MacLaughlin takes early lead Defending champ in charge; Saco squad second in division

BREWER – Defending champion MacLaughlin Truck & Trailer of Nova Scotia emerged in first place Tuesday after the opening day of World Team Candlepin Bowling Championships at the Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes.

MacLaughlin, which is playing in the Varney GMC division, finished the day with a 22-2 record and a pinfall of 5,629. MacLaughlin’s Chris Hollett led the tournament Tuesday with the individual high series (435) and individual high average (134).

Pelham/Benny Boys Pizza, also of Nova Scotia, leads the Holiday Inn division with a 20-4 record and a pinfall of 5,317. The top five teams in each of the 12-team divisions qualify for the playoffs.

Vacationland Bowling Center of Saco had the top finish of the Maine teams Tuesday, emerging with a 20-4 record in the Varney GMC division. Vacationland had the team-high single score of 689.

Maine Heat, the 2001 champion, stands in seventh place in the Varney GMC division with a 13-11 record. In the Holiday Inn division, Midcoast Maine of Rockland (14-10) is seventh, Frito-Lay/Getchell Ice of Brewer (6-18) is ninth and USA East, the team led by Brewer’s Charlie Milan III, is 10th with a 5-19 record.

Dick O’Connell of Maine Heat averaged a 130, which tied with two others for second-highest average.

Steve Renaud, who bowls for Line-M-Up of Massachusetts, recorded a 189 for the top individual string of the day.