Thaha completes hat trick of titles

69th National Billiards Championship

Twenty-two-year-old Thaha Irshath beat Susantha Wickrama of the Army BC 670 points to 591 in the final to claim his third consecutive national billiard title at the Automobile Association of Ceylon billiards table in Colombo.

The defending champion took a lead of 250 points at the end of the first session to give a clear indication as to who was the favourite at the 69th National Billiards Championship.

When the proceedings recommenced, he made breaks of 51, 56 and 50 while Susantha succeeded with two half century breaks of 7- and 52 but was unable to overtake Thaha.

Thaha has been in top form during the last couple of years. He was among the top contenders to the title ever since he became the youngest ever cueist to bag a national title at the age of nineteen.

Earlier Thaha beat K.A. Kelum of Army BC in the quarter final and before taking the better of his club mate Abdul Sattar in the semifinal.

The championship conducted by the Billiards and Snooker Association was sponsored by Automobile Association of Ceylon.

Results:

Quarter Finals:

Thaha Irshath (MSC) beat K.A. Kelum (Army BC) 676/397. Abdul Sattar (MSC) beat H.A.M. Rimzan (Shooters BC) 309/306. Susantha Wickrama (Army BC) beat S.S. Dinuruwan (Army BC) 382/333. Priyantha Samarakoon (Army BC) beat M.J.A. Thasleem (MSC) 368/288.

Semi Finals:

Thaha Irshath (MSC) beat Abdul Sattar (MSC) 624/329. Susantha Wickrama (Army BC) beat Priyantha Samarakoon (Army BC) 360/324.

Final:

Thaha Irshath (MSC) beat Susantha Wickrama (Army BC) 670/591.