Date:23/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052353222100.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Manan Chandra takes the title

Special Correspondent

— FILE PHOTO: S.R. Raghunathan

Manan.

KOLKATA: Manan Chandra of PSPB edged Kamal Chawla of Railways 9-7 to win the ONGC-Spring Club National 8-ball pool championship here.

The contest between two immaculate potters ended with Chandra’s experience deciding the issue.

Chandra took an early lead of 4-2. Chawla fought back to equalise at 4-4 but the PSPB cueist surged ahead again to 7-4 and thereafter maintained it till the end.

Chawla failed to capitalise fully on easy openings. On the other hand, Chandra held his nerve to rack-out for the last time right unto the black in the sixteenth rack and win his second 8-ball title out of the three played so far.

Chandra has five 9-ball titles under his belt, out of the six played so far.

Presently his wife Anuja has just won the 9-ball women’s title and his sister-in-law Meenal, the 8-ball title. Chandra is now in line for his second pool double.

Rafath Habib of Railways defended his No. 3 position for the third time in a row by beating Alok Kumar 5-3.