Half Pints roll to third segment title
Rob Macdonald saved his best for the very last night of the Niagara 5-Pin Mixed Pro League season.
The rookie fireballer out of Hamilton has been one of the men’s high average contenders all season, rolling several 800 series, but on the final night he finally cracked the 900 plateau, tossing a monster 906 (346, 304, 256).
His triple led the Scorecard Harry’s Half Pints to the final segment title of the season, knocking off the Crossfire Wrestling Piledrivers 3-0.
Helping him in his efforts were Adam Eckhardt, who rolled 676 (226, 259) and Mickey Pikor, right behind with 673 (239, 244).
The Piledrivers responded with Chantal Papineau’s 766 (252, 316) and Wilma Vanderzwaag’s 637 (226).
In the battle for second place, the Reggie’s Renovations Inc. Hammerheads edged the Lakeside Electrical Lightning 2-1 by six points in the closest match of the night.
The Hammerheads were led by Jeff Stevens, who had one of his better nights of the season, shooting a sizzling 836 (278, 275, 283), while getting helped along by Paul Asselin’s 757 (240, 302, 215) and Wendy Bonnette’s 724 (252, 232, 240).
The Lightning returned fire with Tyler Wendel’s excellent 816 (263, 296, 256) and Shawn Pellizari’s 738 (248, 219, 271).
The Dale Mellway Life Insurance Magic took two of three from the Oh Canada Eh Dinner Show Town Criers. Matt Kowalk sparked the Magic with a solid 771 (229, 234, 308), while Brian McFarlane backed up his effort with a steady 747 (254, 304).
The Town Criers answered with Chris Disher, who finished his season in excellent fashion, reeling off a scorching 861 (271, 356, 234), while getting aid from Myke Mercier’s 619 (250).
In the evening’s final match, the Wine Place Whiners defeated the Oh Canada Eh Dinner Show Canucks 2-1. Sara Kennedy had the hot hand for the winners, leading the way with 713 (232, 239, 242). P.J. Cole as right behind with 708 (284, 240).
The Canucks shot back with Ro b Fisher’s 781 (254, 251, 276) and Dave Pendlebury’s 679 (204, 271).
Notes: Tyler Wendel captured his second consecutive men’s high average title with 266.8 as well as the men’s high triple with 996.
He just missed the triple crown as he was edged out of the men’s high single by Rob Fisher who won with a 415 … Chantal Papineau showed why she will be representing southern Ontario at the Canadian National Championships in June as she swept the ladies triple crown with the high average (257.4), the high triple (980) and the high single (410) … Sad to pass on the news of the sudden passing of one of the true legends of 5-pin bowling, Fraser Hambly.
Though bowling out of Toronto Mr. Hambly, who died at age 75, was widely known throughout Niagara, Ontario and Canada as one of the best to ever participate in the game.
Winner of several national and provincial titles Hambly was one of 16 dual inductees to the Ontario 5 Pin Hall of Fame as both a bowler and a builder and in 2000 was voted by his peers as the top male bowler since the beginning of the sport.