As the 2008 Season winds down for the NWPA and the race for the top rankings gets tighter, it's the regular players that can't afford to miss a stop and keep an eye on the matches at tables next to them. This is how it was at Jack's Billiards in Lynnwood, WA on September 20th and 21st as tour stop #6 was held. With only one stop remaining, things are getting interesting.
The owners, Randy and Junko did their normal great job as hosts and made sure all the players were in need of nothing. Since both are top players in their own right, they know what it is like to be a player in a high end tournament. As we wound up on Saturday, a new aspect to Jack's was seen, it seems that live music is now part of their lineup. The band was great and played all night, so next time you're in the neighborhood, stop by and check it out.
But we were still back on Sunday morning to crown the next winner (poor Randy on four hours sleep). The A side semifinals had Liz Cole taking Jo Woodward 7-3 and Cindy Sliva over Jessica Orth 7-5. Jessica had beaten Kit Dennis in the first round then had to face her again as Kit fought her way through the B side and this time, despite holding a 5-0 lead, lost 7-5. Kit then faced Linda Carter, who was the comeback kid Saturday by overcoming deficits of 2-6, 0-4, and 0-5 before falling to Cindy. But there were no more comebacks and Kit won 7-3. She then faced Cindy, who having lost a hill – hill battle to Liz for the point, fought back to the finals by winning 7-5. The rematch was a close affair, but Cindy could never get on top and Liz pulled away at the end to win 9-6.
This will give Liz Cole a strong but not insurmountable lead heading into the last tour stop at The Parlor in Bellevue on October 11th and 12th. This is also a WPBA qualifier and our year end banquet so the field is sure to be deep and strong. All players and spectators are encouraged to attend the banquet, just sign up your name at NWPAtour.com and we'll see you there.
