T3 in the Qubica Senior Summer Series and we were back at the Green. We moved away from the format we used in T1 and T2 which was a 7 game block and a scratch and handicap prize fund, to a 6 game 1st round with a 2nd and 3rd cut with the field halving after each cut and it being handicap throughout.
Were trying to see what works, and what bowlers want in this first year… and maybe it was the format, or maybe that this was off the back of two senior events the week before and a week before the super seniors, but we only had 35 bowlers for the third event.
Continuing the theme we’ve used all year “PBA Legends” the pattern for this tournament was 2023 Rick Steelsmith Pattern – 42ft 21ml, with a ratio getting towards to the top end of the “challenge” category. Not sure what it is with the Green but patterns play hard there… we used this pattern earlier in the year for a BTBA tour event at Dunstable and it was “friendly” – Steve Thornton had 3 x 300’s on it !
So 35 players hit the lanes trying to get into the top 16. Pace setter was Colin Grose on +119, in 2nd was Linda Pray on +91 and third was the D’Bruce Robert Bruce on +73. The cut to the top 16 was set at Alan Keddie on 1194.
Now thanks to our generous sponsor Motiv Bowling Uk we had two nuclear Forges to give away. https://www.motivbowling.com/products/balls/retired-balls/nuclear-forge.html – So I thought I’d mix it up a bit and give a ball away via a “closest to the pin” competition. Everyone made a prediction at what score the cut would come in at… but if you go one pin over, you bust out and can’t win. The winning guess was Guy Lipscomb on 1192
Oh and how can we forget the biscuit quiz… just something to do whilst changing lanes. I think I actually put more effort and had more rules for the quiz then I did the actual tournament…
3 bowlers got 20/20 correct… but there’s a steward inquiry out ! And investigation is under way because there are allegations that the same person filled in all 3 quiz sheets – there was a syndicate of cheating going on ! – whilst this investigation is under way the following people will be under suspension from further quizzes – Lyn Humphries, Gordan Humphries, Matt Trotter and Alan Keddie !
2nd round and it was a further 3 games with scores carrying forward. Colin continued to lead, but that lead was down to 19 pins as Selwyn was gobbling up the field with games of 254,247,201 and was now in 2nd. Rob Bruce continued in 3rd and the cut came in at Micheal Pray in 8th and who pushed his own wife Linda into 9th who missed the cut by just 3 pins.
So the top 8 would play another 3 games, all the top 8 would cash. It was a great mix of bowlers in the final with some top end scratch bowlers, some handicap bowlers and a couple of bandito’s. It was an exciting final, and as it progressed it became two separate battles… The battle for 3 and 4th between Rob Bruce and Westy and the battle for the title between Colin and Selwyn. First game Selwyn bunged in a 254 game and that saw him move top of the pile. But in the 2nd game Colin came roaring back with a 279 and took a 17 pin lead into the final game. Both bowlers matching each other in the final game, but Selwyn struck out and that meant Colin needed something in the 10th and The Beast struck out to eventually win by 21 pins. Rob Bruce finished where he had spent all day in 3rd and Westy came 4th.
Top lady bowler was Marsha Dalley who finished 7th overall and won a Motiv Nuclear Forge and Qubica AMF trophy pin.
So the final results – full results are here https://events.btba.org.uk/tournament-details?recordId=reckr8rpUDUMBujrm
1st Colin Grose – £390 + Striking Shirt https://strikingshirts.bigcartel.com/ + Qubica Trophy Pin.
2nd Selwyn Morgan £290
3rd Robert Bruce £240
4th Chris West £190
5th Alan Keddie £130
6th Michael Pray £115
7th Marsha Dalley £100 + Motiv Ball + Qubica Trophy Pin
8th Rod Gardner £85
So thank you to Andy, Steve and Rasta Man at the Green for being great hosts. And to my wonderful helpers who bickered away like very old married couple Richie Beck and Lobbers.
So on to the fourth tournament which is on 17th August at the Scareport ! – entry form is out soon. Keep your eyes peeled on the facebook page