Ahmad Taufiq Murni poses for a photo after winning the first leg of the National 9-Ball Ranking Challenge at the Fullcan Pool and Snooker Centre in Beribi yesterday. Picture: Courtesy of Pg Md Faiq Hafizuddin Pg Hj Jalaludin
AHMAD Taufiq Murni clinched the first leg of the National 9-Ball Ranking Challenge after defeating Md Khalid Hj Abu Bakar 7-3 in the final yesterday.
Taufiq had started out the day edging Md Azim Hj Abu Bakar for a 7-6 victory at the Fullcan Pool and Snooker Centre in Beribi. He advanced into the quarter-finals after defeating Ak Md Saiful Azri Pg Roslee 7-4 in the second match. The 27-year-old continued his good form with a 7-2 win over Teo Chee Soon and advanced into the title decider after dispatching Pg Md Faiq Hafizuddin Pg Hj Jalaludin 7-1 in the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Md Khalid started out his campaign with a 7-1 triumph over Md Azri Suhardi Hj Md Suni. He progressed into the last-eight after beating Faizzal Daud 7-3. He made it three consecutive wins after sweeping aside Md Azri Suhardi again 7-0 before defeating Md Haiqal Qarin Hj Haironi Hamizin 7-3 to set up the final encounter. Organised by the Brunei Darussalam Cue Sports Association (BCSA), the competition will be contested over eight legs from April to August.
Taufiq lead the standings with 90 points followed by Md Khalid with 76 points. Pg Md Faiq is in third with 65 points while Md Haikal is 10 points back. Teo complete the top-five of the table with 45 points to his name.
The top 16 players after eight legs will vie for top honours in the grand finals to be contested from Oct 29-30 at the Billiards and Snooker Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Berakas.
The second leg is scheduled for next month.
