First Double's Match Report....from Mosconicup.com
Doubles Decision Pays Off
MIKA Immonen’s decision to change his doubles pairings around paid dividends as a rejuvenated Alex Lely, partnered by the rock solid Niels Feijen, went past the American duo of Shawn Putnam and Charlie Williams to pull the deficit back to just one point on day three of the 2005 Mosconi Cup.
It was a must-win situation for Team Europe and Lely turned in an outstanding performance after looking shaky through the first two days.
Europe took the first rack after some tight safety play by Feijen and Lely allowed them to control the table.
Putnam, who is showing no visible nerves on his Mosconi Cup debut, put one of his monster breaks to good use as he spread the balls across the table leaving an easy run out which he and Williams completed.
Following Lely’s break shot in the next, Feijen was forced to play safe. Lely though, regained control of the table with a superb kick off two rails and although the Americans got back to the table, it was only to escape from safeties. Team Europe then completed the run out to go 2-1 into the lead.
The Americans ran out from the break and although there were a few awkward moments, Putnam and Williams held their nerve well to level it.
After the myriad errors from both teams yesterday, today was a sea change as all four players looked in stroke. The Europeans regained the lead in the next as they ran out from the break.
Team America took an age to work out their options following the break. Eventually, Williams messed up a safety and the Europeans potted the 1 but with the blue 2 tied up, a safety was called for.
It wasn’t the best so Putnam took it on and missed. The rack turned around for Team USA, though, when Alex Lely completely miscued on the brown seven, rolling the cue ball straight in to the pocket.
With ball in hand, Team USA won an unlikely rack to level things at 3-3.
Lely, though got his confident back in the next as he broke nicely and then with his partner, cleared the table to get to the hill.
The Americans got tied up on the 2 ball in what was to be the final rack of the match and Williams’ banked attempt narrowly missed. Unfortunately for him, it fell perfectly for Team Europe and from there the dynamic Dutch duo completed a morale-boosting victory.
"We played really good and we switched pairs because the doubles weren't working too good over the first two days, said Feijen.
"Alex was tactically better today and I'm a better shot maker so it worked well for us. We were worried after the miscue but we only needed two racks and that was awesome match to win,” he added.
prove solly right
5-4 USA wins. I need a GOOD drink now.
