"Let's get ready to rumble" and rumbling may be an understatement for the 9-ball event held at Diamond Billiards in Lancaster, PA this past Sunday May 4th.
Fifty-seven players from four different states battled all day for the prestigious title of who was going to be the new undisputed tournament champion for the Northeast Players Tour. Over 100 matches were assigned throughout the event. Approximately forty percent of the matches went to the hill. The top 16 players received prize money and first place was $700.00 plus a tour trophy.
Talented players like Joe Cataldi, Shaun Wilkie, Gary Horner, Pat McNally, Dave Daya, Josh Brothers and many more came out for the one-day competition. But Sundays "King of the Hill" was Joe Long from Reading, PA. His relentless fight through 11 total matches showed he was up to the task. With one defeat in the third round to Billy "the kid" Kirschner, Joe Long was physically and mentally ready for the task at hand. Winning eight straight matches through the one loss side, his victories were against Raphael Saldana, Lonn Huston, Don Polo, Dave Daya, Bob Maidhof, Scott Haas, Shaun Wilkie and in the finals to Pat McNally.
Pat McNally from Scranton, PA won his bid for the finals by defeating: Coby Atkins, Bill McGuire, Lonn Huston, Billy Kirschner, Bob Maidhof and Shaun Wilkie. This set the stage for the two titans to rumble in the finals. The all day affair took its toll on Pat McNally. Only winning four games in a race to nine, McNally pocketed $500.00 plus a tour trophy for his second place efforts. In the early stages of the final, Joe Long took advantage of a few missed balls and presented a lead of 4-1. Joe Long never looked back or fell behind in the set. The final score of the match was 9-4.
Third place was Shaun Wilkie from Havre De Grace, MD and his efforts landed him $400.00. This type of organization and competition from the Northeast Players Tour is what the players deserve and can expect for the upcoming open 9-ball events. The next tour stop is in Allentown, PA at Boulevard Billiards on Sunday May 25th.
Again I would like to thank all the participants, the spectators and the staff at Diamond Billiards. Fantastic second event! See you soon in the tour for the "Best Time Ever"!
Complete Payouts:
1st Joe Long $700
2nd Pat McNally $500
3rd Shaun Wilkie $400
4th Scott Haas $300
5th/6th Bob Maidhof, Joe Cataldi $200
7th/8th Billy Kirschner, Dave Daya
9th/12th Bob De Turk, Don Polo, Ernie Lorelli, Gary Horner $100
13th/16th Greg Leflar, Jay Jones, Lonn Huston, Phil Sherman $60
