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The "McDermott Cue" New England Women's Tour (www.newomenstour.com)
held its first event of 2006 at
Corner Pocket Billiards (1428 Hartford Ave., Johnston, RI.) despite the
fact that a major
winter storm that dumped over 15 inches of snow on RI was on the way.
The
impending weather situation must have been an inspiration to Morgan
Steinman
who, after being sent to the one-loss side by Kathy Friend, came on
like a raging blizzard in the semi finals and final matches to take first
place. Steinman was the "McDermott Cue" NEW Tour's player of the year
for
2005, which entitles her to a spot on every WPBA event for 2006 and is
sponsored by RT9 Designs (www.rt9ny.com).
After sending Steinman to the one-loss side Kathy Friend played Sharon
Weis
in the hot seat match. Perhaps Friend was tired from the long day of
playing
or nervous about the impending storm, but she just couldn't seem to
close
anything out in hot seat match. In game 2 Weis broke but didn't pocket
a
ball. Friend sank every ball on the table but hung the 9 ball. Friend never got to the 9 ball again and Weis took the match 7-0.
Weis moved on to the final match against Morgan Steinman. The
tour is
a true double-elimination format which means Steinman would have to
beat
Weis in two races to seven. Steinman won the lag for the first set and
did
not allow Weis to even come to the table until game 4. Steinman made
successful combination shots on the 9 ball in games 1 and 3 and had a
break
and run in game 2. It wasn't until Steinman failed to pocket a ball on
the
break in game 4 that Weis was allowed to shoot for the first time. Weis
ran the first five balls but missed the 6 ball shot and Steinman ran
out for
a 4-0 lead. Weis put up a great fight despite the early deficit and
when
Steinman made it to the hill, Weis had five beads on the wire. In game
11
Steinman played a safety shot on the 2 ball. Weis was able to hit the
ball,
but the 3 ball popped off the table in the process. With ball in
hand Steinman won the first game of the set 7-5.
Steinman also won the lag for the second set. After a few safety shots
were
played Weis attempted a 6-9 combination shot but scratched in the
process.
Steinman took the lead 1-0. In game two a failed jump shot attempt on
Steinman's part opened the door for Weis to tie the match 1-1. At the
end
of game 4 the match was still tied at 2-2. Steinman won the next two
games
to bring the score to 4-2 in her favor. Steinman was unable to pocket a
ball
on her next break and Weis ran out. Weis also won the next game to
again
tie the match at 4-4. In game 9 Steinman again attempted a jump shot.
She
was able to hit her ball but not pocket it. Weis looked ready to run
out
but she scratched on the 5 ball and instead Steinman ran out to pull
ahead
5-4. Weis wasn't about to let Steinman run away and tied the match at
5-5.
Weis fought valiantly all match but in the end one snow plow could not
handle the blizzard and Steinman also took the second set 7-5.
Steinman will be playing at the BCA Open 9-Ball Championships held at
the
Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 14-20, 2006. Play
well,
Morgan!
Special thanks to Corner Pocket Billiards. The room was beautiful, the
tables played great, and the staff were great hosts.
Complete Results:
Morgan Steinman - 1st - $450 plus $500 WPBA entry fee.
Sharon Weis - 2nd - $270.
Kathy Friend - 3rd - $180.
Wendy Snow - 4th - $100.
5th/6th - Stephanie Mitchell and Caroline Pao
7th/8th - Gina Kim and Sherry Pouncey
9th/12th - Bonnie Saritelli, Ellen Van Buren, Carol Clark, Nicole
Mancini
13th - Susan Wilbur
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