Borg faces Kumar in group decider

The first from two world billiards championships got underway yesterday at the Dolmen Resort Hotel, Qawra.

After the two snooker events, the Mediterranean Cup and European Teams Tournament, organisers Malta Billiards and Snooker Association shifted focus to the three-ball game with the first competition, the 150 Up, starting yesterday. The traditional Time Format will be played between Thursday and Sunday.

There are 32 players taking part from various parts of the world including Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and India. Malta is represented by six players.

Alex Borg, who did so well in the snooker tournaments, winning both titles in singles and teams, is faced with a must-win situation in this morning's match against Alok Kumar, of India.

Borg beat Tommy Ang, of Singapore, 3-0 yesterday but lost his first match 3-2 to Englishman Phil Mumford, who leads with two wins. Kumar also beat Ang 3-0. The top two players from each of the eight qualifying groups advance to the knockout stage which starts this evening.

Almost out of contention are Duncan Bezzina and Pullu Grech who lost their opening two matches. Frans Mintoff lost to Ashok Shandilya 3-2. But in the evening session Joe Grech and veteran Paul Mifsud chalked up sound wins to start their group commitments on a sound footing.

In-form Joe Grech trounced Roy Lattimer (N. Ireland) 3-0 and Mifsud beat Larry Drennan (Ireland) 3-0 with the same scoreline.