Jamie Forcier got by Bill Gallagher twice, once in the hot seat and again in the finals, to win the February 24 stop on the J. Pechauer Ride the 9 Tour. The event, with a $25 pre-pay entry fee, drew 31 entrants to Bo's Billiards in Warwick, RI.
Forcier faced Steve Sutton among the winners' side final four, giving up only a single rack to him, to move into the hot seat match. He was met by Gallagher, who'd survived a double hill battle against Bill Gormley. For a second straight time, Forcier gave up only a single rack, and this time, it left him in the hot seat, awaiting Gallagher's return.
Gormley and Sutton moved west, where they picked up Steve Marotto and Ty Speedwell, respectively. Marotto, who'd won six straight on the winners' side before being sent west, had defeated Joe Kalunas 5-2 and Dev Bhattacharya 5-2. Speedwell had gotten by Rich Ferrell, double hill, and Kevin Bauccio 5-1. Marotto then defeated Gormley 5-2, as Sutton downed Speedwell 4-4 (Speedwell racing to 6).
Marotto's loss-side campaign proved shorter than his winners' side work, as his two-match streak ended in the quarterfinals with a 4-1 victory by Sutton. Sutton then put up a double hill fight against Gallagher in the semifinals, though Gallagher prevailed for a re-match versus Forcier.
For the third straight match, Forcier gave up only a single rack. This one, in the finals against Gallagher, earned him the event title.
