MALLE/LIER - The three teams in the Belgian leagues that already went to the title in the highest classes are making a gala tour along their final opponents these days. Mister 100 Lier (top class), DBC De Leug 2 (second class A) and De Ploeg (second class B) celebrate the championship they have won and get ready for new challenges. De Ploeg returns to the highest league, De Leug 2 makes the jump to the top division, where the first team is already playing. New well known players next year in the top division are Jeffrey Jorissen, Therese Klompenhouwer, Dustin Jäschke, Andy de Bondt and Joey de Kok.
Mister 100 played its 20th match (out of a total of 22) in its away match against Den Eik, the team that finished second, this Monday evening. The 'Ceulemans team' with Jerry Hermans and Marco Jansssen (34 points out of 20, Den Eik 27 out of 20) went to Aartselaar with a small fan club where the non-playing Bart Ceulemans sent a real 'wave' through the playing hall. Peter Ceulemans and Eddy Merckx played a gala match, which was won by Ceulemans 40-39 (23 innings), as Merckx needed a run of 6 for the draw, but missed his last point.
Marco Janssen won again for the team in which he is a substitute for Bart Ceulemans: 40-34 against Ludo Dielis in 45 innings. Twice there was a win for BC Den Eik: Richard Bitalis showed his best side by beating Jerry Hermans 40-25 in 19 innings (2.105). That made the scratchy Frenchman the best player of the evening. Davy van Havere beat Kurt Ceulemans 40-34 in 26.
In the lower parts of the rankings, Kortrijkse scored an important victory over Biljart Express 6-2 (Philippe Vandendriessche was the best man with 40 in 23), allowing the West Flemish to take more distance from Mister 100 2 for the time being, which plays another home match against Herstalien this week. Kortrijk passes Promotion team and De Witte Molen with 17 points. On the two relegation places, with three matches left to play, are Mister 100 2 with 12 and Biljartpalace with 9 points.
Second classes
The second team of DBC De Leug became unattainable last week and is the proud champion, promoting to the highest class next season with Jeffrey Jorissen, Therese Klompenhouwer, Andy de Bondt and Mik Durwael. The team continued its triumphant run with a 6-2 victory over Kasteeldreef, Monday night. Therese Klompenhouwer was the best of the team with a win in 35 innings. Jeffrey Jorissen shone with a run of 14, but needed 39 innings for the 40 points against Piet Rodts.
De Leug 2 has 32 points now out of 18 matches. The team has its eye on next season after its ambitions to win this title. Mik Durwael, team captain and with his wine business Vinatera main sponsor, speaks out in favor of a new feat: ’’We don't want to be a one-hit wonder in the top league. I recruited this team for a reason with a lot of ambition for the future. It is a close-knit team with a lot of respect and a strong drive.''
With Jeffrey Jorissen (1.557 average this season), Therese Klompenhouwer (1.145), Andy de Bondt (0.959) and Mik Durwael himself (0.962), it is a strong collective. The location of De Leug Snooker en Biljarts in Aartselaar has been a well-known billiard venue since 2014. Previously, De Maan in Schelle, formerly the business of Eddy Merckx, was the playing venue. Five billiard clubs and a snooker club are active in De Leug. Recently there has also been a darts room.
With strong players such as Martin Horn, Jef Philipoom, Jean van Erp and Wesley de Jaeger, De Ploeg has a history in the highest league. But most of all, Daniëlle le Bruyn's billiard café is a stronghold where major international championships have been organized. The first team has started the climb up again after its relegation from the highest league. Dustin Jäschke is a good winner, Joey de Kok a talent who is gaining international experience these years, Eddy Willems and Roger Roefs are the routines and, among others, the young Dutchman Joris van 't Zelfden is eager to get into the spotlight.
De Ploeg has a big lead over Herstalien 2 after Monday night's victory over De Leug 3. The title and promotion are a reward for a strong season. Dustin Jäschke: ’’We will play with the same team next season, with a strong team spirit. I expect a lot from our return to the highest league. We are enjoying being able to play against the top teams again.’’
Mister 100 team and the fans for this week's match
De Ploeg's champions team with Dustin Jäschke, Roger Roefs, Jul van Aperen (sponsor), Joey de Kok and Eddy Willems.