N.B. bowler sets the pace
70th New Brunswick men's candlepin team championship continues in Moncton
Candlepin bowling is all about making a statement, again, again and again, and Woodstock's youthful B.J, Hamilton is being heard loud and clear.
Hamilton, 24, rose to the challenge and captured the International Candlepin Bowling Association men's singles championship last fall in Portsmouth, N.H.
He rolled a starry 10-string total of 1,258 (139, 123, 120, 156, 142, 112, 119, 107, 109, 131) and defeated Gary Carrington of New Hampshire, Chris Sargent of Massachusetts and Jeffrey McLean of Maine for the heralded honour.
Now, Hamilton's Woodstock Bowlacade roster is setting a torrid pace in the 70th New Brunswick men's team championship at the Moncton Fairlanes Bowling Centre here.
It's been 60 years since a Woodstock entry has emerged as champion and Hamilton claims his roster is a determined crew.
"We reached the finals last year and got our butts-kicked,'' he laughs. "This time we'd like to go all the way.''
This is the 70th annual event and a Woodstock entry called the Blake's won the very first title back in 1939. Then, they won for a second time in 1948.
Woodstock teams have emerged victorious in the New Brunswick B Classic, an event for teams from alleys with 12 lanes of less, several times.
"We know how to win so we have to go out and make the big step at this event,'' says Hamilton.
As for the international title, Hamilton, whose first names are William John, claims that's been the highlight of his career thus far.
"You don't expect to do something like that so it feels good,'' he said.
Joining Hamilton on the Woodstock roster is Peter and Darryl Kidney, Randy Johnston, Justin Jones, Kirk Kennedy and Freddie Tofflemire.
In the early going, six of the seven players on the roster sported averages of 118 and higher.
They're a solid team and they want to win but Hamilton claims fun and enjoying the week is what the experience is all about.
"Ask anybody, our team has a lot of fun. We like to hoop and holler, laugh it up,'' he says.
He might be a world champ, but Hamilton claims his team-mates keep him well-glued to the floor.
"One game I'll be the anchor, the next I'll be out or at some other position,'' he says. "We like to move things around. I guess that's another part of the fun. We enjoy the camaraderie. We don't get down on each other. Instead, when things are a little rough we try to pick each other up.''
Meanwhile, Woodstock Bowlacade remains atop the standings with an impressive 86-10 record.
They are followed by the Campbellton Lions in second place with a 72-24 record and Moncton Fairlanes It'z Begun in third at 71-25.
Sitting at 68-28 are defending champion Moncton Ray Cormier Trucking, Riverview Parklanes and Moncton Fairlanes Gunz.
Other teams with winning records are Moncton O'Brien's T & M at 67-29, Mrs. Dunsters Titans at 62-34, Saint John Vipers at 61-35, Saint John Shock at 61-35, Kingswood Hitmen at 61-35 and Rogers Communication at 58-38.
Brian Bernatchez of the Campbellton Lions has taken over the high average race with a 131.36 mark, followed by Eric McGuigan of Ray Cormier Trucking at 128.67 and Trevor Smith of Riverview Parklanes at 128.65.
The tournament team high single of 702 has been rolled by Ray Cormier Trucking while the top team double of 1,325 has also been tossed by Ray Cormier Trucking.
Mark O'Laughlin of Fairlanes Gunz holds the tourney top high single with a 177. Serge Babin of the Campbellton Lions is second with a 176. The tourney high double of 324 has been tossed by Andy Babineau of Mrs. Dunsters. Scott Estabrooks of Fairlanes Gunz is next at 323.
The championship, sponsored by Moosehead Breweries, runs through Saturday.
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