The Russell Saga

One of the biggest talking points of this year's excellent Brunswick Italia Challenge has been the failure of last year's finalists,

Ronnie Russell of the United States and Austria's Thomas Gross to make the cut, which, at the final qualifying squad, stood at 1319.
Just how could that situation arise?

Well, both bowled the afternoon squads and again failed to make the grade, so it came down to the final Saturday night squad to see if the grade could be made.

When the total pins were counted after four of the six games, Russell had really found his form and was on course not only to make the cut but in line to break into the top ten. He needed just 383 over the final two games to place himself among the elite and that score was easily surpassed to bring him up to eighth place overall.

But the news was not good for the others, none of whom will be in tomorrow's finals.

"I think the temperature had a lot to do with it," said the happy American. "Tonight I was throwing the same ball and using the same line, but somehow my ball pushed through a little easier, so I got easier carry instead of leaving a lot of single pins."

That carry brought him a total score of 1416, way above his previous scores and the benefit of a bye in final stage ne Sunday morning.

Saturday night came to a close with the Desperado squad and just two from that join the fray from that, advancing to the tail of stage one.

Full tournament information on www.brunswickitaliachallenge.com

Top 10 Qualifiers: