Young cueists shine on day one

SNOOKER: The National Snooker championship for the year 2007 commenced on Saturday at the Billiards & Snooker Association tables, Reid Avenue. On day one Henry Boteju was the man who took major honours when he recorded a straight four frames victory over S.M. Zulfifar. (72-34, 54-14, 68-38, 61-09).

Another experienced player S.H.M. Aslam also recorded his victory comfortably over S.M. Sharhawardhi four frames to nil (63-51, 68-36, 61-09, 58-09) meanwhile O. Shirajudeen, Dr. Pami Somaratne and P.J.M. Ameen received walk overs from, M. Naushad, Suresh Hashim and Susantha Boteju respectively.

National Billiard champion K.H. Sirisoma who is a favourite in this tournament to reach the final round was beaten by young Ryan Somaratne 4-3 in a closely contested game.

This was also the only game that went for the full duration of seven frames.

The championship, continues The national championship is sponsored by Sumathi Group of companies.

Results

Henry Boteju beat S.M. Zulfikar 4/0 (72/34, 53/14, 68/38, 61/09)

Naleen Senaratne beat Sunil De Silva 4/2 (55/35, 50/39, 59/38, 28/45, 25/64, 48/43)

M. Sethupathi beat M. Fawas 4/2 (16/51, 82/12, 59/32, 74/41, 23/45, 69/27)

O. Shirajudeen w/o from M. Naushad

M.J.M. Thasleem beat P. Pushpakumara 4/1

Dr. Somaratne W/O from Zuresh Hashim

P.J.M. Ameen W/O from Susantha Boteju

Rohitha De Silva beat - Waseer Haseem 4/1 (72/65, 31/39, 53/19, 57/48, 58/19)

A.A. Karim beat - Anil Rohana 4/2 (51/21, 39/58, 62/18, 15/67, 53/17, 58/33)

Ryan Somaratne beat - K.H. Sirisoma 4/3 (61/35, 18/47, 68/33, 52/59, 54/24, 43/50, 55/45)

S.H.M. Aslam beat S.M. Sharhawardhi 4/0 (63/51, 68/36, 61/09, 58/09)

Shehan Somaratne beat S. Samarawickrama 4/2 (58/45, 35/58, 56/20, 28/ 64, 65/35, 46/32)

B.P.