Two sessions down and both overflowing with excitement and a fine display of tenpin talent.
Now, with the Europeans in a 9-3 point lead, the Americans are in fight-back form, beginning this evening by
changing the oil pattern on the lanes from a 40 foot condition back two feet to 38, bringing more hook to the bowling balls and definitely more accuracy needed. It remains to be seen just how the two teams will cope and whether scores will be higher or lower.
This session will open once again with the Baker team event and then segue into five singles matches, the third match of which will have the captains' pick, which brought so much internest in the final match last night.
THE BIG COMEBACK
Earlier reports of the demise of the American quartet were greatly exaggerated, as proved by the fabulous comeback from the jaws of defeat in this evenings third session.
Things began to look as though the pendulum was swinging away from the Europeans when the evening session opened with the americans winning the Baker team, the first team victory in Weber Cup XI.
Then fortune favored the Europeans when European captain Osku Palermaa rolled a superb 279 to defeat opposing captain Tim Mack's 184.
The home run continued in match three, the popular captain's pick which has been used for the first time in the event's history. Palermaa named Mack and Mack picked Koivuniemi, which he must have regretted as the tall Finn won the match, 228-208.
The reversal started boldly with Tommy Jones striking out in the tenth frame when he looked like losing his match against Osku Palermaa, 215-205 bringing the american a much needed victory.
This inspired the American team and Chris Barnes rolled the second 279 of the evening to continue on the crest of the wave against Dominic Barrett.
The final singles match of the evening brought the American deficit to just four points, 11-7, when Pete Weber bowled an inspired 255 against leftie Paul Moor.
POINTS:
EUROPE |
11 |
UNITED STATES |
7 |
Match 1 - Baker Team:
Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL | |
X | 9/ | 6s2 | 8/ | 9/ | X | 9/ | X | 6S/ | X8/ | |||
Europe | 20 | 36 | 44 | 63 | 83 | 103 | 123 | 143 | 163 | 183 | 183 | |
X | X | X | 9/ | 9/ | X | 9/ | X | X | 8s1 | |||
USA | 30 | 59 | 79 | 98 | 118 | 138 | 158 | 186 | 205 | 214 | 214 |
Match 2: Singles - Osku Palermaa v Tim Mack
Name | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL |
Osku | X | X | X | 9/ | X | X | X | X | X | XXX | ||
Palermaa | Europe | 30 | 59 | 79 | 99 | 129 | 159 | 189 | 219 | 249 | 279 | 279 |
Tim | X | X | 9/ | 9/ | 6/ | 8/ | X | 7s1 | X | 9/6 | ||
Mack | USA | 29 | 49 | 68 | 84 | 102 | 122 | 140 | 148 | 168 | 184 | 184 |
Match 3: Singles (Captains' picks) - Mika Koivuniemi v Tim Mack
Name | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL |
Mika | X | X | 9/ | X | 9/ | X | X | X | 9/ | X9/ | ||
Koivuniemi | Europe | 29 | 49 | 69 | 89 | 109 | 139 | 168 | 188 | 208 | 228 | 228 |
Tim | 9/ | 8s- | 6s2 | X | X | X | 8s- | X | X | XXX | ||
Mack | USA | 18 | 26 | 34 | 64 | 92 | 110 | 118 | 148 | 178 | 208 | 208 |
Match 4: Singles - Osku Palermaa v Tommy Jones
Name | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL |
Osku | 9/ | X | X | X | X | 9/ | 8s- | X | 9/ | |||
Palermaa | Europe | 20 | 50 | 80 | 109 | 129 | 147 | 155 | 175 | 193 | 201 | 201 |
Tommy | 8/ | X | 6s3 | 9/ | 8/ | X | X | X | 9/ | XXX | ||
Jones | USA | 20 | 39 | 48 | 66 | 86 | 116 | 145 | 165 | 185 | 215 | 215 |
Match 5: Singles - Dominic Barrett v Chris Barnes
Name | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL |
Dominic | 9/ | X | 8/ | 9/ | X | X | X | X | X | 9/X | ||
Barrett | Europe | 20 | 40 | 59 | 79 | 109 | 139 | 169 | 198 | 218 | 238 | 238 |
Chris | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | 9/ | XXX | ||
Barnes | USA | 30 | 60 | 90 | 120 | 150 | 180 | 209 | 229 | 249 | 279 | 279 |
Match 6: Singles - Paul Moor v Pete Weber
Name | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | TOTAL |
Paul | X | 9/ | X | 9/ | 9/ | 8s/ | X | 9/ | X | 8/9 | ||
Moor | Europe | 20 | 40 | 60 | 79 | 97 | 117 | 137 | 157 | 177 | 196 | 196 |
Pete | 9/ | X | X | X | X | 8/ | 8/ | X | X | XX9 | ||
Weber | USA | 20 | 50 | 80 | 108 | 128 | 146 | 166 | 196 | 226 | 255 | 255 |