Pune clubs enter next stage of Mumbai snooker-billiards league

Mumbai, Sep 1 (UNI) Debutant Pune teams PYC Hindu Gymkhana and Poona Club, both put up sterling performances to qualify for the Super League, in the Sandesh Memorial Mumbai Billiards and Snooker League in the week ending August 27. Poona Club topped Group B to make it to the next round, while PYC Hindu Gymhana qualified from Group E with a second place finish.

Catholic Gymkhana fashioned exciting home and away ties to scrape into the Super League.

Needing a solitary win against PJ Hindu Gymkhana 'A' in Group 'J' in the last round of the first phase, Catholic Gymkhana went on to win their home match 3-1 and away tie 3-2 to top the group, while PJ Hindu Gymkhana 'A' qualified with a second place finish.

Needing a win to top Group 'L', CCI 'A' escaped with a 3-1 away win over Wodehouse Gymkhana who won their home tie 3-2. Joining CCI 'A' in the 24-team Super League was Garware Club House 'A' who were second in the group.

While Elphinstone Cricket Club 'A' topped group 'H', there was a tie between MCF 'A' and Parsee Gymkhana, who will clash at the ECC on Friday to decide the second qualifier.

Meanwhile, the Super League will get under way at the Islam Gymkhana and Garware Club House from September 3.

Amongst others, India star Aditya Mehta, who will return from the IBSF World Team Snooker Championship in the US on September 4, will lead Chembur Gymkhana's challenge in the Super League.

Results (home&away, week ending August 27): Group A: Spring Club bt Bombay Gym 'A' 3-2, 3-1; Khar Gym 'C' lost to Otters Club 1-3, 1-3.

Group C: MbPT SC 'B' lost to Chembur Gym 2-3, 1-3; Park Club bt Dombivli Gym 'A' 3-2. Group D: ECC 'B' bt Matunga Gym 'A' 3-2, 3-1; Dombivli 'B' lost to Reynolds 2-3, won 3-2.

Group F: Bombay Gym 'B' bt NSCI 3-2, 3-0; Willingdon SC bt Santa Cruz Gym 3-1, lost 1-3.

Group G: Garware Club House 'B' bt PJ Hindu Gym 'B' 3-2, 3-0; Khar Gym 'B' lost to Malabar Hill Club 0-3, 1-3.

Group H: MCF 'A' lost to ECC 'A' 2-3, 1-3; MbPT SC 'A' lost to Dadar Parsee Gym 'B' 1-3, 2-3.

Group I: MCF 'B' bt CRMI 'A' 3-2, lost 2-3; Radio Club 'A' lost to CCI 'C' 2-3, won 3-1.

Group J: Catholic Gym bt PJ Hindu Gym 'A' 3-1, 3-2; Matoshri Arts&Sports bt Reynolds 'C' 3-1, lost 1-3.

Group K: JVP Gym bt Shivaji Park Gym 'A' 3-2, 3-0; MbPT SC 'C' lost to Radio Club 'B' 1-3, 1-3.

Group L: Reynolds 'A' lost to Garware Club House 'A' 2-3, 0-3; Wodehouse Gym bt CCI 'A' 3-2, lost 1-3.

Teams qualified for the Super League: Group A: 1. Islam Gym, 2. Spring Club; Group B: 1. Poona Club, 2. Matunga Gym; Group C: 1. Chembur Gym, 2. MbPT SC 'B'; Group D: 1. ECC 'B', 2. Dadar Parsee Gym 'A'; Group E: 1. CRMI 'B', 2. PYC Hindu Gym, Pune; Group F: 1. Bombay Gym 'B', 2. MIC CC; Group G: 1. Malabar Hill Club, 2. Khar Gym 'B'; Group H: 1. ECC 'A', 2. MCF 'A' or Parsee Gym; Group I: 1. CRMI 'A', 2. Bombay Gym 'C'; Group J: 1. Catholic Gym, 2. PJ Hindu Gym 'A'; Group K: 1. Khar Gym 'A', 2. JVP Gym; Group L: 1. CCI 'A', 2. Garware Club House.

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