MARXUQUERA - The first sprint was launched by Frédéric Caudron, although he missed a kickstart in the challenge. The lead with sixteen points in a battle over six hundred caroms (61-45) is not more than a drop in the ocean. The first session of the Juanjo Trilles Challenge had a slow start (Jaspers led 12-7 in 9 innings), then Caudron attacked, he found his rhythm at the moment his opponent faltered in the middle of the match.
The Belgian number on in the world made a gap with runs of 7 (12th inning), 6 (13th), 6 (15th) and 10 (17th) and ran to 42-27. That score was decisive for the victory in the first session, but eventually Jaspers crawled back with some small runs at the end.
Frédéric Caudron reacted coolly after his first pat. ,,I didn't expect that I would have been nervous at the start, but it happened anyway in the first ten innings. That's why I missed the start of the game. But after ten sessions I said to myself: why would I be nervous, there is so much time. And from that moment, I got a better control with some runs.''
Maybe one reason was that both players had some things to do before the kick-off. Photo sessions near the swimming pool of the Juanjo Trilles villa, interviews for the Kozoom cameras, does the new jacket with the Challenge logo fit well? You want some of this, you want some of that? What's it gonna be at the start? A baby crying in the audience...
But after all, the match could start in the impressive billiards room down in the villa, a crowded room with fifty spectators, among them the Belgian billiard legend Raymond Ceulemans, the president of the world federation UMB, Jean Claude Dupont, the young Spanish billiard player Esteve Mata and a lot of pure billiard fans who came to see the two world class players.
The cameras (seven Kozoom cameras in total) were installed, the table in a perfect condition and after all the players were ready for the kickoff. Frédéric Caudron won the leg, he started with two points, but then had a little slump until the 11th inning (19-10 for Jaspers).
There was a small incident in between, during the ten minute break requested by Caudron on a 24-24 score. Where is Dick Jaspers' blue glove? The world champion showes some signs of panic: ,,I can't have lost it, because I only went to the toilet and was a few minutes outside to freshen up.''
The brief interlude of the match caused some hilarity in the room and a loud applause when the Dutchman returned. ,,I really couldn't find it, so I think someone has taken him. I just went to my room to get another one.''
The scores:
Caudron-Jaspers.
10th inning: 9-17
14th inning: 24-24
16th inning: 32-27
17th inning: 42-27
21th inning: 49-38
23th inning: 53-42
25th inning: 61-45 (24 innings Jaspers)
Caudron averaged 2.440, Jaspers 1.800.
Highest runs: Caudron 10, Jaspers 6.