J.R. Poste won two straight double hill matches to get into the hot seat of a Q City 9-Ball Tour stop on the weekend of July 30-31. Poste and B.J. Hucks ended up splitting the event's top two prizes, while, undefeated, Poste claimed the event title that drew 39 entrants to Breaktime Billiards in Wilmington, NC.
Poste's first double hill win of the final two came in a winners' side semifinal match against J.T. Ringgold, as Joe Blanton was busy defeating Andy Bowden in the other semifinal. Poste claimed the hot seat, double hill, over Blanton in what proved to be his last match.
Ringgold moved to the loss side, where he picked up Taz Holiday, who'd defeated Frank Owens (runner-up on the tour's last stop, July 23) 5-4, and Mickey Hucks (no relation to B.J.) 5-3. Bowden drew B.J., who'd gotten by Ed Leggett and Brandy Hodges, both 7-3.
Hucks, racing to 7, gave up only a single rack to Bowden, advancing to the quarterfinals. He was joined by Ringgold, who'd eliminated Holiday 9-4. With Ringgold racing to 9, Hucks survived a double hill fight, winning it 7-7, and advancing to take on Blanton in the semifinals.
Hucks chalked up his last of the night, 7-2, over Blanton. He and Poste then opted out of the final, declared Poste the official winner, and split the top two prizes.
Tour director Herman Parker thanked the ownership and staff at Breaktime Billiards, as well as title sponsor Viking Cues, and Delta-13 racks. The next stop on the Q City 9-Ball Tour, scheduled for August 6-7, will be hosted by Brown's Billiards in Raleigh, NC.
