That's A Wrap
Forever Young Closes Books On 2013

South Glens Falls - Leftover hammered Boston Strong Balls 4-0 in the meaningless final chapter of this summer's Forever Young season on Thursday afternoon at Kingpin's Alley. Ray Davignon's 543 and partner Chuck Winney's 518 proved too much for the recently-crowned champs to overcome. BSB ended up with a 39-21 overall record, 1½ clear of Leftover.

Don Williams led the Tomahawks to a 3-1 win over the Sir Bills with 180-233-213 for 626. The win secured the Tommie's third-place standing. Roy Brady assisted with 187-504.

Mark Basso again flirted with 600, shooting 228-236-599 for the defending champ Yanks in their 3-1 beat-down of the Gutter Dusters. Ellen Marcantonio put 221 at the end of her 543. Chuck Boykin had a steady yet unflattering 524 with teammate Bob George close behind with 213-520.

The seven teams from fourth place to tenth finished within a point-and-a-half of each other. In order: Sir Bills, BCs, The Singers, Last Dance, Lady Slippers, The Last Two and the Marauders.

Williams took the high average crown for the fourth consecutive season with 204. Brady slid just under 200 to finish at 199. Davignon closed at 191.

The league average for the year was 151.

Tomahawks (33½-26½) final season totals:

Bowler	Games	Total Pins	Single	Series	600+	200+	Average
Roy Brady	42	8,368	263	703	8	18	199
Don Williams	45	9,189	253	672	9	21	204

Forever Young standings and stats can be accessed here.

It's Over; Boston Strong Balls Prevail
Wrap Up FY Title With Sweep

Patrick Scanlan, Tracy Clemmons

South Glens Falls - Tracy Clemmons finished the second game with a five-bagger for 212 as Boston Strong Balls clinched the 2013 Forever Young league championship Thursday afternoon at Kingpin's Alley. The early wrap-up was achieved by their opponents (The Last Two) not showing up, forcing BSB to win three points against the blind - which they accomplished with style, going 4-0 to run their overall record to a gaudy 39-17. That's 5½ in front of Leftover, and with one week to go (four points available), that's all she wrote. Tracy ended his day with 532.

Cameron Mitchell subbed for Roy Brady with the league's best effort, a 665 on games of 192, 220 and 253. Ray Davignon was steady with 188-180-180 for 548. Don Williams was saddled with 10-pin-itis, missing an uncharacteristic half-dozen (out of many) in a 537. Floyd Butler had 208-529, Mark Basso 236-526 and Chuck Boykin 503.

Next Thursday's position round has serious standings implications, but not for the top two spots. The Tomahawks, Sir Bills and The Last Two are all knotted at 30½-25½. BCs and the Marauders are next with 29-27; The Singers and the Lady Slippers are an even .500 (28-28); and Fire And Ice and Last Dance are one in back of that.

Williams' average fell to 203. Mitchell has averaged 215 in his five relief roles.

Boston Strong Balls On Brink Of Title
Lead By 4½ With Two Weeks Left

South Glens Falls - Tracy Clemmons converted a critical 10-pin spare in the tenth frame of the final game on Thursday afternoon, dredging up a huge point in the standings for Boston Strong Balls. Their 2-2 draw against the BYE team left them at 35-17, 4½ points clear of The Last Two and Leftover with two sessions remaining (8 available points).

Next week, The Last Two and BSB hook up down at the southern end of Kingpin's Alley in a contest that could clinch a title - or, put the upper standings in turmoil for the final matches.

The Last Two beat the defending champion Yanks 3-1 behind anchor Richard Minor's 170-493 that offset Mark Basso and his 200-193-552. Leftover and the Lady Slippers went mano-a-womano as Ray Davignon fired 213-561 to best Mickey Michels 3-1.

The Tomahawks were upset by the Marauders 3-1 as nemesis Audrey Baker and partner Roger Nelligan took the first and third games, along with total pins. Don Williams had a league-high 672 on games of 193, 245 and 234 as the Tommies slipped into fourth place, 5½ behind and a tough match next Thursday facing Fire And Ice.

