The third year of the Elgin Cross-Town Classic began with a series of matches that could be best described as nail-biters. Each game went down to the 10th frame. Bowlway Lanes hosted the first week of the tournament and was going for a three-peat along with keeping its home winning streak alive. Bowlway had never lost a home match since the tournament began.
Historically, Bowlway Lanes plays tough and scoring can be low, and this year was no exception. Both teams seemed to sputter from the start in the first game. The lane conditions were real tight and bowlers had to play straighter to reach the pocket. Spares were a premium in this match. Bowlway was led by Dan Martin with a 205. Nobody on the Elgin squad shot average, but they did make their spares, which was the difference in the game in the later frames, and Elgin edged out Bowlway by 7 pins.
By the second game the shot opened up and strikes came fast and were plentiful. Elgin Lanes had the lead throughout the match, but a split in the 10th frame by Dan Svehla opened the door for Bowlway to win. Leading Elgin Lanes was Drew Perly with 235 and Svehla with 232. Bowlway posted a solid 1074 score led by Dan Martin’s 246 and Sean Hargadon’s 226. Bowlway won the match by 21 pins.
In the final match, the shot seemed to close down again and strikes were less common. Missed spares by Bowlway Lanes throughout the game and in the final frames created an opportunity for Dan Svehla to fire two strikes in the tenth frame to win the game and take total series for the three matches. Elgin won the last match by 16 pins.
“The lanes were playing a bit strange today,” said Elgin Lanes Manager Lex Perly. “But our guys adapted well and worked through it.”
Elgin Lanes took a 5-2 match-point lead and a total pin lead of 2 pins heading into this week’s contest on their home turf. Two points is awarded for each team win. One point is awarded to the team that knocks down the most pins for total series. If the two teams tie at the end of the two week event, total pins will be used to determine the winner.
“I have to be honest, I would rather bowl myself than watch bowling,” said Ken, a spectator in the front row, who saw all the action up close. “But this was real exciting. Every game went down to the ninth and tenth frames.”
Team Bowlway was led by Dan Martin with a 664 series, Mark Toppel (589), Sean Hargadon (583), John Golden (557) and Wayne Curley (531). The team finished with 2,924 total pins for a team average of 194.9.
Team Elgin was led by Drew Perly with a 646 series, Dan Svehla (619), John Mundt (562), Daryl Rucki Jr. (555), and Steve Mundt (544). The team finished with 2,926 total pins for a team average of 195.
The Elgin Cross-Town Classic III continues this week at Elgin Lanes on Saturday, March 14, starting at 12 noon. The team that wins the most match-game points over the two week’s
competition will be declared Elgin’s Match Game Champions and will personally receive the Mayor’s Cup from Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain.
BOX SCORE
Team Elgin 914 1053 959 = 2,926
Team Bowlway 907 1074 943 = 2,924
Elgin: Drew Perly (Elgin) 646, Dan Svehla (Schaumburg) 619, John Mundt (Elgin) 562, Daryl Rucki Jr. (Elgin) 555, and Steve Mundt (Elgin) 544.
Bowlway: Dan Martin (Elgin) 664, Mark Toppel (Elgin) 589, Sean Hargadon (Elgin) 583, John Golden (Elgin) 557, Wayne Curley (Elgin) 531
RECAP
Game one: Team Elgin leads Bowlway 2-. in points.
Game two: Team Elgin and Team Bowlway are tied 2-2.
Game three: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 4-2.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 5-2.
Game one: Team Elgin leads Bowlway 2-. in points.
Game two: Team Elgin and Team Bowlway are tied 2-2.
Game three: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 4-2.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 5-2.
Team Elgin leads in total pins by 2.
