Today we bowled 6 games to determine the top 7 (scratch) which will go back tomorrow to bowl another 8 to determine the medalists.

Coming into the tournament, I didn't think I'd have much of a chance, and my only goal was to not finish last. But when I got to the center I learned that there were only 13 people in my division (boys 15-17), compared to 20 last year. But I still couldn't get my hopes up too high, since that house seems to really hate me and the pins just don't fall.

Anyway, the first game started as I expected, which was slowly. Splits plus missed makeable spares combined with a lack of strikes gave me a 130. Not only was I well below average, but this was the real deal so no help from pins over average either.

Next game was better. Hit the pocket, made spares, but still couldn't carry well. Ended up with 163.

Moved pairs for the 3rd game. Started okay but missed spares that I shouldn't have and finished with a 141.

Finished the first half with a 434 series, good for 10th and well out of the cut. With that, I started making plans for tomorrow that didn't involve the bowling center...

Next game was an adventure. I went 72 9/ 9/ 9/ 9/ 9/ 9- 9/ 7/ XX9. 7 9-counts in a row!!! Jeez... can't I have one good break? 179 isn't that bad, it's just that the strikes just aren't coming. I really need a run if I were to have any chance.

We moved pairs again, and fortunately the pins finally carried. Went 183-208 for the last 2 games to finish with a 6-game total of 1004, 167.33 average. Over the last 3 games I managed to jump 5 spots to finish in 5th, meaning that I'll head to my "home" center tomorrow to bowl 8 more games to determine final standings and medals. The winner goes to represent BC at the national championships. Not that I have a chance, though. I was well over 100 pins behind the leader today, and there's no reason that won't happen again tomorrow. Oh well, whatever happens tomorrow I would have my best finish ever in a provincial scratch tournament, so I'm satisfied.

What I noticed:

The shot is nothing like they said it would be like (42 foot heavy oil sport pattern). 42 feet, maybe, but definitely not heavy. For my last 3 games I resorted to throwing straight at the headpin and hopefully cleaning up spares.

I had some major issues with the thumb sticking. I tried some rubbing alcohol but it still wasn't totally resolved. It got so bad with my spare ball that I had to throw spares with a reactive ball.

The pillar on the last pair still got in my way quite a bit, but not as much as I had expected. I did miss one single-pin spare (the one that ended my streak of 5 9-spares) because of that thing throwing off my balance, though.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's recap.