BREWER – While MacLaughlin Truck & Trailer of Nova Scotia widened its lead in one division, Maria’s Subs of Massachusetts took over in another at the World Team Candlepin Championship at Bangor-Brewer Bowling Lanes Wednesday.

MacLaughlin Truck & Trailer of Nova Scotia is still on top in the Varney GMC divisioin with a 42-6 record while Maria’s overtook previous leader Pelham/Benny Boys Pizza of Nova Scotia in the Holiday division with a 20-4 mark Wednesday to go 39-9 overall. Pelham was 16-8 and is now 36-12 overall.

In the Varney division, MacLaughlin’s holds a six-point lead over Park Place Lanes II of New Hampshire, which is 36-12. Home-town team Maine Heat, the 2001 champion, is third with 35-13. Maine Heat and Park Place II were the prime movers of the day as each won 22 of a possible 24 points.

In the Holiday Inn division, the New Hampshire All-Stars and Beazley’s Bowling Center of Nova Scotia are tied for third with a 32-16 marks. The leading Maine team in the division is USA East in seventh with a 23-25 mark.

MacLaughlin, the defending champion and winner of three of the last four world titles, has a pinfall of 11,159. John Zappi of Line-M-Up in Massachusetts had the individual high series (446) and Jeff McClain of Vacationland Bowling Center in Saco had the high average with 131.67 in the Varney division.

Maria’s total pinfall is 11,003. The Holiday Inn division high series bowler is Danny Harvey of Beazley’s with a 426 and the high average holder is Chris Sargent of USA East with 129.22.

The top five teams in each of the 12-team divisions qualify for the playoffs, which start Friday afternoon.