Susantha Boteju regained the national snooker crown yesterday when he defeated the reigning champion 21-year-old M.F.M. Fazil in a thrilling six frames to five final of the 65th National Snooker Championships concluded at the Moors Sports Club tables.
Boteju who held the title for 19 years lost to Fazil in last year’s championship but on this occasion was able to use his experience to overcome his much younger opponent.
The final which began at ten o’clock in the morning was played for seven frames and was halted for a break. At that point Susantha was in the front leading by 4 frames to 3. Fazil was in fine form during this session and outplayed Susantha in the second frame recording the highest points for a frame winning 96/12. Susantha fought back gallantly to win the next two comfortably to take the lead 4-3.
The second session began at 3.00 p.m. and continued only for two frames when the organizers decided to halt play leaving two frames to be played. Both players were not happy with the stoppage and their request to continue was accepted by the organizers who allowed them to continue.
The final two frames began with both cueists on very close terms at 5-4. Defending champion Fazil came back strongly to take the tenth frame to level at 5-all going into the decisive 11th and last frame.
Susantha the most experienced cueist using it to the maximum took full control of the frame in the early stage. He never let his opponent get closer to him at any stage and eventually won it 63/13 to clinch the National title for a 20th time.
Boteju was awarded the U.W. Sumathipala Trophy by chief guest Jagath Sumathipala.
Frame Results: 26 - 58, 96 -12, 64 73, 52 - 55, 07 - 69, 52 - 48, 64 -31, 54 - 50, 00 -73, 58 -55, 13 -63