Kotwani, Madan to clash for billiards title

Mumbai's Hitesh Kotwani and Vishal Madan entered the billiards final of the BSAM Maharashtra State Senior Selection (leg-2) Championship here Saturday.

In a penultimate round clash, Kotwani of the Hindu Gymkhana produced another disciplined performance to scrape past a fighting Arun Agrawal of Matunga Gymkhana in a tense and engrossing contest.

Kotwani managed to pull through by a 4-2 score line in the best-of-7-frame race-to-150 point match.

He compiled breaks of 58, 77, 44, 52 and 64, while Agrawal had breaks of 37, 47, 38 and 52.

Madan of Chembur Gymkhana rallied to tame Malabar Hill Clubs Rajeev Sharma 4-1 in the second semi-final.

Madan made a strong reply after losing the first frame as he won the subsequent four frames in succession to dash Sharma's hopes by coasting to a 39-150, 150-24, 150-133, 150-15, 150-148 victory.

Results: (semi-finals): Hitesh Kotwani (Hindu Gym) beat Arun Agrawal (Matunga Gym) 4-2 (150(58)-146, 55-150, 150(77)-90(37), 72(44)-150(47,38), 150(52)-128, 150 (64)-122 (52); Vishal Madan (Chembur Gym) beat Raajeev Sharma (Malabar Hill Club) 4-1 (39-150(45,45), 150-24, 150-133, 150 (84,59,39) -15, 150(59,57)-148(53,41).

Quarter-finals:Kotwanibeat Sparsh Pherwani (Cricket Club of India) 3-2;Agrawal beat Rishabh Thakkar (Otters Club) 3-2; Madan beat Rishabh Kumar (Garware Club House) 3-0; Sharma beat Rayaan Razmi (Elphinstone Cricket Club) 3-2.