Jana Montour and Kim Jones have been trading alternate victories on the Northwest Women's Pool Association Tour since March. On the tour's fifth stop, on the weekend of August 11-12, with their victories even at two apiece, it was Montour's turn to win it, and she did, defeating Kimberly Kirk twice - once in the hot seat match and again in the finals - to complete an undefeated weekend. The $750-added event drew 31 entrants to Parlor Billiards in Bellevue, WA.
Montour started strong, giving up only two racks in her first three matches; none versus Fran Johnson and one each versus Jenny Lucas and Alicia Kvasnicka. This set her up among the winners' side final four, facing Liz Cole (going into the event, ranked at # 3 on the tour, directly behind Montour and Jones). Suzanne Smith (# 6), in the meantime, who'd defeated Elaine Eberly 7-3, Tamre Rogers 7-4 and sent Kim Jones west 7-5, squared off against Kirk.
Montour advanced to the winners' side finals with a 7-4 victory over Cole, as Kirk sent Smith packing 7-5. Montour then downed Kirk 7-4, and sat in the hot seat, awaiting her return.
Kim Jones, at work on the loss side, was looking to come back for a third finals battle against Montour in the current season. She began that journey with a 6-2 victory over Denice White, and followed it with a 6-3 victory over Val Franiel. This set Jones up to face Cole. Smith drew Shelby Locati (# 7 in tour rankings), who'd gotten by Mary Hopkin 6-2 and Tamre Rogers 6-3.
Jones and Cole battled to double hill before Jones prevailed to advance to the quarterfinals. She was joined by Locati, who'd ended Rogers' day 6-3. Locati ended Jones' bid to meet Montour again in the finals by the same 6-3 score. It was a day for 6-3 scores, as Kirk downed Locati by that same score in the semifinals.
A win for Kirk would have elevated her from 17th place in the tour rankings into a tie for fifth place with Suzanne Smith. It was not to be. Montour chalked up the event title with a 9-6 victory, solidifying her top spot in the rankings. Kirk moved among the top ten, settling in at # 7.
