Rivals face off in bowling action

  • Published
  • By John E. Banks
  • Tinker Public Affairs
The much anticipated match up between the second place team, Hellifino, and their arch nemesis, Fire Dawgs, took place at the Tinker Bowling Center on Oct. 10.
   The resulting outcome was a thrilling match with Hellifino coming out on top 3433-3125 and keeping their second place spot in the season standings.
Before the match got started, friendly banter was exchanged between both teams.
   "When they come into the Fire Dawgs house, we are going to take a bite out of crime," said Donald Harsley.
   "Yeah, you best not trip over your fire hoses on the lanes tonight," said Dennis March.
   "We enjoy the rivalry and it is a lot of fun to joke around with each other and have some friendly competition," said Traci Applebee, team captain of the Hellifino squad.
   There were some additional sub plots to this intriguing match. The Fire Dawgs have the league president, Billy Newton; while the Hellifino squad has the league secretary, Applebee and Sergeant-at-Arms, March. Additionally, there is the rivalry between the Fire Dawgs, who are all Tinker firefighters and the group of three retired members of the Hellifino squad, who are former security forces members.
   Game one of this match got off to a slow start with both teams feeling the pressure.
   "I tried to slow my swing down, however the ball is just not going where I want it to," said Newton.
   The score was nip and tuck through the first seven frames of the game with Hellifino holding a slight 810-790 advantage.
   The five members of the Fire Dawgs rallied behind each other and pulled out a hard fought 1041-1034 first game victory.
   "Our key to victory in game one that we all stepped it up a notch and our teamwork enabled us to gain a close win," said Steve Holekamp.
   The second game was a no-holds-barred affair with the expert bowling of Hellifino members, March and Dan Giardot leading the charge. Every time the Fire Dawgs mounted a serious challenge, these two bowlers matched them strike for strike and spare for spare. The final outcome of the game was not close as Hellifino won in convincing fashion, 1377 - 1343.
   "We bowled really well in game one, but the handicap of our opposition was the difference. In game two we put it all together for a spectacular win," said Applebee.
   The intensity heated up in game three of this exciting match. Both teams were poised to claim the top prize for the match.
   "Let's go, we have the talent and ability to take full command of this match," said March.
   The Hellifino squad got off to an early lead through the first three frames holding a commanding 310-195 advantage behind the power bowling of March and Karl Dooley. They both ran streaks of consecutive strikes on multiple frames giving them an early advantage and they never looked back.
   The onslaught continued, although the Fire Dawgs mounted a late game challenge, the strikes of the Hellifino squad just kept piling up.
   "That is the way we do it and I am here for you guys," said March.
   The Hellifino took two of three games from the Fire Dawgs and gaining the total pin advantage running their season record to 34.0 - 14.0, while the loss dropped the Fire Dawgs season record to 18.0 - 30.0.