Mixed luck for Indian teams in IBSF Snooker

Bangalore, Aug 23 (UNI) Indian teams had a mixed luck in the IBSF World Snooker Team Championship being played in San Jose, United States, with India-B steamrolling South Africa 9-0 and India A going down to formidable England 2-7 in the Group league matches.

Pankaj Advani, the newly crowned Khel Ratna, playing for India'A' failed to keep his nerves as he went down to Miahael Rhodes 1-2. In the other matches Manan Chandra and former Asian Champion Yasin Merchant lost to David Lilley and David Craggs respectively.

This was the first loss to India 'A' in the seven team Group 'A'.

Earlier they had beaten USA-'A', Hong Kong and Isle of Man. In their next two outings they play Sweden and USA 'B'.

India 'B' led by Railways star Rafat Habib brightened up their chances of a knockout berth with a runaway win against South Africa.

Rafat beat a fighting Mik Hines, Siddharth Rao overcome Rafi Lanbala and Aditya Mehta thrashed Ryan George. India 'B' has won all its four matches played so far. In the remaining two ties it plays USA 'A' and Thailand.

Following are the results: Group A: England Bt India-A 7-2 (David Lilley bt Manan Chandra 2-1; Michael rhodes bt Pankaj Advani 2-1; David Craggs bt Yasin Merchant 3-0); Isle of Man bt USA-B 5-4; Thailand bt USA-C 9-0.

Group B: India-B bt South Africa 9-0 (Rafat Habib bt Mik Hines 3-0; Siddarth Rao bt Rafik Lanbala 3-0; Aditya Mehta bt Ryan George 3-0); Thailand bt USA-C 9-0; Australia bt Japan 7-2; Hong Kong bt USA-A 7-2.

Seniors: Scotland bt Australia 6-3; Ireland bt New Zealand 5-4.

UNI RS MSP SKB DH RN2045