Vicki Paski.
Although I won 9-0, Vicki had some chances to make the match close early on, but things just went my way.
I felt I was cueing well and was happy with the way I played.
ROUND 2
BRAVEHEART ( Val Finnie)
Because there are a lot of WPBA players living in Charlotte, we decided to start a league (home and away). What a ladies league it is.
ALLISON FISHER
GERDA HOFSTATTER
KELLY FISHER
TIFFANY NELSON
VAL FINNIE
KRISTI CARTER
ME
I lost my first 4 matches. Twice to Alli and twice to The G-Force, so I was hoping to make a late run and try to finish 3rd.
A few weeks ago, Val and I had, so I thought, decided to play a match at home. I won 9-4, so I happily went to put my score on the board, at which point Val shouted "What are you doing? That was not a league match, it was only practice"
Let me tell you that it is pointless arguing the point with a native of Scotland, so, like an adult, I took it on the chin and went up to my room to sulk.
We decided to make this match in this comp a league match, so it would be a double victory.
It was a game of luck. Neither of us played well. In the early part of the match Val got a lot of luck. She even fluked a 9 ball, but as the match went on, the luck started to turn and in the end I won the match with a 3-9 combination.
It was very scrappy and I was happy to fall over the winning line 9-7.
ROUND 3
THE TEXAS TORNADO (Vivian Villarreal)
Every time I have played Viv, win or lose, I have really enjoyed it. This time however it was a bit scrappy, and I am the first to admit that she handed me a few games by missing crucial balls.
It didn't help that the 9 ball was going towards the pocket on almost every break. That can make the game a bit of a joke.
Anyway.
So it went back and forth and I found myself 8-7 up with an easy 8 and 9 ball to win the match.
I missed the 8 and Viv made it hill-hill with the break.
She broke, she made the 1 ball, the 9 ball went over the pocket and she won the match with a 2-9 combination.
So over to the one loss side I go.
LAST 32
THE G-FORCE. (Gerda Hofstatter)
I practice with Gerda at home in Charlotte and I know that for quite some time she hasn't shown us the real Gerda Hofstatter.
I was hitting the ball well and wanted us to have a good game.
Gerda went 3-0 up, then I pulled it back to 3-3. From then on she just seemed to race ahead. I missed some balls I shouldn't have and so did she, but she was a lot more consistent.
I know she has been struggling with her game, but she stepped up a touch in this match.
I don't think it will be long before vintage Hofstatter is back.
So that's it from me. Our next comp is The San Diego Classic. April 18-22.
Kim Shaw
www.kimshaw.com
