Pene qualifies for snooker semi-finals

DEFENDING champion Erenio Pene qualified for the semi-finals of Nadi Open Snooker Championship after defeating Remal Narayan 3-0 in the quarter-finals at the Nadi Sports Club.

Pene, who represents the South Seas Sharks in the North West Billiards and Snooker Association league earlier faced a tough fight against Alzumar Khan in the eliminations.

The match went down to the wire after both players locked 2-all in the five-frame fixture. Pene held his nerve in the final frame to post a close victory 3-2. In the other quarter-finals, Nitesh Chand defeated veteran Yogen Prasad 3-2, Sahil Prasad downed Shalend Gounder 3-1 while Rahil Prasad beat Isireli Kaci 3-1.

Tournament co-ordinator Remal Narayan said more than 40 players registered for the three-day tournament which was sponsored by Lautoka Auto Mechanical, Signs Pacific and Fried Chicken Planet . Tournament co-ordinator Remal Narayan said the foul and miss rule with three resets started from the quarter-final stage.

Narayan said this was in line with the Billiards and Snooker Association of Fiji tournament regulations to make the event more competitive.

Results: Mohammed Hassim def Pankaj Sinha, Amani Nuku def Davendra Prasad, Raymond Reddy def Parmesh Naicker, Lema Matailevu def Dan Saturu, Nitesh Chand def Nikhil Reddy, Kritesh Rathod def Karunagaran Naicker, Amish Patel def Sashi Pillay, Alzumar Khan def Hasmukh Chauhan, Navneil Maharaj def Jason, Savati Natoga def Rajneel, Rajnesh Prasad def Abraham Khan, Tarun Padayachi def Abdul Zaved.