It is the traditional opening of the Joss Tour season, the annual Maine Event, and for the past four years, including this recently passed weekend of October 4-5 (Maine Event VIII), it has been won by a homegrown competitor, Mike Dechaine. Dechaine grew up in Waterville, Maine and enjoys coming home to compete in this event annually. The $1,500-added main event drew 40 entrants to TJ's Classic Billiards in Waterville, while a $500-added Second Chance tournament, won by Sam Monroe, drew 23 entrants.
For the fourth year in a row, Dechaine found himself among the winners' side final four; this year, to face Ashley Nowlan. Mike Henderson, in the meantime, squared off against Kyle Pepin. Dechaine got into the hot seat match 9-3 over Nolan and faced Henderson, who'd sent Pepin to the loss side 9-6. Dechaine defeated Henderson 9-4 and waited on what turned out to be the return of Joe Darigis, who'd win seven on the loss side to meet Dechaine in the finals.
Darigis had been sent west by Pepin in the second round, and after four wins on the loss side, including a 9-3 win over Joey Dupuis and a shutout of Cody Francis, Darigis got his re-match, when Pepin came over from the winners' side semifinal. Nowlan drew Dave Dreidel, who'd gotten by Roger Barriere 9-4 and Clyde Matta 9-6.
Darigis eliminated Pepin in their re-match 9-6 and faced Nowlan, who'd finished Dreidel's run 9-4. Darigis then took care of Nowlan in the quarterfinal match 9-3. He and Henderson locked up in a double hill semifinal, before Darigis prevailed to get his shot at Dechaine. Dechaine, though, completed his fourth straight Maine Event run with a 9-5 victory in the finals.
The $500-added Second Chance event saw Sam Monroe go undefeated, getting by Stephan Doiron twice; in the hot seat match and again, in the finals, 3-1. Doiron had moved to the semifinals and shut out Rob Sakell, who had just eliminated Brandon Belding in the quarterfinals.
Art Thibodeau was the winner of the $1,275, custom-engraved Joss Cue in the event's raffle. Stop # 2 on the Joss Tour, scheduled for October 18-19, will be hosted by Sharpshooter's Billiards and Sports Pub in Amsterdam, NY.
Tour director Mike Zuglan reminded potential competitors that Turning Stone XXIII, scheduled for January 8-11 is fast approaching, and urged them to register early, since the event will, as always fill up quickly. Call Zuglan at 518-356-7163 for further information or with any questions.
