It was a record-setting day to start the fourth-annual
Elgin
Cross-Town Classic. Elgin Lanes took a commanding lead on its home lanes by
winning every match against Bowlway Lanes. This put the Elgin squad out front 7-0
in points with a 203 pin lead – the largest three-game total ever produced in
the tournament’s history.
Elgin Lanes started the first game strong, posting a solid 1064 team score, led by Drew Perly with a 230, Keith Davis with a 221, and Jason Svehla with a 208. Bowlway responded with a 990 team effort, led by Wayne Curley’s 222 and Mark Toppel’s 217.
The second
game was much closer as the lanes began to transition. Elgin Lanes hung on to
grind out a 994-990 victory over Bowlway Lanes, where critical missed spares
and poor pin count resulted in the loss. Elgin Lanes was led Jason Svehla’s 278
game (the largest in tournament history) and Drew Perly’s 216 game. Bowlway’s
top scorers were Mark Toppel with a 237 and Eddie Czlapinski with a 231.
Elgin Lanes started the first game strong, posting a solid 1064 team score, led by Drew Perly with a 230, Keith Davis with a 221, and Jason Svehla with a 208. Bowlway responded with a 990 team effort, led by Wayne Curley’s 222 and Mark Toppel’s 217.
 |
| Elgin Lanes X-Town Team 2016 |
The final
game saw Elgin Lanes pull away and build on its lead with a 976-841 victory
over Bowlway. Jason Svehla led the Elgin squad with a 227 game and finished
with a team high and record-setting 713 series. Bowlway Lanes was led by Dan
Martin with a 205 game.
Overall,
the lanes played much straighter, where high percentage shots were rewarded and
swinging the ball from the inside caused many problems with pin carry and
splits. According to Jason Svehla, who led all scorers, it was a matter of
adjusting to the lane conditions and not trying to do too much. “I just tried
to take what the lanes were giving me and it really worked out well today,” he
said.
Going
into Bowlway Lanes this Saturday, the home team will have its work to do, and will
try to erase that
7 point deficit and close the overall pin gap. There is no room for error. One
loss and this year’s title will go to Elgin Lanes. Being in this position is
something new for Team Bowlway. “We have to come out real strong if we hope to
have a chance against them,” said Mark Toppel, who led the Bowlway squad in
scoring. “I’m excited that we will be bowling at home because we can fill that
place up, make some noise, and get the crowd supporting us.”
BOX SCORE
Team Elgin 1064 994 976 =
3,034
Team Bowlway 990 990
841 = 2,821
Team Elgin: led by Jason Svehla with
a 713 series, Drew Perly (625), Keith Davis (581), Rusty Zwart (566) and Dan
Svehla (549). The team finished with 3,034 total pins for a team average of 202.
Team Bowlway: led by Mark Toppel with a 632 series, Dan Martin (585),
Eddie Czlapinski (558), Wayne Curley (547), and Chris Geimer (499). The team
finished with 2,831 total pins for a team average of 188.7.
RECAP
Game one: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 2-0 in points.
Game two: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 4-0.
Game three: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 6-0.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 7-0.
Game one: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 2-0 in points.
Game two: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 4-0.
Game three: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 6-0.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 7-0.
Team Elgin leads in total pins by 213.
The Elgin Cross-Town Classic IV
continues this week at Bowlway Lanes on Saturday, March 26, 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. 