Miller derails Shea attempt for three straight on JPNEWT

Briana Miller came back from the semifinals of the JPNEWT stop on the weekend of August 13-14 to win a finals re-match against Tour Director Linda Shea, and prevent her from winning her third straight event on the tour. The $1,000-added event drew 19 entrants to Castle Billiards in East Rutherford, NJ.

It was the first time in the last three attempts that Shea faced the finals sitting in the hot seat. She'd defeated Kia Sidbury 7-2 this time out, as Miller was sending Kaori Ebe west 7-5. Shea moved into the hot seat with a 7-3 win and waited for Miller to come back.

Sidbury moved over to face Kathy Friend, who'd been sent over by Miller, from among the winners' side final eight, and then, defeated Naomi Fingerhut 7-2, and Judie Wilson 7-4 to reach her. Ebe drew Gail Glazebrook, who'd gotten by Pauline Mattes and Courtney Hall, both 7-5.

Friend moved a step closer to a re-match against Miller with a 7-1 victory over Sidbury. Ebe, in the meantime, got into the quarterfinals with a 7-3 victory over Glazebrook. Friends' one-loss side streak was stopped at three with a 7-3 win by Ebe. Miller promptly put an end to Ebe's two-game, one-loss side bid with a double hill win that set up her re-match against Shea.

Miller, who had placed second, twice on the 2011 tour, but had yet to chalk up a win, did so this time, defeating Shea 9-6 in the single, extended set final, and spoiling her bid for an undefeated, third straight win on the tour.