Maine Heat still hold lead

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – Three Maine Heat bowlers rolled in the top five of high series scores Thursday to propel the team to a three-game sweep of MacLaughlin’s Truck and Trailer of Halifax in the third day of the World Team Candlepin Bowling Championships at Halifax Fairlanes.

Maine Heat posted game victories of 731-683, 623-599, 704-680 for a 2,055-1,962 to sweep eight points from MacLaughlin’s.

Tim Matero of Rockland posted a 447 high series and Dick O’Connell of Brockton, Mass., and Shawn Morrison of Brewer each had highs of 442 to pace the Heat. Keith White of Fun Time Lanes of Holyoke, Mass., had the best series overall with a 460.

Maine Heat (64-8) holds an eight-game lead over Maria’s Sub of Scituate, Mass., in the Coca-Cola Division as they head into the final round of qualifying today. Mid-Coast Maine of Rockland sits 10th.

Moncton Storm of Moncton, New Brunswick, leads the Ramada Hotel division with a 56-16 record, two games ahead of Park Place Lanes II of New Hampshire. USA East (34-38) of Maine is in eighth and Vacationland (22-50) of Saco is 11th.

Matt Cormier of Moncton Storm led the single-game high Thursday with a 187.

Round-robin play in the tournament ends today followed by the first round of playoff action.

The final three playoff rounds are set for Saturday. Bowlers are competing in three three-string daily matches with semifinals and the final scheduled for Saturday.