Commander's Trophy League: 552nd CG survives close match with Fire Dawgs

Published Feb. 22, 2008
By John E. Banks
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The 552nd Communications Group (CG) put their No. 1 ranking on the line when they squared off against the Fire Dawgs at the Tinker Bowling Center on Feb 13. In the end, , the league leaders, 552nd CG outlasted their game opponents 3192-3138.
   In the first game, both teams had difficulty getting on track in the early frames of the game. The 90-pin handicap advantage by the Fire Dawgs enabled them to get out to an early advantage through the first three frames. Newton and teammate Steven Holekamp led the charge with five strikes between them.
   In the middle frames of the game, Holekamp continued his torrid pace with another three strikes giving his side an 893-812 through the ninth frame.
   "Every time we make a surge, the Fire Dawgs match us," said Brett Biddle, third bowler for the 552nd CG.
   Biddle tried his might best to rally his troops in the 10th frame. He rolled a turkey. The difference in the first game was the additional 75-pin handicap for 552nd CG bowler James Brown. That additional pin count enabled the CG to capture game one by a mere 45 pins.
   "Our team bowled well in spots, however, to continue our success we have to bowl much better," said Biddle.
   Holekamp continued his torrid bowling in the early stages of the second game. He started the game with seven consecutive strikes. This awesome display of bowling enabled the Fire Dawgs to have a lead of 756-721, heading into the eighth frame.
Biddle and fellow 552nd CG bowler Kevin Grice tried to reel in their opponents. They were able to combine for four strikes in the eighth and ninth frames narrowing to gap to 987-976.
   The Fire Dawgs trio of James Quivey, Holekamp, and Newton squelched the rally by throwing five strikes between them in the 10th frame to give their side a hard fought 1115-102 victory.
   In the final game saw the 552nd CG side try to turn the tide of the match. Biddle took his team on his back and his right arm led them to a huge victory. Biddle rolled a career best eight strikes in a row giving the 552nd CG an unsurpassed lead. The great display led the 552nd to 1016-1001 win.
   "The win by the 552nd CG record improved its record to 114.0-62.0, while the loss dropped the Fire Dawgs to 70.0-106.0 on the season.