Left: Mark Yeo, Right: Danny Wong
SIBU: Hot favourite Mark Yeo and the evergreen Danny Wong both underlined their title credentials as they fought their way to qualify for the final of the Sarawak Closed Central Region Snooker Championship.
Mark, former Sibu Open champion and representing Executive 3 Snooker Centre, had to dig deep before overcoming a stubborn Sim Hong Hui 4-3 in an exciting and thrilling encounter.
Meanwhile, the indomitable Danny, also representing Executive 3 Snooker Centre, held off a strong challenge from underdog Jee Chau Hui before wrapping up the match at 4-2 (9-63, 56-16, 68-28, 67-25, 45-54, 55-51).
“Hopefully, I will be able to play better and play to my true ability in the final showdown with Danny,” Mark said after making the final by a whisker.
Mark fired the first salvo and took an early lead at nine points before Sim gained ground, bagging 18 points in a row to lead with 42-10 points.
Trailing by 32 points, Mark resorted to playing a tactical game and it paid off at one stage when he managed to collect seven foul points to narrow the gap to 32-52.
Mark continued to glitter but with three colored balls remaining and the points standing at 47-52, he was hit hard by misfortune.
After potting a difficult blue ball, the cue ball somehow ended up in the wrong pocket, hence handling five foul points to Sim.
Sim stepped up to clear the blue and pink balls to win the frame at 68-47.
Mark started the second game strongly and immediately went into an attacking mode.
He made a break of 15 points and 13 points at one stage and surged to a commanding lead of 49-14.
Sim tried hard but found it difficult to break the rhythm before surrendering the frame at 14-55.
In the third frame, Mark again rallied to an early lead before Sim recovered to level the score at 16 points each.
Sharpshooter Mark made a break of 28 points to edge ahead at 44-22.
With the points at 60-38, the chance fell upon Mark to clear the remaining three balls.
Again, Mark was hit by misfortune and after potting the blue ball, the cue ball ball ended up in the pocket as well.
Sim took over and cleared the table to win the frame at 61-60.
Mark refused to throw in the towel and showcased his sharp form to take the fourth frame at 54-21 but the ding-dong battle continued when Sim retook the lead to win the fifth frame at 68-30.
Mark came back from the brink of defeat to take the sixth frame at 78-43 before he secured victory by taking the deciding frame at 75-47.