BARENDRECHT - The battle for the four play-off places in the Dutch three-cushion league mainly focus to the match between MCR/De Uitspanning and De Distel Biljarts in the 20th round on Sunday. The number two of the ranking and the number five meet on three rounds before the end. De Uitspanning, in its home match, needs a win to enforce the qualification.
De Distel cannot afford a loss, actually, although the current numbers three and four, Pressplate Machielsen and Biljartcafé Jorissen then possibly remain within reach.
Pressplate shows up in an away match against Post Luchtkanalen, which is still embroiled in the relegation battle. Martin Horn will not play, because there is also a double weekend in the bundesliga. AEJ Dallinga is missing Eddy Merckx for that reason in Lochem against Holland Mineral. Frans van Schaik will face ,,an old fellow'', Dick Jaspers, in that match.
Biljartcafé Jorissen should gather two matchpoints normally in the duel with Capelle/De Terp. De Distel therefor is facing a tough job against MCR: a loss can Jef Philipoom and Gerwin Valentijn's team throw back to four points and more with two games to play.
The matches for the 20th match day:
Post Luchtkanalen-Pressplate-Machielsen.fa
Van Havere-Forthomme
Van Wijk-P. Ceulemans
Celen-Van Beers
Pijnenburg-Groot
Holland Mineraal-AEJ/Dallinga
Caudron-Galla
Jaspers-Van Schaik
De Bruijn-Pijl
B. Ceulemans-Spilleman
Capelle/De Terp-Biljartcafe Jorissen
Spoormans-Hofman
Sciacca-Van Erp
Breur-Jorissen
Van Lieshout-Van Daalen
MCR/De Uitspanning-De Distel Biljarts
Leppens-Philipoom
Christiani-Valentijn
Bitalis-Tijssens
Jonen-Verkijk
HCR Prinsen-A1 Biljarts
Rudolph-Burgman
De Kleine-Van der Spoel
Van Slifhout-Blauwblomme
Swertz-Wienk
van Wanrooy Transport-Ripa Recycling/ Pearle
K. Ceulemans-Forton
Martens-Daniëls
Van de Ven-Van Dam
Broeders-Bergmans.