USA East closing in on a title

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – USA East moved into position for a divisional title in the third day of the World Team Candlepin Bowling Championships Thursday at Halifax Fairlanes.

USA East, which features Maine bowlers, has compiled a 58-14 record for the lead in the 12-team Ramada Hotel Division. They are closely followed by Total Chaos of New Hampshire and Massachusetts with a 52-20 record. With each team still able to win up to 16 points in today’s remaining two rounds, the division title is still up for grabs.

The division champs receive a bye through the first two rounds of the playoffs with the other eight teams competing in a round-robin playoff until only two remain. The first round of playoffs begin today at 3 p.m. with three rounds of playoffs on Saturday, including the championship round.

USA East was paced Thursday by Shawn Morrison of Brewer as he turned in series of 458, 404, and 393, including a high single of 170. Nate Nealey of Westbrook contributed with series of 417, 369, and 364, featuring a 177 high single.

Teammate Tim Matero of Rockland chipped in with a 430 series that included a high single of 187 while Chip Carson of Bangor added series of 378 and 352.

Borreilli’s of Methuen, Mass., leads the Coca-Cola Division with a 60-12 record while MacLaughlin’s Truck and Trailer of Nova Scotia is second at 58-14.

Dave Godwin, 18, paced Borrelli’s Thursday when he smashed the high-single record at Fairlanes with a 221. He had six strikes and three spares and finished with a 467 series, highest in the tourney.

Chris Hollett of MacLaughlin’s has the tourney’s high average at 139.2 per game, followed by Jeff Surette of Maria’s Sub in Scituate, Mass., at 137.2