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes Sahil pocketed the opening frame, but Jadhav made a strong reply by winning the next two to take the lead. Sahil broke Jadhav’s momentum by taking the fourth frame to level scores. The fifth frame witnessed a fierce battle before Jadhav managed to win on the black to complete a hard-earned 51-65, 64-52, 57-34, 34-56 and 79-72 victory.
However, another Pune cueist Sanket Mutha bowed out, losing to Manan Shah of Malabar Hill Club 1-3 in another second round match. Shah was more consistent and managed to pull through with the frame scores reading 60-53, 41-62, 63-34 and 58-39 in his favour.
In two other matches, Adit Raja of Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana outshone Thane’s Mithil Shinde by storming to a 3-0 (73-37, 59-21 and 46-25) victory. Park Club’s Sanjeev Bijlani also had a relaxed outing as he sidelined Joseph Menezes of Otters Club winning easily at 3-0 (46-25, 48-37 and 52-22).
Results – Qualifying (second round): Manan Shah (Malabar Hill Club) beat Sanket Mutha (Pune) 3-0 (60-53, 41-62, 63-34, 58-39);
Adit Raja (JVPG) beat Mithil Shinde (Thane) 3-0 (73-37, 59-21, 46-25);
Sanjeev Bijlani (Park Club) beat Joseph Menezes (Otters Club) 3-0 (46-25, 48-37, 52-22);
Rahil Patel (JVPG) beat Karan Makwana (CRMI) 3-0 (70-39, 74-40, 73-46);
Avenish Shah (MCF) beat Pankaj Vanjari (Dadar Club) 3-1 (52-34, 43-54, 61-23, 48-38);
Chintamani Jadhav (Pune) beat Sahil Khan (Islam Gymkhana) 3-2 (51-65, 64-52, 57-34, 34-56, 79-72);
Aashit Pandya (Dombivali Gym) beat Chinmay Gawde (Radio Club) 3-1 (65-09, 56-17, 34-64, 85-49).
