Moore and Bustamante Square off in Fatboy

Action in the 14.1 Challenge and the Fatboy Challenge at the Derby City Classic continued at the Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, IN. The Derby City Classic event attracts the top pool players from around the world with the 14.1 Challenge and Fatboy Challenge giving these players a chance to display their skills in disciplines that are not included in the main event.

In Friday’s action in the 14.1 Challenge, Darren Appleton squared off against Niels Fiejen in a first round. The back and forth battle saw some safe exchanges that resulted in Fiejen taking a three foul penalty to fend off the surge of a trailing Appleton. Niels made it to 122 balls until missing, giving Appleton the green light to run out 64 balls to win, 125-122. The next match featured Ralf Souquet against Darren Appleton. This match was a classic, knock-down, drag-out, fight-for-every-shot match. However, this time fortune did not shine on Appleton so well as Souquet posted a monster run to finish off Appleton. The finals for the 14.1 Challenge will feature Ralf Souquet vs Alex Pagulayan and should kickoff early afternoon on Saturday.

Pagulayan advanced to the finals of the 14.1 Challenge but fell short of advancing to the Fatboy Challenge finals after a strong comeback by Moore.

In the FatBoy Challenge action, Stevie Moore trailed Alex Pagulayan 11-5, and went on to win 10 of the next 11 games to defeat Pagulayan, 15-12. The other semifinals match was more lopsided as Francisco Bustamante bested 2012 Derby City Classic Bank Division champion John Morra, 15-5. The finals of the Fatboy Challenge will feature Francisco Bustamante vs Stevie Moore and should kick off late Saturday.

More action on the FREE live stream table will continue on Saturday at InsidePOOL.tv

The 14.1 Challenge enjoyed an $8,500 added purse that pays out $300 for the daily high run, $200 for second place daily and $100 for third place daily. The prize breakdown for the main event of the 14.1 Challenge are as follows:

1st – $2,600
2nd – $1,900
3rd-4th – $1,200
5th-8th – $700

Sponsors for the 14.1 Challenge include Diamond Billiard Products, Bob Jewett, Stu Mattana, Rich Klein, Jeff Mohl and Simonis Cloth. Patrons include James & Sons Jewelers, Arnold Kupec, Angel Levine, 14and1.com, America’s Straight Pool League, Stan Haines, Ted Antle, James Franklin, Larry Moy, Jay Helfert and Phil Capelle.

The free live stream is being broadcast by Inside POOL TV in HD at 1-year subscription to the online version of Inside POOL Magazine.

Sponsors that make the free live stream of the 14th Annual Derby City Classic include Diamond Billiard Products, Kamui Tips, Fury Cues, The bankshot Calculator, Hammerhead Hustling Clothing, Sharks web series, Pool Player Excuses billiard towel, Definitive Synergy billiards management software and Tom Simpson’s National Billiard Academy.

The 14.1 Challenge at the Derby City Classic continued on Thursday with action in the first round of the single elimination bracket. Three of the four matches were played with one match postponed to Friday due to scheduling conflicts presented by Niels Fiejen and Darren Appleton playing in other events.

The match saw Souquet, Inside POOL Magazine's 2011 Player of the Year, defeat Immonen 125-109. Souquet posted a high run of 70 balls on his way to the victory.

The first match on the FREE live HD stream produced by Inside POOL TV was between Ralf Souquet and Mika Immonen. The match saw Souquet, Inside POOL Magazine’s 2011 Player of the Year, defeat Mika Immonen 125-109. Souquet posted a high run of 70 balls on his way to the victory.

The second match on the free live stream was between John Schmidt and Johnny Archer. Schmidt played well, taking advantage of some early opportunities. Schmidt dominated the match even though his high run was only 44 balls.

The remaining match posed Alex Pagulayan versus Dennis Orcollo. Both players fought hard with some decent runs, but it was Pagulayan that pulled out the victory.

