Europe glory after heroic Weber comeback
10/13/13
Cometh the hour cometh the man and this year it was Stuart Williams who delivered the telling balls to bring the 888.com Weber Cup back to Europe after a pulsating Sunday at the Barnsley Metrodome.
The Phoenix-based Williams beat American captain Chris Barnes 237-227 to give his side their 17th and final point after Europe mounted a stellar comeback on Sunday afternoon after being behind for most of the event. It was Europe's sixth win in the 14 years of the event, and after last year's drubbing at the hands of the Americans, was all the sweeter.
"I'm more than proud of them; they're a great team and we worked hard the whole weekend," said an emotional Mika Koivuniemi, the European captain.
"We were behind on Friday but we never gave up and worked hard to make the adjustments we needed. Yes, we were the underdogs but when you work hard anything is possible," he added.
"It was fantastic but I'm lost for words, which is a rarity for me," said a normally garrulous Williams.
"Once I got the strike in fifth it relaxed me and I felt a bit confident with the line and then crowd started to get going."
After a roistering Sunday afternoon session when they won five of the six matches, the Europeans entered the final evening with a two point lead. That didn't last too long though as the Americans won their first Baker match of the event at an opportune time, and then Bill O'Neill lived up to his 'Real Deal' nickname with a blistering performance against Stuart Williams to level it up at 13-13.
The team match was a stuttering affair as the US hung on for a 19 pin victory but there was nothing nervy about O'Neill. Only a recalcitrant 10-pin with the second ball of the tenth frame halted his march towards the third 300 game of the event, but he was delighted to have got his side back on level terms.
With both teams now four away from victory, every match was of huge significance and Tommy Jones got off to a stinker in the next as he left frames one and two open. Euro captain Mika Koivuniemi took advantage as he moved into a hefty lead but faltering play combined with a resurgence from Jones, took the match to the final frame.
The veteran Finn finally fell over the line as he struck with his last ball to win by a single pin and then let fly with some fist pumping.
'The Moose' was back out on the lane for the next as he faced Mike Fagan. With so much at stake they both stuck with each other before Koivuniemi left a 7/10 split in the seventh frame which was open. He finished with four strikes and a 9 to make Fagan have to win it and that he did that, knocking down the final pin for a 234-233 victory.
"I wanted to try and focus on what I was doing and not worry about the situation," said a relieved Fagan.
"I wanted to make good shots down the stretch and that I did. I can't lie, it's not easy but you have to focus and try and make the shot and block out everything else."
Dom Barrett won yet another point as he beat Bill O'Neill in another squeaker. A run of five strikes in the middle part of the game carried the Brit through to a 16 pin lead.
"It's been a really good weekend for me personally, but it's about being a team" said Barrett.
"We had some issues early on but it's full steam ahead now. Friday was very hard after last year and it brought back some sore memories. We didn't want it to go that way again so we dug in."
Martin Larsen and Tommy Jones were next up and the early part of the match was something of a shocker. The Swede left a 7/10 frame open to put himself at a huge disadvantage but Jones left the first and second open which left the crowd stunned.
Both players regained their composure and began to strike but a series of 9 spares from Larsen put Jones right back in it and, like a fair few of the matches at this year's Weber Cup, it went to the final frames where Larsen held out for victory and put Europe on the brink.
It was left to Stuart Williams, playing in his third 888.com Weber Cup - he was a winner in 2005 and a loser last year - to come up trumps and bring home the bacon for Team Europe.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-6 after 14 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
Session 5: USA 14 - 17 Europe
USA 215 - 196 Europe
Bill O'Neill 289 - 182 Stuart Williams
Tommy Jones 214 - 215 Mika Koivuniemi
Mike Fagan 234 - 233 Mika Koivuniemi
Bill O'Neill 220 - 236 Dom Barrett
Tommy Jones 204 - 216 Martin Larsen
Chris Barnes 227 - 237 Stuart Williams
2013 Weber Cup
Cometh the hour cometh the man and this year it was Stuart Williams who delivered the telling balls to bring the 888.com Weber Cup back to Europe after a pulsating Sunday at the Barnsley Metrodome.The Phoenix-based Williams beat American captain Chris Barnes 237-227 to give his side their 17th and final point after Europe mounted a stellar comeback on Sunday afternoon after being behind for most of the event. It was Europe's sixth win in the 14 years of the event, and after last year's drubbing at the hands of the Americans, was all the sweeter.
