The fourth week of Fall 2024 brought more than just shifting tides in the standings—it carried the weight of dreams realized and dashed, all beneath a bright full moon that watched over the lanes. As the pins fell, so did hopes, while others soared higher than ever before. JoAnne Barber claimed this week's high game (151) and series (393) for the woman, while Aaron Barber delivered this week’s high game (227) and series (610) for the men, their performances shining under the lunar glow. Meanwhile, the games themselves were partially eclipsed by the arrival of the Tournament of Champions, igniting 13 weeks of head-to-head bowling drama. But that was just the beginning of the night’s tale. Read on for the gripping details, and be sire to check your Bingo results too!

The pin thieves got away with it too, despite those meddling dolphins.

First up, on lanes 1 & 2: Sun Dolphins faced off against Stealing Pins in the Burrows. The night turned dark for the Dolphins, with Ryan Sisco’s subpar 363 series offering little solace as they were swept away by the relentless Pin Thieves. JoAnne Barber, with her 393 series, led the charge for Stealing Pins, and her team reveled in the thrill of sweeping their opponents under the moon’s watchful eye. Sun Dolphins, unable to navigate their way out of the current, stayed stranded in 4th place, while Pin Thieves, boosted by their perfect performance, clung to 5th.

(And if anyone noticed the JC Cox score of 38 in game 3 — no, he did not set a new record for lowest men's game. He had to leave after game 2 and a kid who was hanging out watching played for fun in his place for game 3. JC's blind score was used in the official record for this game.)

The angry Squids crushed the Tang.

On lanes 3 & 4, the battle between Scootytang and Squid Row was a test of endurance and skill. Despite the fiery efforts of #1 Head-to-Head bowler Aaron Barber, who lit up the lanes with a 610 series, Scootytang could only grasp a single win in their match against the slippery Squid. Across the lane, Matthew Taylor’s 575 series, paired with the dominance of #1 Power-Ranked Dennis Walling, helped Squid Row sink their tentacles into 3 crucial wins. As the lanes cooled, Scootytang crept up to 2nd place, but Mmmm Calimari held firm at the top, reigning supreme beneath the luminous night.

The Sausages showed their stuff on the lanes and filled Bowls Deep with the meat of their bowling skill.

Finally, on lanes 5 & 6: Scooter's Succulent Sausages™ pounded Bowls Deep, and the Sausages demonstrated that their casings are packed with the finest meat and well-seasoned succulent flavor. AJ Hofmann’s impressive 542 series, coupled with Most Valuable Bowler Scott Murdock’s unwavering Scooter Precision®, ensured a sweet sweep over their rivals. The cheers from the Sausagemakers echoed long after the pins fell, their spirits as high as the full moon overhead. On the other side, Kent Harms’ valiant 459 series couldn’t save Bowls Deep from sinking into a full sweep loss, leaving them devastated as they dropped to 3rd place. Despite their sweep Scooter’s Succulent Sausages™ maintained their spot in 6th, but with a renewed sense of meaty purpose and hope that, like tonight's full moon, their stint in last place will soon be just a past phase.

Bowlers passing up the partial lunar eclipse to instead hang out in The 200 Club include: Aaron Barber (216,227), Ben Spencer (200), Dennis Walling (207,213), and Matthew Taylor (205,221)

JoAnne Barber earned both this season's women's high game and series with her 151 and 393, respectively.

In this week's Tournament of Champions brackets: Nobody claimed victory in Division 1 (though Matthew Taylor came closest), while Scott Murdock staked a claim for the Iron Throne in Division 2. Jeremy Varnell ruled Division 3, and Chris Lenz conquered Division 4. In terms of overall points: Matthew Taylor runs the show in Division 1; Scott Murdock reigns over Division 2; Jeremy Varnell leads Division 3; and Chris Lenz holds the reins in Division 4.

NEXT WEEK:

• First, on lanes 1&2, 1st-place Squid Row will throw some gutter balls with 3rd-place Bowls Deep (hcp 123). Mmmm Calimari is expected to maintain their current strength as they sweep the series; while Bowls are forecast to drop their average a bit while they endure a rough night.
• Moving to lanes 3&4, 5th-place Stealing Pins in the Burrows (hcp 114) will share a couple of pitchers with 6th-place Scooter's Succulent Sausages™. Pin Thieves might dazzling and win the series; while Sausagemakers ought to drop their average a bit while they avoid getting swept.
• Finally, on lanes 5&6, 2nd-place Scootytang will hang out with 4th-place Sun Dolphins (hcp 130). Tang is predicted to maintain their current strength as they win the series; while Dolphins are anticipated to hold steady as they avoid getting swept.

^*(Remember, the predicted results above are based on mathematical extrapolations and can be changed by all sorts of factors. If you don't like how your team's results are predicted, you and your teammates have the power to prove the math wrong!)

THIS WEEK'S MVB Scott Murdock Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER Dennis Walling Runner Up: Chris Windham	#1 H2H BOWLER Aaron Barber Runner Up: Chris Windham
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "Do I need to find another way home?" Jim Koger, after realizing he was helping sweep the team that he rode with to bowling.