Otters A capture crown

MUMBAI, Nov 1: Otters club A demonstrated their OVERALL STRENGTH IN NO uncertain terms, while defeating The Leela 3-1 in the Rs 62,500 Royal...

MUMBAI, Nov 1: Otters club A demonstrated their OVERALL STRENGTH IN NO uncertain terms, while defeating The Leela 3-1 in the Rs 62,500 Royal Palms handicap team squash tournament, organised by the Indian Squash Professionals, on Sunday.The heavy handicap they had to carry proved no deterrent on the star players in their midst. Manish Choitrani, currently rated as India8217;s number one, for instance, gave Saket Wali, one of the leading youngsters, 10 points and a beating in the opening match.Karanpal Sethi, an under-12, also pitched in by defeating Amit who had an eight-point advantage. Professional Santosh More recorded the other victory for Otters.

He beat Subhash Wali who began each game at 10-love.Players like Manish Choitrani can be beaten only if given a handicap of 14 points, opined one player. The Leela were handicapped by the absence of Deepali Anvekar who was preoccupied with examinations. Their move to hold back Chandrakant Pawar, one of the top pros and a tremendous fighter, for the fifth and finalmatch was in vain as Otters clinched the issue by the fourth match.The triumph enabled Otters A to bag the top prize of Rs 25,000. They picked up another Rs 10,000 through Otters B even though, contrary to expections, Otters B lost to recent entrants Willingdon Catholic Gymkhana in the match to decide third place.In a close encounter Willingdon prevailed 3-2, Sanjay Goel winning a key match against Vijay Sonawane who had a six-point advantagge.

Rajesh Sonawane plus six scored a fine victory over Niraj Shirgaokar and Sudesh Malik clinched the decider.Result of final: Otters Club A beat The Leela 3-1: Manish Choitrani bt Saket Wali plus 10 10-15, 15-10, 10-15, 17-16, 15-13; Karanpal Sethi bt Amit plus 8 9-15, 15-9, 15-10, 15-12; Cyrush Poncha lost to Sunil Verma plus 11 8-15, 15-11, 13-15, 15-12, 10-15; Santosh More bt Subhash Wali plus 10 10-15, 15-10, 15-13, 13-15, 17-14.Third place: Wilingdon Catholic Gymkhana bt Otters Club B 3-2: Rajesh Sonawane plus 6 bt Niraj Shirgaonkar 8-15, 15-9,15-11, 10-15, 15-8; Bipin Batra plus 8 lost to Abhijit Kukreja 10-15, 15-11, 15-4, 14-15, 16-17; Sanjay Goyal plus 6 bt Vijay Sonawane 9-15, 15-10, 15-10, 10-15, 15-14; Rakshak Malhotra plus 10 lost to Avinash Bhavnani 11-15, 15-11, 15-12, 11-15, 10-15; Sudesh Malik bt Vinay 9-15, 15-9, 15-11, 15-12.