 Mike Davis and Babineau's bartenders, (l-r), Sarah Williams, Abigail Reaves and Kari Bonham |
A record field turned out for the 13th stop on the Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour on June 23rd at Babineau's Billiards in Raleigh, NC.
The two strongest players in the room, B. J. Ussery and Mike Davis, were paired in the first round and provided quite a show for the spectators in attendance. Recently sidelined due to health problems, Ussery had not played in over two months. Although Ussery jumped out to a 4-1 lead, Davis capitalized on a failed safe with ball-in-hand. The match went hill-hill with Davis taking it (7-6).
Although Ussery went two and out – losing another hill-hill match to Tony Williams – he maintains a solid lead in Player of the Year points. As always, Player of the Year will earn free entry into the 2007 U.S. Open 9-Ball Championships.
After squeaking by Ussery, Davis made his way to the hot seat by defeating Peaches Fuller (7-3), T. J. Moore (7-4) and Sidney Champion (7-3).
Meanwhile, Fuller took a much longer route to the championship match. Before losing to Davis (7-3) on the undefeated side, Fuller posted wins over Ben Manning (7-3) and David Fulcher (7-0). Fuller would earn a rematch with Davis, however, after mowing down Steve Dye (7-3), Paul Mullins (7-1), Buddy Fisher (7-5), Bernie Kirby (7-3) and Sidney Champion (7-5).
The championship match played out in similar fashion to the first meeting between Davis and Fuller. Winning the lag, Fuller came up dry on the first break. Davis ran out, including a jump shot to pocket the 3-ball. A break-and-run plus a 9-ball on the break gave Davis a 3-0 lead.
In the next three games, each player managed to capitalize on the other's mistakes. Fuller was back in it, down 4-2.
The seventh and eighth racks proved to be safe battles. Davis won both and extended his lead to 6-2.
Fuller won the next game, but it would be his last. Davis won the last three games, finishing in style with a break-and-run (9-3).
Winning the Big Time Break Contest was Steve Dye who pocketed $170 for his efforts. Also, Michael Fuller (Peaches' son) snapped off the Ten Dollar Ten-Ball Challenge and took $170 as well.
Many thanks to Paul and Cindy Babineau as well as their great staff for their hospitality.
The next stop on the Jacoby Custom Cues Carolina Tour will be July 21 at Sharks-N-Shooters in Rocky Mount, NC.
