Saturday, 11 December 2010

Mosconi Cup: Day 2

With USA taking the overnight lead, Europe had to perform in the second day. However it turned out to be just as close as day one with both teams providing great entertainment. The opening match of the night was the final match of day one, which was postponed, between Archer & Van Boening against the English duo Appleton & Boyes. The game had everything you could have expected with missed shots, inventive shots and everything in between. The game finished 6-3 to Appleton & Boyes but it could have been over sooner if Boyes hadn't have let nerves get the better of him to miss a nine ball. This win put Europe back level with USA at 2-2.

The second game saw Archer stay at the table as he took on Souquet, neither captain had started the tournament well with Souquet just about playing worse. This showed when Archer stormed into a 4-0 lead. But out of the blue Souquet found his potting cue and got back at Archer to lead 5-4, to Archer's amazement. But Souquet ran out of steam and Archer won the remaining two racks to take the game 6-5. Giving USA a 3-2 lead.

Darron Appleton was already looking for the MVP award with another stellar performance as he & Souquet took on Morris and Deuel. The Americans went 5-4 ahead and looked to be cruising to a 6-4 victory when a cut and run was on the cards. But Deuel badly overshot position which Morris failed to play safe and Europe levelled. With Europe breaking in the final rack Appleton potted three balls and Europe cleared to snatch the win 6-5. Again levelling overall 3-3.

The final match of the night for that crucial overnight lead saw Van Boening take on Van Den Berg. Van Den Berg was looking good and was having the luck on his side. But the score still went to 5-5 and the final rack saw Van Boening fluke a safe two which allowed him to make a 3-9 combination to seal the win 6-5 and give USA the overnight lead at 4-3.

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