India assured of Gold and Silver in English Billiard

Doha, Dec 5 (UNI) Ashok Shandilya and former World Champion Pankaj Advani dazzled on the green baize and recorded fluent wins over Peter Ghilchrist and San Oo Aung respectively to set up a title clash in English Billiard -- thus assuring India of both the Gold and Silver in this cue event at the Asian Games here today.

In the men's snooker section, the Indian team of Aditya Mehta, Yasin Merchant and Rupesh Shah got walk over from Singapore and moved into the pre-quarter finals.

In the English Billiard, played according to point format, Shandilya blanked former world champion Gilchrist who is representing Singapore in this Games.

Gilchrist, originally from England, has settled down in Singapore and was considered a potential threat to the Indian. But he was totally off-colour today and Shandilya had no difficulty in beating him in straight frames.

The 38-year-old Gilchrist put up a spirited fight in the first frame but after losing that 80-100, he virtually threw in the towel.

Shandilya was in his elements as he cued perfectly and won the next two frames 101-33, 100-22 to reduce the semifinal to a virtual no contest.

On the other hand, Pankaj Advani lost the opening frame to Mayanmar's Aung but then rallied superbly to send his rival packing.

The Indian champion lost the first frame narrowly by margin of five points (95-100) but then displayed a fluent game on the green baize in the next three frames to leave Aung bewildered.

The Bangalore-based cueist won the next three frames with utmost ease 100-19, 100-20, 100-3 to ensure that title clash will be an all-India affair.

''I am very happy that both the Gold and Silver will go to India,'' a jubilant Shandilya said after his win.

''It is a great feeling to compete against your own countrymen in the final of such level of competition because whatever is the result, India will be the winner,'' he addedd.

UNI HSB AY PM1524