The pin action came early and often on the first
day of this year’s Elgin X-Town Classic before changing lane conditions brought
everyone down to earth. Elgin Lanes claimed the first game convincingly, the
second game just barely, before Bowlway bounced back to win game three. Elgin
left Bowlway Lanes with a 5-2 lead in points and posted a narrow 71-pin lead, which may
not hold up if last year’s result is any indication.
During
the second game, the lanes began to transition, and most of the bowlers who
played inside early struggled to adjust. It was close throughout the whole game.
Elgin squeaked out a win with a low 971 team score, led once again by Drew
Perly (220) and newcomer Barry Lawler (213). Bowlway posted a 947 score with
John Golden (229) leading the way.
BOX SCORE
Team Elgin: Drew Perly 654 series, Barry Lawler (613), Dan Svehla (610), Jason Svehla (609) and Keith David (552). The team finished with a 202.5 average.
In game
one, both teams seemed to play cat and mouse for the first few frames before Elgin
Lanes hit the gas and never looked back. They walled up frame after frame with
strikes, something people have seen before from this team. Elgin Lanes posted a
solid 1,084 team score, led by Drew Perly (235), Dan Svehla (226), Jason Svehla
(223), and Keith Davis (207). Bowlway posted a 999 team score, led by the lefty
John Golden (224) and his son, Brad Read (203).
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| Jason Svehla strikes for Elgin Lanes. Photo by Bruce Shipyor. |
By the
third game, the struggle was real, as both teams kept trying to adjust and
string strikes. The frustration was visible and many bowlers seemed to focus
even more as the game grew more intense. A few opens by Elgin opened the door
for Bowlway to pull ahead with the help of Brad Read and JJ Meyer, who starting
stringing strikes. By the end of the game, Bowlway claimed victory with a solid
1,021 score, led by JJ (227), Brad (220) and John Golden (215). Elgin Lanes posted
a 983 score led by Dan Svehla’s 229.
Going
into Elgin Lanes this Saturday, the home team will have a chance to win the
title outright by winning two games. If they only win one game, then it will
come down to total pins, and Elgin’s 71-pin lead is really not that much when
you consider the results of past tournaments. Still, if they do win, this would
be the first time Elgin Lanes wins back-to-back titles.
Team Bowlway
has work to do at Elgin Lanes where scoring can be big. The emotions should be high
as both teams have something to play for as year seven comes to an end for this
unique tournament.
BOX SCORE
Team Elgin 1084
971 983 = 3,038
Team Bowlway 999 847 1021 = 2,967Team Elgin: Drew Perly 654 series, Barry Lawler (613), Dan Svehla (610), Jason Svehla (609) and Keith David (552). The team finished with a 202.5 average.
Team Bowlway: John Golden 668 series, Brad Read (604), JJ Meyer (593), Wayne
Curley (563), and Sean Hargadon (539). The team finished 197.8 average.
RECAP
Game one: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 2-0 in points.
Game two: Team Elgin extends lead Team Elgin 4-0.
Game three: Team Bowlway wins Team Elgin 4-2.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 5-2.
Game one: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 2-0 in points.
Game two: Team Elgin extends lead Team Elgin 4-0.
Game three: Team Bowlway wins Team Elgin 4-2.
Series totals: Team Elgin leads Team Bowlway 5-2.
Team Elgin leads in total pins by 71.
The Elgin Cross-Town Classic VII
continues this week at Elgin Lanes, 410 Shepard Drive on Saturday, April 20, starting at 12pm. 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. The event is free and open to the public. It’s sponsored by
Bowlway Lanes, Elgin Lanes, Elgin Today, madwill creative, and is certified by
the United States Bowling Congress.
