Winter League Updates - Week 20

The Hasbeens — Position Round — Lanes 13/14

Every ten weeks in the Lane Masters League features a position-round matchup: first place bowls second, third bowls fourth, and so on. This week, we found ourselves clinging to third place by a slim margin—just 0.8 of a point. We entered the night with a 71–62 record, while our opponents stood at 70–63. On paper—and in reality—they are the stronger team, but our handicap kept us neck and neck in the standings.

They boast two exceptional bowlers, both averaging over 200, including an anchor carrying a formidable 223.75 average. Their third bowler isn’t far behind at 204. The leadoff is a steady 140-average bowler, and their second bowler is unpredictable—averaging 165 but fully capable of firing a 200-plus game at any moment.

Our game plan was simple: win two out of three games. We focused on spare shooting over chasing strikes, aimed to start steady (five to ten pins over average to apply pressure), limited the damage from their top two bowlers by staying clean, and made sure to score in every frame. On paper, it sounded manageable.

Game 1 was one for the record books—and not in our favor. Two of their bowlers caught fire, and although their superstar did not, it hardly mattered. When a 165-average bowler shoots 258 and a 204-average bowler posts 242, that’s a tall hill to climb. Credit where it’s due—they put on a strike clinic. Three of our four bowlers finished above average, but we still lost Game 1 by 101 pins with handicap.

Game 2 told a different story. Their momentum cooled, while ours picked up. We controlled the pace and took the game by 47 pins.

Game 3 was a mixed bag. Our scores improved (133, 157, 190, and 194), and so did theirs (138, 219, 192, and 227). Once again, handicap proved decisive, pulling out a 32-pin win for us.

Although our opponents claimed total pins, we won the match 4–3, holding firm in third place as we head into the final ten-week stretch of the season.

Personally, it was a much better night for me. Lanes 13/14 continue to be my favorite; for reasons I can’t fully explain, I consistently score better on this pair. I opened with the Phaze II. It wasn’t spectacular, but it was steady enough for a 180 in Game 1. Limiting myself to just two open frames—and striking out in the tenth—helped build momentum.

In Game 2, I finally found a groove. I started with the front three, giving me six consecutive strikes dating back to the previous game. A couple of spares followed before I left a six-pin in the sixth frame for an open. I went strike–spare in the seventh and eighth, then left a 3–10 in the ninth. I finished with a spare and strike for a 192.

Game 3 began poorly with a 7-open in the first frame, but I followed it with four straight strikes. After the opening frame, I switched to the Destiny Hybrid and stayed with it the rest of the night. I added a 9-spare and strike before leaving the dreaded 7–10 in the eighth. For context, I counted eight 7–10 splits across our pair and the neighboring lanes—six of them before the middle of Game 2. I opened in both the eighth and ninth frames, then closed with a strike and 7-spare for a 194.

I flirted with 200 all night, but seven open frames kept me from breaking through.

As a side note, two of our favorite young bowlers had career nights. Congratulations to Dom on his first 300 and to Bubba for a career-high 258. I couldn’t be prouder of these two—they’re going to be around for a long time.

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RIGHT / LEFT / RIGHT — Lanes 19/20

I probably should have stayed home. Then again, if I had, I wouldn’t have learned a valuable lesson—though I’m still not entirely sure what that lesson is. What I do know is that last night was a learning experience, and the lesson is still unfolding.

Lanes 19/20 aren’t my favorite, but they’ve treated me fairly well this season. Last night, however, that goodwill ran out. I couldn’t find anything productive, couldn’t string shots together, and too many open frames derailed the night. Part of the lesson, I suspect, was realizing that I didn’t know what to do when I didn’t know what to do. Ball changes and early moves left didn’t solve the puzzle. It was a tough night, and we managed to salvage only two points.

Still, as someone wisely said last night, “Life goes on.” We were fortunate to bowl against some of the sweetest ladies in the sport, and laughter and hugs replaced marks on the scoresheet. We’ll live to bowl another day. And the next time I find myself on lanes 19/20, I’ll be far more mentally prepared for the challenge.

Keep striking!