Cliff Lazarenko believes he has the momentum to push for glory during the second half of the Betfred.com League of Legends after getting his campaign back on track in Batley.
The 56-year-old from Wellingborough boosted his chance of qualifying for finals night at the Circus Tavern, Purfleet on August 22 when he won 7-3 against Bobby George at the West Yorkshire venue last time out.
That made it two wins and two defeats for 'Big Cliff', who sits fifth in the table and poised to snatch a coveted top-four place if any of the rivals above him slip up.
Next opponent for the four-time World Championship semi-finalist when the event resumes in Reading this Friday is table-topper Dave Whitcombe, on whom Lazarenko is keen to inflict his first defeat of the competition.
"It's wide open now and I'm really looking forward to playing Dave in Reading," said Lazarenko, who had been refreshed during the three-week break before Batley by performing exhibitions on a cruise ship.
"I think it will be another fantastic match and another fabulous occasion for the spectators. But as well as that, we all want to be in the top four who qualify for the semi-finals.
"I'm determined to claim a spot for myself but I know how hard it will be against Dave. He played a great match in Batley against Bob Anderson, which finished 6-6, and a few of the other players watching it backstage predicted it would end in a draw."
Lazarenko's main rival at this stage for a place in the last four looks to be Peter Evison, who was also a winner two weeks ago when he recorded a crushing 7-1 success over John Lowe.
Evison faces Eric Bristow at the Rivermead Leisure Complex and would have every right to feel confident given that the 'Crafty Cockney' has won only seven legs in three matches since his opening win over George.
Victory for the 'Fen Tiger' and for Lazarenko would kill off any mathematical possibility of John Lowe staging a late recovery to grab a qualification place, with 'Old Stoneface' hoping to end a run of four consecutive losses when he meets 'Bobby Dazzler'.
The other match on the fifth night of action see a clash of the men in second and third places with Bob Anderson taking on Keith Deller.
by Jon Wilde 29/07/2008 BACK TO TOP ^ |
