Teens stand tall on Day One

Pherwani,who picked up the cue only two years back and practices at the Khar Gymkhana,even enjoyed a 2-1 lead and at one stage was ahead in the contest.

Fourteen-year-old Mago was also playing his first-ever competition. The tiny sardar from Beacon High School,Khar picked up the cue just three months back in April but created quite a flutter when he snatched the tight third frame in a black ball finish to keep his hopes alive against another sardar,the experienced Manjeet Singh Bhomar of North Indian Association.

Attired in his school uniform,Mago was forced to play most of his shots on his toes but impressed with his style and enthusiasm. Bhomar finally won the match 3-1,while thriving on flukes right through.

Playing in only his second significant competition after the Bombay Gymkhana Strokes Invitational,15-year-old Chuganee of St Mary’s ICSE,Mazagaon lost 3-0 against young Abhinav Kripalu of CCI but not before impressive potting and positioning.

Results

1st Rd: Shailesh Nirmal (Bhusawal) bt Sparsh Pherwani (Khar Gym) 29-53,40-19,19-49,56-45,58-44; Sahil Khan (Islam Gym) bt Prakash Rajani (Khar Gym) 71-26,78-39,49-25; Anant Yelve (Jolly Gym) bt Sumit Saldurkar (MCF) 51-56,63-20,18-69,53-42,75-23; Abhinav Kripalu (CCI) bt Karan Chuganee (Bombay Gym) 57-9,63-34,52-39; Manjeet Singh Bhomar (North Indian Assn) bt Harmehr Mago (Khar Gym) 45-11,57-10,67-74,41-18; Rohan Shah (Surat) bt Sumit Sharma (Goregaon SC) 52-20,44-60,55-83,45-33,55-42; Nihar Chavan (MIG) bt Krunal Gosalia (Goregaon SC) 31-54,49-31,70-35,66-33.