HARLEY'S SIMI BOWL

champs Austin Thompson and Leah Zweig

        Austin Thompson and Leah Zweig claimed exciting titles in JBT Southern California Conference action at Harley's Simi Bowl.

        Bowlers competed in the action-packed 'rising tide' format, where the lowest total pinfalls are eliminated in ever-increasing numbers until only the champ isn't washed away.  A low scratch turnout meant a quickly rising tide, and five bowlers were eliminated to just two in round three as Austin Thompson held on to his lead, but Kirk Chui fired a big game to get in shouting distance.

        Rising Tide also involves a lifeline of a bonus for the high game, and the 40 pin bonus up for grabs meant that Kirk had to win by 26 pins in the final game to pass Austin's total.  Chui, in search of his first scratch title, charged hard, but a tenth frame strike from Thompson sealed the deal.  Chui finished at +168, while Austin carded +183, hanging on for the sixth title of his JBT career.

        A good handicap turnout meant more rounds, and it took until round six for seven survivors to be cut all the way down to two, and that round also saw a lead change, as Leah Zweig caught up and passed Secilia Kalvelage, who had been bowling brilliantly in leading since game two of the event.   The final game scenario left Secilia needing to win by 25 pins after handicap to take the event back away from Leah.  In a well-bowled final game, Kalvelage outscored Zweig 217-214, but that win plus the 60-pin lifeline bonus wasn't quite enough to catch up, and the +354 to +333 advantage for Leah was good for a long awaited first title of her JBT career.

        Ashley Dunn backed up her fourth place finish in the main tournament with a win over Kalvelage for the day's Women's Series title, expanding her lead in the So Cal girls points race.

        Big thanks to the crew at Simi for spreading the word about our event and hosting it very well.  Want in on all the excitement?  Just check out our schedule and come on down!