Thaha bags third successive snooker title

By M. Shamil Amit

Irshath Thaha of Moors SC bagged his third successive snooker title when he emerged champion of the SLOCK Colombo District Open Snooker tournament with a four frames to one win over Mohamed Rikaz of Air Force SC who fell victim for the second time in the final at the Moors SC billiards table in Colombo.

Thaha was in top form right throughout the tournament and in the run up to the title win record wins against Bilal Sattar of MSC and T. Thanji of BRC in the quarter and semifinal encounters.

He made five half century breaks of 78, 53, 69, 83, 76 and a century break of 101 in the semifinal encounter against BRC’s Thanji.

Rikaz though having to play second fiddle defeated M.F.M. Fahim of MSC and M.M. Mubeen of Army SC and he too succeeded to chalk up four half century breaks of 62, 82, 88 and 59 which he achieved up to the quarter final encounters.

Results:
Quarter Finals - Mohamed Rikaz (Air Force SC) beat M.F.M. Fahim (MSC) 3-0 (66/28, 70/47, 98/0). M.M. Mubeen (Army SC) beat Susantha Wickrama (Army SC) 3-0 (57/45, 74/17, 70/63). T. Thanji (BRC) beat A.M.M.  Silmy (AAC) 3-0 (76/44, 67/30, 66/41). Irshath Thaha (MSC) beat Bilal Sattar (MSC) 3-0 (74.29, 74/25, 67/9).

Semi Finals - Mohamed Rikaz (Air Force SC) beat M.M. Mubeen (Army SC) 3-0 (64/27, 87/0, 63/31). Irshath Thaha (MSC) beat T. Thanji (BRC) 3-1 (82/54, 101/8, 65/75, 70/9).

Final - Irshath Thaha (MSC) beat Mohamed Rikaz (Air Force SC) 4-1 (58/48, 87/60, 50/57, 60/54, 56/29).