Niessen beats Leppens, Leppens gets past De Backer

BLANKENBERGE - At the end of a long third day with some hard-fought matches, Patrick Niessen sparkled in a 400 caroms win in free game from the break against Johan Devos (400-1), Eddy Leppens put himself in title picture with a win against Peter De Backer in one cushion (150-63 in nine) and Ronny Daniels and Kenny Miatton finished with a place in the next round of the three-cushion.

Roland Forthomme and Ivan Stitschinsky did it already in the other group as the numbers one and two. Of the four players to advance, Forthomme had the best average by far (1.690), Daniels was the group winner with 1.212, Kenny Miatton recorded 1.000 and Ivan Stitschinsky 0.978. Frank de Groof was one of the players who were eliminated, although he almost surprised against Forthomme: De Groof missed the equalizer in the 32nd inning. He finished third in the group by losing to Stitschinsky (40-24 in 23). Kenny Miatton was second in the group with Ronny Daniels by victories over Tom Persyn (40-32 in 36) and Luc Salvo (40-32 in 32).

Patrick Niessen maintained his unbeaten status on this third day, but there's much to be done. With his strong performance and win over Eddy Leppens in the 71/2 (250-51 in five, 178 run), he is the main competitor for Frédéric Caudron in this discipline. Caudron had a day off yesterday and played only one match in the 71/2 so far. Niessen leads with two wins and 41.66, Caudron won his first with 125.00. Niessen, always hungry for match wins, kept his run going with a win over Maarten Janssen in the third session in 47/2, 300-24 in two and a flawless run of 284. Therefore, Niessen is the lead player in this discipline with four match points and 100.00 average ahead of Peter Debaes with two points and 34.55 .

Eddy Leppens launched himself as the main rival for Frédéric Caudron in one cushion. In the last evening round, he left Peter De Backer behind with a piercing jump and beat the champion from two years ago in this discipline: 150-63 in nine with a run of 54.
In 5 pins, Peter Debaes from DOS Roeselare and Alain Clabots from BC Herstalien remained unbeaten in their group and are the leaders ahead of athy Monnissen and Peter Mostrey.

Today, on the fourth day, Frédéric Caudron and Eddy Leppens start the show in a fair test in 71/2 (11.00), facing each other in a bump that can be decisive for the podium places in this discipline. Patrick Niessen continues against Johan Devos in 71/2 (18.00) and also plays 47/2 against Robby Sonck (20.30). Rapid fire Caudron shows up in one cushion against Frédéric Mottet (15.30).

In three cushion, it is the day of Group 5 and 6: Peter De Backer, Sven van Orshaegen, Henk Blauwblomme and Andy Bond are playing for two places in the next round in five, Jef Philipoom, Marc Roofthooft, Francis Forton and Kurt Ceulemans meet each other in an interesting group 6. The final decisions are expected only in the last evening session at 20.30.

Patrik Mintjens, the sports director, and Benny van Goethem, the pleasant oracle at the microphone, invite you to visit Blankenberge Casino. But of course: you can also follow all matches live on kozoom.com.

Eddy Leppens, a win over Peter De Backer in one cushion, a loss against Patrick Niessen in 71/2.