The match between Fiejen and Appleton is scheduled on the FREE live stream channel at InsidePOOL.tv for approximately 11:30 am EST on Friday.

The 14.1 Challenge enjoyed an $8,500 added purse that pays out $300 for the daily high run, $200 for second place daily and $100 for third place daily. The prize breakdown for the main event of the 14.1 Challenge are as follows:

1st – $2,600
2nd – $1,900
3rd-4th – $1,200
5th-8th – $700

Sponsors for the 14.1 Challenge include Diamond Billiard Products, Bob Jewett, Stu Mattana, Rich Klein, Jeff Mohl and Simonis Cloth. Patrons include James & Sons Jewelers, Arnold Kupec, Angel Levine, 14and1.com, America’s Straight Pool League, Stan Haines, Ted Antle, James Franklin, Larry Moy, Jay Helfert and Phil Capelle.

The free live stream is being broadcast by Inside POOL TV in HD at 1-year subscription to the online version of Inside POOL Magazine.

Sponsors that make the free live stream of the 14th Annual Derby City Classic include Diamond Billiard Products, Kamui Tips, Fury Cues, The bankshot Calculator, Hammerhead Hustling Clothing, Sharks web series, Pool Player Excuses billiard towel, Definitive Synergy billiards management software and Tom Simpson’s National Billiard Academy.

by InsidePOOL Staff

In the featured match of the winners’ bracket in the evening rounds of the Turning Stone Classic XVIII, Dennis Hatch defeated Darren Appleton in a double-hill match to send the Brit to the one-loss side of the chart.

Hatch, who despite dominating the Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour is still chasing the elusive Turning Stone title, was tied with the reigning U.S. Open champion at 4-all and then at 8-all when things went Hatch’s way, and he took the match 9-8. Appleton now must play at noon in the brutal bracket, while Hatch’s next opponent will be Mike “The Fireball” Dechaine, who earlier bested Jennifer Barretta 9-4.

In the featured match of the winners’ bracket in the evening rounds of the Turning Stone Classic XVIII, Hatch defeated Appleton in a double-hill match to send the Brit to the one-loss side of the chart.

Earl Strickland dealt a shocking 9-0 loss to Johnny Archer in the second round of the winners’ side matches and then also sent Mike Davis to the west side 9-4. Archer recovered to hand Jerry Crowe a donut in the following round. Shane Winters, who earlier defeated Dan Heidrich 9-3, will face off with Strickland in the next round.

View the Turning Stone tournament brackets (updated continuously)

The other remaining lady, former world junior champion Brittany Bryant, suffered her first loss against Stevie Moore 9-4. Bryant went west to face off against the winner between Oscar Dominguez and Jim Sinclair, while Moore has to play former Turning Stone champion Ralf Souquet, who just bested Ruben Bautista 9-5.

Elimination rounds begin in earnest Saturday. Visit InsidePOOL for the latest news in the sport of billiards and pool.

Europe 10– 5 USA

Appleton / Feijen 6-3 Putnam / Dechaine
Darren Appleton 6-2 Shawn Putnam
Feijen / Souquet 6-2 Archer / Morris
Nick Van Den Berg 5-6 Shane Van Boening
Chris Melling 6-2 Mike Dechaine

TEAM EUROPE is now one match away from retaining the PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup after a one-sided blitz on the American team in front of a standing room only crowd at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

After getting the better of things yesterday, the Americans entered the day with high hopes but were battered from start to finish with only Shane Van Boening contributing some red to the score board.

Needing a great start to the day, the USA lost an exciting opener as Appleton and Feijen got the better of Dechaine and Putnam by 6-3. That restored the Europeans three point lead that they held at the start of day one, but the final rack of the match was one of the best safety battles in Mosconi history as all four players took turns to leave the cue ball tucked up.

It was Feijen who broke the deadlock as he made a table length bank on the blue 2 and from there the Europeans ran out to take the match.

