106th Season – Week 11

Bowling Q2 – week 3 wrap for Alleygations

Robert Driver ~ November 18, 2024

It was the best of all bowling worlds. And it was the worst of all bowling worlds.

Week 3 proved the old adage: “Don’t count your chickens before they kill two birds with a bowling ball.”

Or something like that.

The evening started innocently enough. It was warm and rainy outside and the US Soccer team was dominating the Jamaicans on the tube whilst 16 talented rollers embarked on a friendly competition.

By game 3, all hell broke loose. Ralph Decker proved that walking and rolling a ball at the same time is a talent. MAN DOWN! It was an artistic and full-fledged belly flop onto the lane (9.5 from the Russian judge). We didn’t know if he was so sad his ball was going away or if he was oiling up to go to the beach. Maybe he was trying to imitate a crow flying. KA-KAW!

Fortunately, no ambulances were summoned or needed. Terry Werner showed his hero skills off by pulling Ralph back to safety and administering a good dose of psychological healing. (Better than the Marvin Gaye kind).

Soon, thereafter, and clearly inspired by the artistry of Mr. Decker, Carl Lane and Jack Windish (both on team Lane) rolled four and five strikes in a row at the end of game three to propel their team to a season-best handicap game of 941 and a 16 – 6 victory over Team Baker. Impressive!

An honorable mention for the play of the day has to go to Olivette Lanes proprietor Don Klackner who bowled a frame on the wrong lane. You’d think he’d know how this all works by now!

The scoring monsters for the evening were Team Westreich (on the strength of Wade’s handicap 652 series) who scored a 22 – 2 victory over Team Cowell.

Team Jones continued their torrid success, landing an 895 handicap second game and whipping up on Team Driver 16 – 6 (despite Matt Weiss’s evening high 666 series). Matt – is that a number normally associated with you?

Team Decker (on the strength of Ralph’s handicap series of 653 – despite the oil rush) grabbed 13 points to Team Werner’s 9.

Kudos to our many pro-for-the-day scratch games over 200: Don Klackner (223), Carl Lane (220), Ralph Decker (206),Terry Werner (204), and Jack Windish (202).

There are four outings left in the quarter. Team Jones is commanding first place with Team Lane in close pursuit.

ANNOUNCEMENT: The final outing of the fall – on December 16 – it is proposed there will be an added competition for worst holiday sweater. Start your shopping now.

Respectfully Submitted,
Robert Driver