| Sports |
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57th Snooker Nationals
Reigning snooker champions clash for the plum |
| By M. Shamil Amit |
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| Ryan Somaratna who outclassed Prasanna Pushpakumara 6-0 in action yesterday. Picture by Ranjith Perera. |
In a rare occurrence in the history of a national championship, two reigning champions have qualified to clash in the 57th National Snooker Championship final scheduled to be played today.
The reigning national snooker champions in the junior and senior nationals Ryan Somaratna of OAC and Susantha Boteju of YMCA cruised through to the final with easy wins over Prasanna Pushpakumara of YMBA and Thariq Ahamed of YMCA.
Somaratna recorded a convincing six frames to nil win over Pushpakumara in the first semi final of the 11 frames encounter while Boteju brushed aside Ahamed’s challenge by six frames to two in the second semi final. Both were played at the Billiards and Snooker Association headquarters billiards table in Reid Avenue.
Nineteen-year-old Somaratna has been in terrific form since he became the junior national snooker champion in 2006 which he has successfully retained it for another two years.
Somaratna playing in his third senior national snooker championships has gone from strength to strength. In his first appearance he was knocked out in the first round. The second year saw him going further where he qualified to the quarter finals.
Young Somaratna who was in fine form in the ongoing championship having made three ‘half-ton’ breaks did not give the more experience Pushpakumara a ghost of a chance.
Once the green light was given for the start by referee Sheikul Jiffrey it was Somaratna all the way. He took an early lead taking the first frame with ease which gave him the confidence to rattle Pushpakumara with the minimum of fuss.
In contrast the experienced Boteju had to surrender two frames. He took an early three frame lead but conceded the fourth and seventh frames before pulling off the game.
It will be an acid test for young Somaratna who is meeting the experienced and 11 time national champion Boteju who will go all out to retain the title which will be his 12th.
Boteju first won the national title in 1996 and retained it for six years till 2001. He was placed third in 2002 but regained it in 2003 where he again retained it for four years till 2006.
He did not participate in 2007 but came back to regain it last year. The 13 frame final is scheduled to get underway at 11.00 a.m. with a break in between and will be continued from 3.00 p.m.
Results:
Semi Final – Ryan Somaratna (OAC) beat Prasanna Pushpakumara (YMBA) 6/0 (65/28, 57/36, 65/30, 65/59, 53/12, 65/11).Susantha Boteju (YMCA) beat Thariq Ahamed (YMCA) 6/2 (63/55, 60/41, 61/24, 58/68, 75/49, 64/13, 04/58, 66/56) |
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