Susantha Boteju retains title for ninth successive year

SUSANTHA Boteju retained his National Snooker title for the ninth successive year when he downed S.H.M. Aslam of Moors Sports Club seven frames to three. The final which was scheduled for thirteen frames finished at the tenth frame when Boteju took the seventh frame.

The morning session which was started at 11.00 a.m. saw a ding dong battle of the two with eight frames to be completed defending champ took the first set at 72-53 but Aslam fought back to level winning the second at 69-41.

The third frame went in favour if Boteju 65-41. Once again Aslam with a strong fight won the next frame to level at 2 frames. Boteju sensing the toughness of his opponent used his experience to grab the next two frames 68-27 and 66-58 which took him to the lead 4-2.

Boteju relaxed bit a and Aslam reduced the lead winning the seventh at 50-71. The last frame of the morning session was won by Boteju making 77 against Aslam's 22. This victory saw Boteju extend his lead to five frames to three.

The second session in the evening saw the best crowd seen for the table sport after a long lapse with the whole parlour jam packed. Boteju was in command from the first cue and went onto win the ninth and tenth frames to clinch the title with ease. Scores read in favour of Boteju 88-25 and 88-29.

With the completion of the 2005 National Snooker Championship Boteju was awarded the U.W. Sumathipala Trophy and a cash award of Rs. 25,000. The guests on the occasion were Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sripathi Sooriyarachchi and Jagath Sumathipala of Sumathi Group, the sponsors of the championship for the sixth successive year.

Dr. A.P.P. Somaratne paid a special tribute to media for the fine coverage during the championship, which served the sport fans to find their way to the parlour in large numbers to witness a grand final. He requested the same support in the future for the sport.

Result: 7-3

72-53, 41-69, 65-41, 61-75, 68-27, 66-59, 50-71, 77-22, 88-25, 88-29 (BP).