Grech, Mifsud close in on last 16 berth

Maltese players experienced mixed fortunes on the opening day of the second World Billiards Championship, currently being played at the Dolmen Hotel Resort, Qawra.

After the triumph of Indian player Pankaj Advani in the 150 Up format championship on Wednesday eve-ning, the 32 participants yesterday began their quest for the world title in the time format. They were split into eight groups of four players each with the top two in each pool progressing to the Last 16.

Play from the round-robin groups consist of two sessions of 90 minutes each.

Paul Mifsud and Joe Grech closed in on a place in the knock-out stage after winning their opening two group matches. Mifsud beat Alan Puan of Singapore 1,255-467 and Belgium's Martin Spoormans 839-650. Grech, a semi-finalist in the 150 Up format, had the better of another Singapore player, Tommy Ang, 1092-462 and Roy Lattimer (Northern Ireland) 1,834-521.

Alex Borg also launched his campaign with a victory over Grant Hayward of New Zealand, 808-433, but then he lost to Ireland's Larry Drennan 782-699.

Frans Mintoff lost to Geeth Sethi of India 1,885-412 and England's Mark Boyle 861-486. Pullu Grech was also on the wrong end of a 703-467 defeat to Northern Ireland's John McIntyre. Duncan Bezzina suffered defeats to England's Martin Goodwill, 1,283-419, and Matthew Bolton (Australia) 1,421-542.