Date:27/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/27/stories/2008052759961800.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Habib wins title

KOLKATA: Rafath Habib of Railways lifted his maiden title by outplaying Sumeet Talwar of Chandigarh 11-5 in the final of ONGC-Spring Club National 9-ball pool championship here on Monday.

Habib, the Asian Games gold medallist in snooker, applied all his experience and expertise to impose his authority on Talwar before the lanky pool specialist could get going.

With aggressive potting, well-controlled positioning and deft touch, Habib raced to a 10-1 in a race to 11 racks final.

A lapse in Habib’s concentration allowed Talwar to win the next four games and narrow the gap to 5-10. But Habib got back his touch and closed out the match in the next rack.

The results: Final: Rafath Habib (Rly) bt Sumeet Talwar (Chd) 11-5; Third place: Shahbaaz Khan (PSPB) bt Faisal Khan (Rly) 7-5. — Special Correspondent