Points Championship Close in Tidewater Final

By Bill Rosenberger

It was simple for Delton Howard.  Win Saturday's Tidewater Finale at Fast Eddie's in Goldsboro, NC, and hope that Tommy Cooke had an early exit.  Well, at least it sounded simple.

Howard trailed Cooke entering the Saturday, November 20 event by just 12 points in the overall standings and desperately needed some help from the field.  Howard did do what he needed to-win the tournament.  But Cooke went undefeated through the winners' bracket right alongside Howard to meet him in the hot seat.

Howard knew with Cooke's guaranteed top-three finish, he couldn't overtake him for the championship.  Instead, he fired his game up and sent Cooke to the semifinals with a 7-4 win. 

Cooke, though, made quick work of Charlie Brinson 5-0 to earn a spot in the finals against Howard.  The match was everything the fans could have wanted-two top area players battling it out in the finals.  With the score 5-all, Howard hit overdrive, winning the next two games for a 7-5 lead.  Then he sunk the 9 o­n the break for a three-game lead.  Cooke's hope for a comeback was spearheaded by his own break in the following game, as he sunk the 1 and the cue ball, leaving Howard with ball in hand and an easy shot o­n a 2-9 combo.  Howard's successful combo execution solidified his victory, even though Cooke still earned the points championship.    

Results:

1st Delton Howard

2nd Tommy Cooke

3rd Charlie Brinson

4th Montez Lloid