Hong Holds On For The Win After Leblanc Comeback

Jul 10, 2014

On Cue Billiards - 8th July 2014
Season 1 - Week 3
It was a tale of two newcomers this week at On Cue as Bill Hong and Roland Leblanc battled it out in a tense, enthralling final with Hong rallying late on to take home the cash and claim victory.
Bill Hong
With a strong field of players on show it was unclear as to who would prevail from the outset. Hong had a strong start, winning his opening encounter against David Yau only to run into a determined Ryan Kasperowitsch in the next round. At 1-0, Kasperowitsch was en-route to a run-out and with it victory in the second frame only to hook himself with just a few balls left. A majestic jump shot saved the day along with superb shape. However, it was followed by an uncharacteristic miss leaving Hong to clear up. Hong took the decider and with it the match, leaving Kasperowitsch reeling after such a perfectly executed shot that should have sealed victory.
Roland 'Big Break' Leblanc had a slow start to the night losing his first two match-ups. In any ordinary double-elimination tournament his night would have been over but with Hill Hill Pool, first round losers get at least two matches on the B-side. On the brink of elimination Leblanc's form improved immensely as the night went on winning 8 out of the next 10 frames to storm through the B-side including a 2-0 victory in the first race of the final against Hong.
Roland "Big Break" Leblanc
The deciding race to two was a tense affair. A chess match in the opening frame saw some brilliant safety play from both only for the hard work to be undone by a Leblanc miss which cannoned Hong's remaining balls into potable positions for the steal. Hong took the next frame for victory to put an end to a remarkable comeback.
David Yau
A great show from the two newcomers as well as the ever consistent Ryan Kasperowitsch saw the top three finish as follows:
1. Bill Hong
2. Roland Leblanc
3. Ryan Kasperowitsch
Hill Hill Pool's 8-ball singles tournament is held every Tuesday at On Cue Billiards (349 Jane Street) starting at 7:30pm. For more details check out facebook.com/hillhillpool or email info@hillhillpool.ca.
Photos: Marko Moudrak / Rob Newsome