Patrick Niessen is half way: two of four gold medals

BLANKENBERGE - The applause for his first title had barely fade away when Patrick Niessen could climb on the highest podium again. Two titles in two disciplines are forgiven. The real balk line player stands up in this Belgian championship, but we all have to confess that another great master (Frédéric Caudron) has stopped playing balk line. Patrick Niessen thinks that it's sad for the tournament and for the spectators, not only because Caudron is a star in all the disciplines. And a title with Caudron as a competitor is always worth more than a gold medal without Caudron. ,,It's his decision, we must respect it'', Niessen said. ,,But we miss him for sure in these games. The federation should do something, for example with better rewards for titles.''

For his four titles (free game, 47/2, 47/1 and 71/2) Niessen has to compete primarily with Eddy Leppens, Philippe Deraes and Andy de Bondt now.

Fifteen matches in four disciplines resulted in a total of fourteen wins until now. He just lost to Leppens, on Friday evening, when Niessen was defeated 250-192 in three innings. ,,My title was not in danger, I only needed 99 caroms.''

On Saturday afternoon Niessen defeated in his first match Eddy Leppens in 47/1 in another magnificent performance: 200-25 in two innings. What remains for Niessen is the final battle in free game and 47/2, in which game only Leppens can threat him.

Frédéric Caudron leads in the one cushion group with six points out of three and 19.56 average ahead of Peter De Backer with five points and 7.75 and Eddy Leppens with three points and 9.20. Caudron plays on Sunday against De Backer for the title.

The maximum runs in the disciplines are:

Free game:
Patrick Niessen, Philippe Deraes (400)

Balk line 47/1:
Patrick Niessen (200)

The first two final rankings:

Balk line 47/1:
1 Patrick Niessen 8-40.00-200
2 Eddy Leppens 6-18.38-115
3 Philippe Deraes 2-11,38-54
4 Robby Sonck 2-11.22-73
5 Eddy Berger 2-9.18-42

Balk line 71/2:
1 Patrick Niessen 6-37.68-179
2 Eddy Leppens 6-33.92-198
3 Philippe Deraes 6-24.33-200
4 Martin Ravestyn 2-12.72-86
5 Peter Debaes 0-11.85-60.