Desouza ends snooker king Patel’s reign
But on Wednesday night in Rajani Supplies Championship finals, Inacio Desouza beat Patel 2-1.
The loss marked a rare break of Patel’s dominance of BSC snooker championship in his 12-year career.
It is not like luck that deserted Patel befriended Desouza on this quiet Wednesday night.
The new champion used insight he gained from many years of being Patel’s partner. He smashes shots into the holes with ruthless precision; hence goes for the jugular.
Desouza knew he had to be patient and the more he was, Patel was forced into playing in his opponent’s hands. Thus slowing his game as he struggled for better angles to hit the shots.
With either of them sharing a win in the first two rounds, Patel eventually grew more frustrated with the composure of his tactful opponent, who despite earlier trailing by seven points, eventually smashed his way to the third round win.
It was game over. Handshakes rained on him as several players present, who thought Patel’s latest triumph was just a matter of time, could not believe their eyes watching Desouza getting the winners trophy from guest of honour, Malawi National Council of Sports administration manager Henry Mereka.
“I did not bring my A game today. I gave away a lot of my points. My concentration was not high. He was just hiding the balls too much,” said Patel after this quarterly final, having won the first sponsored by the Sports Council in February.
Competition convener, Bashir Shariff, sponsor Paresh Tanna described the night as nerve-shredding while Mereka admitted that, while following the action, “I nearly kicked the table trying to direct the ball [for Desouza].” Noran Walimohammed got the third place trophy. There were no cash prizes.
