GRUDGE MATCH

Only two turns were needed to complete the Danny Huneycutt v. Damon Bidencope semi-final, adjourned yesterday evening. Bidencope missed his ten-yard roquet attempt, and Huneycutt finished out his final three hoops to advance to the final. Huneycutt showed one of the qualities he is known for when his second stroke of the day—a twenty-five yard take-off—stopped about two inches from the boundary.

Thus the final was a rematch of the 2005 USCA International Rules Nationals final: Paul Scott v. Danny Huneycutt. As in their previous meeting, Scott controlled game one from the start. This time, however, Scott’s triple peel came undone at rover, where he mis-hit his Irish peel attempt, leaving striker ball with no shot at the hoop, and a trivial break pick-up for Huneycutt. Huneycutt made nine hoops and Scott missed the lift, but Huneycutt lost control of his second break, allowing Scott to finish +14.

Game two was even scrappier, including a bizarre error by Huneycutt, where he deliberately shot out next to Scott’s ball, mistaking it for his partner ball. Scott had one significant error, failing the first hoop on his second break. But he later regained control and finished out with two clean breaks to win game, match, and title.

Scott last won this tournament in 1995, back when it was the NC International Rules State Championship.

Andy Short won the Plate competition on +6 net wins, finishing with wins over Jeff Soo and Paul Emmett. This completed a clean sweep of the trophy positions by North Carolina players.

TOP FINISHERS

Full results to follow.