Matlock Takes it to the Bank

Matlock Takes it to the BankBy Justyn Barnes, InsidePOOL StaffDavid Matlock came through a 409-strong field to win the 2005 Derby City Classic 9-ball Banks title tonight in Kentucky, beating local favorite John Brumback 3-2 in the final.The cue man from Kansas City took full advantage of the good fortune of receiving two successive byes to take his final spot and just edged a nervy match. Brumback, who had played his previous matches during the day on the TV table, didn’t reproduce the impressive form he showed in beating another Kentucky banker Truman Hogue 3-2 in a high-quality semifinal match. 2005 Derby City Banks Finals Image Gallery2005 Derby City Classic Image Gallery
Southpaw Matlock completed a five points to two victory in the first game with a simple bank on the 9, but Brumback came back strong to take the second 5-3. A scratch by Brumback put him on –1 early in the third rack, and he could never recover as Matlock closed out the game 5-0 with a neat two-rail reverse bank to the corner. Matlock looked in good shape to complete victory in the next game, when he swished in a cross-bank to the side pocket but faltered with the finishing line in sight. Both players squandered chances, but ultimately the balls fell kindly for Brumback who was left with a routine 4-ball cross bank to the corner to take the game 5-3.Brumback came up dry on the break in the decider, and Matlock stepped in to make three in a row. Unexpectedly, he failed to make a relatively simple 7 crossed to the corner. on his next inning, he made the 8 to stand on the brink of victory. Incredibly, though, attempting a straight-back 7 ball to the corner, he failed to get his cue stick out of the way, costing him a ball. Clearly nervous, Matlock continued to make unforced errors, but Brumback couldn’t regain his stroke. With the score at 4-1, Brumback made his last mistake, and Matlock rolled in a cross bank to the corner to take the championship .A memorable day for Matlock was completed when he received his prize by legendary Chicago banker Bugs Rucker. Third-round matches in the one-pocket competition are underway and the 9-ball event begins on Wednesday. Johnny Archer, Mika Immonen, Ralf Souquet, Thorsten Hohmann, and Marcus Chamat are all poised to make their marks in this division.Visit InsidePOOL for the latest on the Derby City Classic.2005 Derby City Classic Image GalleryPhoto by JR Calvert InsidePOOL, courtesy BCn

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