Season opens on a roll

5-pin pro leaguers Tim Dixon, Valerie Vallee in mid-season show

The opening night of the 2017-18 Niagara 5-Pin Mixed Pro League season was a family affair of sorts as both Valerie Vallee and father Tim Dixon already seem to be in mid-season form.

Despite expecting her first child in November, Vallee wasn’t held back and started off with a stellar 378 single on her way to firing an 877 (252, 247) set to lead the Wine Place Whiners to a 3-0 blanking of the Lakeside Electrical Lightning.

She had support from Matt Kowalyk’s 696 (245, 226) and Trish Aubertin’s 683 (250, 254).

The Lightning answered with Tyler Wendel’s 707 (232, 263, 212) and Fern French’s 671 (236, 230).

Not to be outdone, Dixon bested his daughter by a few pins, rolling a sizzling 883 (321, 373) to spark the Host Pub & Grill Half Pints to a 2-1 win over the Town Criers.

Shawn Pellizari backed up Dixon’s effort with a solid 784 (331, 273).

The Town Criers shot back with Chris Disher’s 686 (209, 278) and John Wendel’s 641 (211, 227).

Elsewhere the Canucks knocked off the Piledrivers 2-1. Rob MacDonald led the way for the winners with 706 (217, 251, 238), while Rob Fisher was close behind contributing 697 (242, 246).

The Piledrivers replied with Chantal Papineau’s 714 (216, 296) and Jason Pendlebury’s 682 (255, 227).

In the evening’s final match the Pepperonis took two of three from the Ravens as Brian McFarlane paced the winners with 677 (244, 243) while getting help from Matt Vendittelli’s 668 (223, 224).

The Ravens returned fire with Rich Vassos’ 793 (353, 249), Paul Asselin’s 753 (245, 280) and P.J. Cole’s 721 (246, 281).