ROSMALEN - The top teams in the Dutch league for classic games will meet a in a fascinating showdown on the final day of the championship. Three teams still have a chance to take the title after the penultimate round, which was played this Saturday. The difference between them is only two points. 't Ottertje and Etikon are on the lead with 34 points, A1 Biljart/De Veemarkt is only one point down, only Topteam Berkelland has no chance with 23 points in the leading group.
The match between Etikon and Berkelland in Sportsfoyer De Hazelaar was a one-way match because Eddy Leppens and Alain Remond were missing in the Haarlo team. Etikon won 6-0 and 4-2. The other match between A1/Biljarts and 't Ottertje was exciting. 'T Ottertje won the first encounter 4-2, De Veemarkt took revenge in the return 5-1.
'T Ottertje had an excellent start in the important match. Micha van Bochem won the balkline 47/2 against Michel Silfhout 200-141 in 8, Martien van der Spoel surprised by a win over Raymund Swertz (150-83 in five, run 109). Frédéric Caudron could only reduce the loss to 4-2 by beating Jos Bongers 100-4 in six innings.
In the second meeting, Micha van Bochem and Michel van Silfhout played a draw (200-200 in four). Raymond Swertz sparkled in his second against Martien van der Spoel 150-24 in the fifth and Frédéric Caudron beat Jos Bongers again: 100-16 in 16.
Ferry Jong, Patrick Niessen and Jean Paul de Bruijn took a 6-0 score against Topteam Berkelland. Ferry Jong defeated Marek Faus by a run of 102 (200-52). Roy van Raay came close to Patrick Niessen, but eventually lost 200-197 in seven.
In the second round, Faus took his revenge against Jong, also in three innings. Patrick Niessen finished the 71/2 in one inning against Roy van Raay.
Jean Paul de Bruijn won his first match in one cushion against Brian ter Braak (substitute for Leppens) 100-20 in five innings and the second by 100-40 in twelve.
The two victories of Etikon were important to enter the final day. Because of these results in the champions group, the last league round on May 21 is very exciting. The two leaders Etikon and ‘t Otter meet in Ottersum, A1 plays against Topteam Berkelland.
The results:
'T Ottertje-A1 4-2
'T Ottertje-A1 1-5
Etikon-Topteam Berkelland 6-0
Etikon-Topteam Berkelland 4-2
The ranking:
1 't Ottertje 34 points
2 Etikon 34
3 A1 Biljarts/De Veemarkt 32
4 Topteam Berkelland 23.