The Marauders and BCs are each seven in arrears and the math won't work with so many teams in front of them. The BCs are involved with Leftover in Week 14, another marquee match.

Roy Brady (554), Bob George (543) and Chuck Boykin (500) had the circuit's other 500 or better sets. Williams improved to 205 and virtually wrapped up the average crown; Brady fell a pin to 201.

BSB Rebounds With Sweep; Toms Crawl Into Second
Brady Nets Lone 600; Butler, Williams Close

BSB (left) against the field

South Glens Falls - The Forever Young standings took a bit of a turn Thursday afternoon. Boston Strong Balls, leading the league for a dozen weeks, snapped its recent slump behind anchor Tracy Clemmons (201-200-557) to sweep the Lady Slippers. The win pushed their record to 33-15 with three weeks remaining.

The recently red-hot (10-2 over three sessions) Tomahawks defeated the Sir Bills 3-1 to climb into second place, 4½ points behind. Roy Brady (215-603) and Don Williams (212-598) provided the firepower.

The Toms jumped over Leftover and The Last Two. Leftover could only get one point against the BYE team (Ray Davignon flew solo to 193-178-530), while The Last Two were getting walloped by C&P. Paul Pribis tallied 194-480 in the shutout.

Floyd Butler had the day's near-miss with 599 on games of 213, 198 and 188. Fire And Ice won the opener, then fell 3-1 against The Singers as Joe Sycuro had another standout performance, putting 192 and 228 at the end of a 558 series.

Chuck Boykin (221-213-581) and Bob George (210-523) pulled the BCs to a 2-2 draw versus the always-tough Yanks. Mark Basso (183-198-502) and Mom Ingrid (182-151-470) came from behind in the finale to gain the split.

A dozen points remain available in a most competitive season. The Toms lead Leftover and The Last Two by a point, with the BCs another 1½ back. The Singers, Marauders and Lady Slippers are all knotted at 25-23.

Williams still heads up the average race at 204, with Brady at 203.

Next week: Boston Strong Balls vs. the BYE; Tomahawks vs. Marauders; Leftover vs. Lady Slippers.

Tide Has Turned In Forever Young; BSB Keeps Falling
Brady (669), Williams (609) Pull Toms Closer

Even Carnac is stumped...

South Glens Falls - The season-long-leading Boston Strong Balls continue to slide back to the pack in the Forever Young league, dropping a 3-1 decision to Leftover on Thursday afternoon at Kingpin's Alley. Patrick Scanlan and partner Tracy Clemmons eked out a 3-pin win in the opener and then fell to the ultra-smooth duo of Chuck Winney and Ray Davignon. Winney posted 198-548 and Davignon 215-561. The winners are presently just 2½ points behind, sitting in third place.

Runner-up The Last Two also lost 3-1 to the BC's as Chuck Boykin crushed a 221-245-168 for 634. Mac Brill and Richard Minor are now one game clear of Leftover as the weeks wind down.

The Tomahawks kept rolling along with a 3-1 win over the Gutter Dusters. Roy Brady posted a league-best 669 on games of 212, 221 and 236 while anchor Don Williams assisted with 220, 205 and 184 for 609. The Tommies are fourth, only 3½ out.

Cameron Mitchell flew solo for the Lady Slippers and provided a 4-0 sweep of the BYE team with a fine 214-214-231 for 659. Joe Sycuro bounced back strong from some recent sub-par outings with an outstanding 586 on games of 216, 165 and 205, prodding The Singers to a 3-1 victory over Last Dance.

Floyd Butler put 204 and 232 in front of a 598 for Fire And Ice in their 3-1 nod over the Head Pins.

Brady closed in on Williams in the average race, which now stands at 204-203 for Williams.

Next week: Boston Strong Balls vs. the Lady Slippers are the top matchup. Four weeks (16 available points) remain in what has turned from a BSB runaway into a most exciting race for the crown.