A most intriguing match in the Big Apple Nine Ball Challenge last month was when Mika Immonen played Charlie "Hillbilly" Bryant. For those who weren't there and didn't read the recap I posted the day of that match, which was Saturday August 7, 2004:
8/7/04 Big Apple 9-Ball Challenge: Mika Immonen vs Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant
This was a well-played seesaw affair up to 5 – 4, when a crucial moment popped up. The eight had been combod earlier in the rack, only the six, seven and nine remained. Immonen missed shape on the seven and had to bank it into the side. Though he missed it, he left Hillbilly frozen to the bottom rail with a nearly-but-not-quite-straight shot on the seven into the top corner, but no realistic path to the nine, which lay frozen to the bottom rail on diamond one on the opposite side of the table. As the only chance for shape off the seven in the corner would be to follow to the top rail all the way back to the short side of the nine, it seemed the Hillbilly was considering the two-way bank across the table or the straight safety. He decided to go for the short-side shape and slammed the seven in and followed about thirteen feet back to the short side of the nine to set up the win for 5 – 5. The next critical moment came at 7 – 5, favor of the Hillbilly. Immonen played a solid safety leaving Hillbilly on the bottom rail with the two ball nine feet away on the top rail. No easy safety was available, so Hillbilly opted for the long bank, and split the pocket in half and ran out to go 8 -5 ahead. After that, Mika appeared to be through with the Hillbilly up 10 – 7 and in the process of running out. Hillbilly missed shape on the four, and had to play a supertough shot. He failed to execute it but crapped in the nine for the 11 – 7 win. Hillbilly clearly outplayed Mika in this one.
Well, now Mika gets his chance for revenge , as he and the Hillbilly will hook up in the third round of the winner's bracket in Chesapeake. Wish I were there. If you are one of the lucky ones that is, this could be a really good one. I don't think Mika cared as much for Charlie's shtick as the fans did.
Predictions on this match, anyone? I reckon Hillbilly's got a serious shot if the good lord's willing and the creek don't rise.
8/7/04 Big Apple 9-Ball Challenge: Mika Immonen vs Charlie “Hillbilly” Bryant
This was a well-played seesaw affair up to 5 – 4, when a crucial moment popped up. The eight had been combod earlier in the rack, only the six, seven and nine remained. Immonen missed shape on the seven and had to bank it into the side. Though he missed it, he left Hillbilly frozen to the bottom rail with a nearly-but-not-quite-straight shot on the seven into the top corner, but no realistic path to the nine, which lay frozen to the bottom rail on diamond one on the opposite side of the table. As the only chance for shape off the seven in the corner would be to follow to the top rail all the way back to the short side of the nine, it seemed the Hillbilly was considering the two-way bank across the table or the straight safety. He decided to go for the short-side shape and slammed the seven in and followed about thirteen feet back to the short side of the nine to set up the win for 5 – 5. The next critical moment came at 7 – 5, favor of the Hillbilly. Immonen played a solid safety leaving Hillbilly on the bottom rail with the two ball nine feet away on the top rail. No easy safety was available, so Hillbilly opted for the long bank, and split the pocket in half and ran out to go 8 -5 ahead. After that, Mika appeared to be through with the Hillbilly up 10 – 7 and in the process of running out. Hillbilly missed shape on the four, and had to play a supertough shot. He failed to execute it but crapped in the nine for the 11 – 7 win. Hillbilly clearly outplayed Mika in this one.
Well, now Mika gets his chance for revenge , as he and the Hillbilly will hook up in the third round of the winner's bracket in Chesapeake. Wish I were there. If you are one of the lucky ones that is, this could be a really good one. I don't think Mika cared as much for Charlie's shtick as the fans did.
Predictions on this match, anyone? I reckon Hillbilly's got a serious shot if the good lord's willing and the creek don't rise.
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