European Billiard Pair Stun Morris and Strickland

European Billiard Pair Stun Morris and StricklandEuropean billiards duo Nick van den Berg and Imran Majid stunned the American pairing of Earl Strickland and Rodney Morris on Day Two of the 2006 PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup.The match ended 6-5 to bring the overall score back to 3-3 as Strickland and Morris suffered their first ever doubles defeat in the Mosconi Cup after six previous victories.Discuss the PartyPoker.com Mosconi Cup“It was a very close match, nip and tuck all the way and we had a couple of good breaks," said Majid.
"They had won six consecutive Mosconi Cup doubles matches – they were the best doubles pair in the world before me and Nick! We've got nothing to lose; we’re relaxed, playing our natural game and we shoot to kill."Strickland and Morris made a bright start by moving 2-0 ahead, the first coming after van den Berg had correctly been adjudged to have brushed the 8-ball with his cue while trying to make a swerve shot to hit the blue 2.At first glance the decision looked harsh but Sky Sports' Super Slo-motion camera showed the 8-ball had clearly moved and that eagle-eyed referee Michaela Tabb had been correct with her call.Europe registered the third rack and then had an early chance in the fourth as Morris scratched off the break to give the Europeans ball in hand.However, with the cue ball tight on the side rail, Majid missed a shot at the 9-ball before Strickland opted to play safe. Van den Berg tried an optimistic table-length bank shot but was unsuccessful and Morris stepped up to steal the rack for America.Europe comfortably ran through the fifth, but still trailed 3-2. They were presented a chance in the sixth rack as Strickland scratched while trying to play the 2-ball safe and Majid sunk a difficult 9-ball after van den Berg had slightly overhit his shot from 8 to 9.The Europeans had nothing to go for at the beginning of the seventh but three mistakes from Morris, when he missed the 1-ball, red 3, then hooked himself, put the Americans in trouble.Strickland tried a two-rail escape but fouled and Majid again held his nerve to pot the decisive ball for the second successive rack. A poor safety shot by van den Berg on the blue 2, followed by a fine shot from Strickland to pot the same ball, brought the score back to 4-4.Europe moved to the hill by taking the next but Majid played a misjudged effort on the red three and that enabled USA to win the rack with the score balanced at 5-5.There was no shot for the Europeans and van den Berg's push out left Strickland in trouble. He missed his next attempt and then slammed his cue on the table in frustration. As he walked back to the table he then shouted for someone in the crowd to 'shut up' after they had taunted him.That proved to be the American pair's last shot of the match as Europe cleared the rest of the table before van den Berg earnt another point for the hosts.Johan Ruijsink, Europe's Team Manager, was quietly pleased with his team’s performance in winning the Friday afternoon session 2-1.He said: “Actually this afternoon was in the planning – only the second match didn’t go plan. It was very important to keep the pressure on the USA. If it had gone 4-2 then 5-2, then the pressure’s off them and it becomes very tough for us. The way it’s going I think it will come down to Sunday night.”

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