MacLaughlin wins team bowling title

BREWER – MacLaughlin Truck & Trailer outlasted another Nova Scotia team, Beazley’s Bowling Center, on Saturday to win its third consecutive World Team Candlepin Bowling Championship at the Bangor-Brewer Lanes.

With the win, MacLaughlin becomes only the second four-time champion since the event began in 1985, having previously won titles in 1999, 2002, and 2003. Marjam Supply of Massachusetts won championships in 1985, ’86, ’87, and ’88.

The MacLaughlin team of Tim Carrigan, Tony MacLaughlin, Pat Birchill, Davey Somerton, Sean O’Flaherty, Chris Hollett, and Rob Henderson earned the $10,000 first prize by defeating Beazley’s 1,856-1,830 in the three-string, total-pinfall championship round.

Henderson was the top individual bowler in the finals, rolling strings of 134, 124, and 147. Hollett was next at 379 on strings of 130, 147, and 102.

MacLaughlin advanced to the championship round by defeating Pelham Electric/Benny Boys Pizza of Nova Scotia on Saturday in a tight semifinal 1,900-1,884, with Hollett (412 series) and O’Flaherty (402) leading the way. Pelham held an 11-pin lead entering the final string, but MacLaughlin outscored its Nova Scotian counterparts 649-622 to scratch out the win.

Shawn Bernard had a 432 series for Pelham.

Beazley’s also had a close call in the semifinals, edging Maria’s Subs of Massachusetts 1,868-1,850. Beazley’s trailed 652-628 after the first string, but won the second string 637-587 to take enough of a lead to hold on for the win.

Harvey (415 series) and O’Laughlin (413) paced Beazley’s, while Craig Holbrook’s 388 led Maria’s Subs.

Both Maria’s Subs and Pelham earned $2,500 for reaching the semifinals.

In Saturday’s quarterfinals, Pelham’s defeated W.A.F.U. of Nova Scotia 1,905-1,786, while Beazley’s edged Park Place Lanes II of New Hampshire 1,787-1,765.