“Yesterday we lost the first doubles match 6-5 but Niels and Nick had played well. You need a bit of luck at the right time and we had a couple of rolls there,” said Appleton.
“But we played well at the end and had a lot of fire inside us – Niels is a fantastic player to play with,” he added.
There was more misery for Putnam in the next as he was easily beaten by a fired-up Darren Appleton as Europe moved into an 8-4 lead. The tone was set in the opening rack as Putnam looked to be heading for a run out but missed a howler of a 9 ball to hand the rack to Europe. The big man never really recovered from that and further errors sealed his fate.

TEAM EUROPE is now one match away from retaining the PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup after a one-sided blitz on the American team in front of a standing room only crowd at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

The third match featured Johnny Archer and Rodney Morris against Niels Feijen and Ralf Souquet and for the American side it was desperate stuff. 8-4 soon became 9-4 as the lacklustre American pair failed to make any sort of dent in the confident Europeans’ armour.

“When we had a training camp we played with each other and figured out what teams were working out and Johan then picked the pairings,” said Souquet.
“It’s not over until the fat lady sings and we want to win the next two and finish it off. We have quite a comfortable lead but it’s still a long road.”
Feijen added “When everyone is scoring points in front of you it takes the pressure off. We’ve clicked really well and have a great team spirit and a great team.”
It was Shane Van Boening who finally stopped the rot and ensured a final day of play as he endured a torrid match against Nick Van Den Berg that went all the way to a decider. Van Boening had led 5-2 at one stage but the plucky Dutchman fought back to level it at 5-5 and breaking in the final rack he found himself favourite.

A dry break got the American back to the table and he played a superb slow roll on the 1 ball to set up a difficult run out which Van Boening completed to keep his side in the competition.

Finally it was left to Chris Melling to turn the screw and put his side on the hill as he beat Mike Dechaine 6-2 in a clash of the rookies.

Europe 4 – 1 USA

After the first day’s play at the 2011 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup, considered by many to be the best billiards event of the season, Team Europe holds a commanding 4-1 lead as they cashed in on some tentative play from the Americans at the MGM Grand.

Aside from Archer and Putnam’s solid show in the first doubles match of the tournament, none of the Americans were firing on all cylinders and captain Charlie Williams will have a job to do for tomorrow.

Europe by contrast looked like thoroughbreds with big names like Souquet and Feijen looking the part and rookie Chris Melling pulling off a stunning win in the last game of the day.

Watched by his father, who was celebrating his 60th birthday, the 32 year-old Melling looked superb as he came from 3-0 down to steal the final match of the day from Shane Van Boening with a hill-hill win.

It was a bitter pill for the Americans to swallow as the difference between 3-2 and 4-1 is immense, and they will need to dig deep tomorrow if they are to reverse their fortunes.

Earlier, the Europeans drew first blood as they took the opening team match which featured all ten players. The format differed from previous years, in that each rack was contested by just two players rather than the alternate shot method involving all five.

It was Chris Melling who took the deciding rack against Mike Dechaine for the point but the Americans looked a little nervous throughout.

2010 MVP Darren Appleton was delighted with the win; “I’m really happy with the start. The format had changed a bit and it adds more pressure. You’re a bit cold and have no help from your friends. I played the first rack and was shaking really badly.

“Chris didn’t get a shot in the first game but he managed to win the rack that won us the point and I think he will go on and play very well.

“We don’t have to gel as we just come together and are a lot more relaxed than ever before. We’re playing really good, feel calm in ourselves and pretty sure we’re going to win.”

The American pair of Johnny Archer and Shawn Putnam – close friends off the table – dug their heels in to overturn a 3-1 deficit and beat the Euro duo of Chris Melling and Nick Van Den Berg.

It was a big point for the Americans as Archer and Putnam grew in confidence as the match went on and they came with the critical shots in the closing stages. The communication between the pair was excellent as they kicked on for victory.

“Representing your country is the most pressure you will feel,” said Putnam.

