Djorne makes it two in a row

TWENTY-two-year old Djorne Fong  won the 2009 BSP Men’s PNG Snooker Title on Sundayafter defeating his uncle and PNGBSA president Peter Fong 5-1 in the best of nine frames in front of a packed crowd at the Port Moresby Country club.
The younger Fong scored 54-20, 57-50, 62- 48, lost the fourth 24-65 then won the next two 53-41 and 70-12 to retain the champions tag for the second year in a row.
The second frame went down to the wire and a re-spot of the black was required after the Djorne potted the black to tie the scores. In the sixth frame, Djorne ended the show when he made the weekend’s highest break of 46 after which Peter conceded defeat at the start of colors with the score at 70-12.
“The scores really don’t tell how close the frames were as Uncle Peter really made me play hard to win the title,” Djorne said  after the match.
Djorne was top seeded after going through the round robin undefeated.
In the final 16, he defeated his dad Harry 3-0, beat Kelly Yambi 4-1 in the quarter-finals and outplayed fellow PNG representative Roger Ng 4-0 for a finals spot.
Peter Fong, meanwhile, went through some anxious moments.
The president started his finals campaign with a 3-0 win over his deputy Howard Lahari in the final 16; was pushed to the limit by Arua Simoi before winning 4-2, which went late into Saturday night after Simoi led 2-0 in the quarter finals, and defeated Vani Toka 4-2 in the semi-finals.
The B Grade minor title was won by Bob Keimelo when he defeated Kia Joseph a week earlier. Keimelo won the inaugural minor title in 2006.
“We are proud to be associated with this growing sport of snooker and with young Djorne winning, it is evident that more youngsters are taking up this sport seriously,” Aho Baliki BSP’s paramount banking general manager said at the presentation on Sunday evening. He said the Bank would continue to lend it’s support next year.
President Peter Fong acknowledged the overwhelming support by BSP for the past seven years.
“On behalf of everyone involved in snooker, I wish to thank BSP for their continued sponsorship of snooker,” Fong said.
Fong also thanked minor sponsors Imprint Copy Centre, NCS, Street Scene, R&P Signs, UMW Nuigini Ltd, Laga Industries, Theodist Ltd, and supporting sponsors Lamana Hotel, Port Moresby Electrical, Bestcars, Budget Real Estate, Tanpac (PNG) Ltd, Moni Plus, Boina Investment Corporation Ltd, Coca-Cola Amatil (PNG) Ltd, Plumbers & Builders Supplies, Moresby Betting Shop, Post PNG and Mobil.
“Thanks to the venues POMCC, Aviat and Clubs,” Fong concluded.