Mike Hancock had the good fortune to run into a forfeit victory in the finals of the February 20-21 stop on the Q City 9-Ball Tour. His potential opponent, Brian Bryant, had been defeated in the second round of play, and won nine straight matches on the loss side for the right to meet Hancock, but a family situation forced Bryant to leave and forfeit the final match. The event drew 48 entrants to Clubhouse Billiards in Lynchburg, VA.
With Bryant, long at work on the loss side, Hancock advanced to a winners' side semifinal match against Collin Hall. Matt Fiple, in the meantime, met up with Zach Hampton. Hancock defeated Hall 6-5, and in the hot seat match, faced Fiple, who'd sent Hampton to the west bracket 7-4. Hancock claimed the hot seat 6-4 over Fiple, in what would prove to be his last match.
Over on the loss side, Bryant was mowing 'em down, one by one. With four notches on his loss-side belt, he defeated Chuckie Brown 9-4 and Scott Largen 9-5 to draw Hall. Hampton picked up Danny Mastermaker, who'd downed his brother, Joey, 10-5 and defeated Beuford Lusk 10-4.
Bryant moved on to the quarterfinals with a 9-4 win over Hall. He was joined by Hampton, who'd ended Mastermaker's weekend 9-7. Bryant eliminated Hampton 9-6, and won what proved to be his last match 9-4, over Matt Fiple in the semifinals. His subsequent forfeit left the event title in Hancock's hands.