AFTER the first day’s play at the 2011 PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup, Team Europe holds a commanding 4-1 lead as they cashed in on some tentative play from the Americans at the MGM Grand.

Match summary
Europe 6-4 USA

Melling / Van den Berg 3-6 Archer / Putnam

Niels Feijen 6-0 Rodney Morris

Appleton / Souquet 6-4 Van Boening / Dechaine

Chris Melling 6-5 Shane Van Boening

“Everyone is used to playing for yourselves but when you play for your country the nerves are about ten times more and your friends on the team are looking for you to come through.

Archer added “It’s early but any match can turn anything around. We were 3-1 down and the momentum was in their favour but a bad break gave us a bit of a lifeline and we started creeping back.”

Rodney Morris, for so long a stalwart of the US Mosconi Cup side, looked a forlorn figure as he slumped to a 6-0 defeat at the hands of Niels Feijen. The Dutchman looked clinical throughout as he capitalised on Morris’s lacklustre display.

“That match was great,” said a delighted Feijen.

“In the first team match it was the most nerve-racking match I’ve played in so it was nice to settle down in th Read more ...]]> http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/europe-leads-4-1-at-mosconi-cup.html/feed 0 http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/appleton-to-the-fore-as-mosconi-team-europe-named.html http://www.cuesandpool.com/billiard-news/appleton-to-the-fore-as-mosconi-team-europe-named.html#comments Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:37:33 +0000 Pool and Billiards News http://www.insidepoolmag.com/?p=16500 2011 European Mosconi Cup Rankings Latest

Appleton to the fore as Team Europe named

Darren Appleton‘s second successive US Open title – only the third man in history to successfully defend the biggest title in American pool – saw him move to second spot in the final European rankings and secure a second successive PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup appearance.

He will be joined by countryman Chris Melling who has enjoyed a fabulous season, with 14 times Mosconi Cup veteran Ralf Souquet (Germany) claiming the third automatic spot. The remaining two “wild card’ spots go to the Dutch duo of Nick Van Den Berg and Niels Feijen, who have ten Mosconi Cup appearances between them.

Following a 13 event series over 12 months taking in 12 different countries around the world, the top five players in the ranking will now reconvene at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to defend the title they won so well in London last year.

World 10 Ball champion Huidji See gave Feijen a run for his money but came up just six points short as The Terminator’s 17th place finish in Chesapeake saw him over the line.

There are two changes from last year’s victorious side – Melling comes in for Karl Boyes, while Feijen replaces Mika Immonen. The team will once again be captained by Dutchman Johan Ruijsink.

The PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup is the annual Europe v America pool showdown. In existence since 1994, the event features two five-man teams doing battle in a series of singles and doubles matches over four days of compelling action.

The second successive US Open title for Appleton – only the third man in history to successfully defend the biggest title in American pool – saw him move to second spot in the final European rankings and secure a second successive PartyPoker.net Mosconi Cup appearance.

The Ranking (Top 15)

1. Chris Melling (GBR) 122

2. Darren Appleton (GBR) 111

3. Ralf Souquet (GER) 94

4. Nick Van Den Berg (NED) 80

5. Niels Feijen (NED) 78

6. Huidji See (NED) 72

7. Daryl Peach (GBR) 69

8. Mark Gray (ENG) 58

9. David Alcaide (ESP) 48

10. Jayson Shaw (SCO) 47

11. Konstantin Stepanov (RUS) 45

12. Serge Das 40

12. Oliver Ortmann (GER) 40

14. Carlo Dalmatin (CRO) 38

15. Dimitri Jungo (GER) 35

Tickets for the Mosconi Cup are priced at $35 per day or $120 for the four day season passes and booking charges will apply.

Currently the Mosconi Cup is sold through Ticketmaster (1-800-745-3000) or MGM Resorts Contact Center (1-866-740-7711).

Visit www.ticketmaster.com and search “Mosconi Cup”