Kolkata/IBNS: 'Formidables' from Delhi represented by Rajeshwar Tewari, Sumit Mukherjee, Kaustabh Nandi, Sagnik Roy, Sayantan Kushari and Sagnik Bendre justified their name and proved their mettle  as they sailed into the final  drubbing  local  challengers 'Pradeep' in the   penultimate round of the team event  in the 6th  All India Shree Cement Bridge Championship  at  Biswa Bangla Conventin centre in New Town here Saturday.

In the four - round semi final , 'Formidables'   forced a huge and unassailable  lead of 104- 38 International Match Points (IMPs) after the conclusion of third round.

In the title clash to be held tomorrow.'Formidables' will meet the winners of the second semi final between 'Mavericks' and 'Shree Cement' .

At the end of the third round in  the second  semi final  'Mavericks ', also from Delhi and consisted of  Keyzad Anklesaria, Debabrata Majumdar, Jaggy Shivdasani, Sandeep Thukral, all of whom have played for the country and Subodh Maskara and Aniruddha Bhattacharjee, are leading  84- 64.33 (IMPs) against strong contenders and another city outfit 'Shree Cement '.

Earlier 'Formidables ' who were placed 11th after the eight-round Swiss league, drubbed 'Arun Jain ' 91- 42 in the pre- quarterfinals and  defeated league leader 'R1S5', who failed to repeat their earlier performance and succumbed to much stronger rivals, a number of whom represented the country in international events, 36.5-82 IMPs at the last eight stage.

On the other hand 'Mavericks', who finished 6th in the league stage had to go  all out to beat a fighting  'Hemant Jalan' by  just 1.5 IMPs (71.5 -70) in the pre -quarter finals.

But they improved their performance in the quarterfinals where they outplayed other local challengers 'Bappa'  92 - 44 (IMPs)  comfortably .

'Pradeep' and 'Shree Cement ' in the quarter finals defeated 'Akanksha'  and  'Magnum'  by  65-51 IMPs and 71.66 - 50 IMps respectively.

The fourth round  of the semi finals will be held later tonight.

Meanwhile 141 duos are participating in the qualifying rounds of the Pairs event on Saturday. 52 pairs would qualify for the final round on Sunday.