OOSTERHOUT/ZUNDERT - The leading position after two match days in the Dutch premier league for teams is still in the hands of Zundert. Two teams make up the sub-top with one match point less, the middle ground consists of six chasers with two match points. Dick Jaspers and Henk Blauwblomme (40 caroms in 16 and 40 in 18) were among the top winners in the second round. Roland Forthomme scored the highest run with 14 ahead of Raymund Swertz with 13 and Jef Philipoom with 12. J&F Auto's is the only team without points.
The leader (Zundert) played its match ahead on Friday, this Sunday, the remaining five matches were played. Three of them ended in a draw, only Team Eekhoorn and Aartsbouw went to a 6-2 win: Team Eekhoorn at home, Aartsbouw in the away match against Bousema Lochem.
Eddy Merckx pulled out the win for Aartsbouw in his match against Martin Horn (40-31 in 26 innings). Ronny Brants and Wesley de Jaeger contributed to the Brabant win with wins over Gökhan Salman and Stefan Galla: 40-39 in 32, 40-34 in 35. The only winner for the home team was Jeffrey Jorissen: 40-32 in 22 against Turgay Orak.
Team Eekhoorn dragged out victory against De Biljartacademie, despite the lost top match on centercourt where Roland Forthomme, among others thanks to a run of 14, won over Nikos Polychronopoulos 40-36 in 21. Peter Ceulemans, Frans van Kuyk and Jerry Hermans were successful for Eekhoorn in 35, 27 and 29 innings.
Babbelz travelled to Sluiskil and, after winning on the first matchday, were now stuck on a draw against Dallinga. Peter De Backer and Bart Ceulemans treated the Zeeland team to that one precious match point. Frédéric Caudron beat Steven van Acker 40-30 in 27.
Paperclip and SIS, in SIS' stronghold, lived up to their provisional status in the middle of the ranking. Most looked forward to Jaspers-Van Erp, the match that was decisive for the final score. The win went to Dick Jaspers with 40-24 in 16, best game of this round and good for the 4-4 that Paperclip dragged away. Raymund Swertz excelled for the home team with a win (and run 13) against Dan Breur, 40-15 in 20 innings. Raimond Burgman made a strong 10, but was beaten to the finish by Anno de Kleine 40-39.
Cues&Darts secured its first point in the home match against RCN Nieuwegein. Best winner of the day was Henk Blauwblomme in 18 innings against Joey de Kok (40-22). Glenn Hofman stayed just ahead of Dave Christiani (40-37 in 23), at the other side Huub Wilkowski narrowly won against Gerwin Valentijn (40-39). Barry van Beers restored the balance against Jef Philipoom with 40-36 in 31.
Henk Blauwblomme among the best players in second round