Taneja loses a thriller

June 9: Varun Taneja seems to have mastered the fine art of keeping men in tenterhooks. For the second day in running, the Delhi-based Taneja took his match to the wire, before finally losing by five points to Punjab’s Alok Kumar in the 3rd Alpic-Om Agrawal Billiards and Snooker Tournament at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) today.

In a thrilling Group C match, Taneja appeared to be heading for victory when he recorded a 114-break with just five minutes to go. He was trailing at that point, but the break helped him edge close to Kumar.

Taneja had the red at his mercy at the centre pocket and he should have controlled for position. But he opted for a cannon-cum-pot and lost position, much to Kumar’s relief. It turned out to be Taneja’s last visit and cost him his final chance to make the grade.

In a Group B match, England’s Roxton Chapman showed why he is world No 3 to India’s national champion Sonic Multani with a stupendous potting display to win 1043-299. Chapman had breaks of 152, 338 and 289 in his victory.