Dan Simoneau, winner of two stops on the 2011 Lucasi New England 9-Ball Series, went undefeated to pick up his first 2012 tour win on Sunday, March 4. The $255-added event drew 19 entrants to Buster's Billiards in Somersworth, NH.
Simoneau had to get by Garry Columbie twice to capture the event title. He did it first among the winners' side final four with a 7-2 victory. Gil Stadig, in the meantime, defeated Steve Therrian 4-2. Simoneau moved into the hot seat with a 7-4 victory over Stadig, and awaited Columbie's return.
First up for Columbie on the loss side was Fred White, who'd survived two straight double hill matches, against Mike Nacolloro and Roger Morrison, to reach him. Therrian drew Will McDonald, who'd gotten by Derrick Lapenne 4-4 (Lapenne going to 6) and Stan Rupard, double hill. White didn't survive his third straight double hill match, and it was Columbie moving into the quarterfinals. He was joined by Therrian, who'd eliminated McDonald 7-2.
Columbie and Therrian locked up in a double hill battle in those quarterfinals that eventually advanced Columbie to the semifinals against Stadig. Columbie chalked up his third straight on the loss side with a 5-3 victory over Stadig, which gave him a second crack at Simoneau. Simoneau, though, proved to be stronger the second time around. He gave up two less racks in the finals than he'd given up in his first match against Columbie among the winners' side final four, completing his undefeated day with a 7-2 victory that secured the event title.
