Snooker: Mukund Bharadia on fire, cracks 98 break
Cricket Club of India cueist Mukund Bharadia was in outstanding form and produced the big breaks to dash the spirited challenge from Aashit Pandya of Dombivali Gymkhana by pulling through in five frames at 3-2 in a second round match of the Khar Gymkhana Open Handicap Snooker Tournament at the Khar Gymkhana billiards room.
Bharadia (+5 handicap) quickly got into his groove and fired in breaks of 30 and 68 to win the first frame and then neatly constructed a run of 98 (presently the highest in the tournament) in the second frame to open up a 2-0 lead. But, Pandya (+25) seemed unfazed by Bharadia’s big efforts as he fought back by winning the next two to take the match to the decider.
Bharadia once again came good in the fifth and crafted a break 45 to win the deciding frame and complete a satisfying 116-25, 103-25, 51-73, 24-74, 70-28 victory.
Meanwhile, Mahadev
Bhogle (+45) a billiards marker at Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana’s with some clever tactical play managed to scrape past Catholic Gymkhana’s Ralph Fernandes (+45) by recording a creditable win in three closely fought frames to clinch a 3-0 (92-84, 99-87 and 100-53) triumph in another second round match.
NSCI’s Anant Mehta (+50) also earned a straight frames 3-0 win against Rahil Patel +40) of JVPG. Mehta as he cruised to 104-88, 96-90 and 99-60 victory.
Amit Sapru of Park Club was in great nick and raced to a 3-0 win against Pankaj Vanjari of Dadar Club in another second round clash. Sapru (+40) potted steadily to tame Vanjari (+50) by a 10475, 108-92 and 91-90 success.