YMCA’s Zulfikar emerges Colombo District champion
YMCA’s S.M. Zulfikar emerged the Colombo District Snooker Champion when he defeated J.M. Bandara of Army by four frames to one in the seven frame final played at the Billiards and Snooker Association headquarters billiards table at Sugathadasa Sports Hotel in Colombo yesterday.
Zulifkar had little difficulty in overcoming his opponent Bandara after taking a three frame lead before having a minor setback by conceding the fourth frame but sealed the title in his favour with a comfortable fifth frame win.
After a long lapse S.M. Zulfikar pocketed a title to his name - Pic by Amila Gamage
Earlier in the day Army’s Bandara and Zulfikar qualified to the final by securing wins over A.H.M.Mubashir of MICH and R.N. Ratnayake of Sea Lord in the semi final encounters.
Bandara had an easy passage against opponent Rikaz whom he beat three frames to one in the five frame match. Bandara having taken an early lead conceded the second frame before cruising through to victory by winning the third and fourth frames.
In contrast Zulfikar was given some anxious moments by his opponent Ratnayake who took a 21- lead after conceding the first frame. But Zulfikar came back with vengeance to surge ahead and seal the game by winning the remaining two frames.
Meanwhile Rikaz prevailed over Ratnayake in the three frame third place off with an easy 2-0 victory. The seven frames final between Bandara and Zulfikar was scheduled to be played in the evening.
The Colombo District Snooker Championship a prelude to National Snooker Championship which is due be held later. Over 170 cueists participated in the Colombo District Snooker Championship.
The top sixteen cueists along with qualifiers from the Galle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya District tournaments will contest in the All Island Lanka Plate Championship where the top 16 in this tournament will vie with top ranked 16 cueists of Sri Lanka in the National Snooker Championship.
Results:
Quarter-finals: J.M. Bandara (Army) beat .A.H.M. Mubashir (MICH) 3-2 (66/59, 35/37, 58/44, 45/58, 45/26); M.M. Rikaz (MICH) beat Shashika Perera (The Cue) 3-1 (53/64, 70/19, 51/42, 66/29); S.M. Zulfikar (YMCA) beat T.N. Raseepdeen (MICH) 3-1 (65/38, 29/57, 56/09, 62/39); R.N. Ratnayake (Sea Lord) beat M.M. Rizmi (MSC) 3-0 (64/24, 73/49, 40/29).
Semi-finals: J.M. Bandara (Army) beat M.M. Rikaz (MICH) 3-1 (57/22, 22/46, 50/18, 45/28); A.M. Zulfikar (YMCA) beat R.N. Ratnayake (Sea Lord) 3-2 (56/13, 28/59, 41/44, 60/49, 55/22).
Third-place playoff: M.M. Rikaz (MICH) beat R.N. Ratnayake (Sea Lord) 2-0 (48/32, 56/23).
Final: S.M. Zulfikar (YMCA) beat J.Bandara (Army) 4-1 (51/1, 56/34, 48/19, 26/51, 50/42).