"I'm more than proud of them; they're a great team and we worked hard the whole weekend," said an emotional Mika Koivuniemi, the European captain.
"We were behind on Friday but we never gave up and worked hard to make the adjustments we needed. Yes, we were the underdogs but when you work hard anything is possible," he added.
"It was fantastic but I'm lost for words, which is a rarity for me," said a normally garrulous Williams.
"Once I got the strike in fifth it relaxed me and I felt a bit confident with the line and then crowd started to get going."
After a roistering Sunday afternoon session when they won five of the six matches, the Europeans entered the final evening with a two point lead. That didn't last too long though as the Americans won their first Baker match of the event at an opportune time, and then Bill O'Neill lived up to his 'Real Deal' nickname with a blistering performance against Stuart Williams to level it up at 13-13.
The team match was a stuttering affair as the US hung on for a 19 pin victory but there was nothing nervy about O'Neill. Only a recalcitrant 10-pin with the second ball of the tenth frame halted his march towards the third 300 game of the event, but he was delighted to have got his side back on level terms.
With both teams now four away from victory, every match was of huge significance and Tommy Jones got off to a stinker in the next as he left frames one and two open. Euro captain Mika Koivuniemi took advantage as he moved into a hefty lead but faltering play combined with a resurgence from Jones, took the match to the final frame.
The veteran Finn finally fell over the line as he struck with his last ball to win by a single pin and then let fly with some fist pumping.
'The Moose' was back out on the lane for the next as he faced Mike Fagan. With so much at stake they both stuck with each other before Koivuniemi left a 7/10 split in the seventh frame which was open. He finished with four strikes and a 9 to make Fagan have to win it and that he did that, knocking down the final pin for a 234-233 victory.
"I wanted to try and focus on what I was doing and not worry about the situation," said a relieved Fagan.
"I wanted to make good shots down the stretch and that I did. I can't lie, it's not easy but you have to focus and try and make the shot and block out everything else."
Dom Barrett won yet another point as he beat Bill O'Neill in another squeaker. A run of five strikes in the middle part of the game carried the Brit through to a 16 pin lead.
"It's been a really good weekend for me personally, but it's about being a team" said Barrett.
"We had some issues early on but it's full steam ahead now. Friday was very hard after last year and it brought back some sore memories. We didn't want it to go that way again so we dug in."
Martin Larsen and Tommy Jones were next up and the early part of the match was something of a shocker. The Swede left a 7/10 frame open to put himself at a huge disadvantage but Jones left the first and second open which left the crowd stunned.
Both players regained their composure and began to strike but a series of 9 spares from Larsen put Jones right back in it and, like a fair few of the matches at this year's Weber Cup, it went to the final frames where Larsen held out for victory and put Europe on the brink.
It was left to Stuart Williams, playing in his third 888.com Weber Cup - he was a winner in 2005 and a loser last year - to come up trumps and bring home the bacon for Team Europe.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-6 after 14 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
Session 5: USA 14 - 17 Europe
USA 215 - 196 Europe
Bill O'Neill 289 - 182 Stuart Williams
Tommy Jones 214 - 215 Mika Koivuniemi
Mike Fagan 234 - 233 Mika Koivuniemi
Bill O'Neill 220 - 236 Dom Barrett
Tommy Jones 204 - 216 Martin Larsen
Chris Barnes 227 - 237 Stuart Williams
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Europe four points from glory after Sunday afternoon blitz
It was a big Sunday afternoon indeed for Team Europe as they won five of the six matches to take a two point lead into the final session of the 2013 888.com Weber Cup. Having trailed throughout, they finally turned things around at the Barnsley Metrodome.
They won two singles, two doubles and a Baker match with only Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes' doubles win putting some red on the scoreboard. Europe now needs just four points to regain the 888.com Weber Cup, while the USA requires six.
The final match of the session saw the English pair of Stuart Williams and Dom Barrett sneak past Jones and Barnes in the final frame after Barnes tenth frame split proved their undoing.
"The fact that we could take a two point lead in to tonight's session pumped us up and kept really us loose and it was a huge point to win," said Williams.
Trailing by two going into the sessions, Europe got right back into the saddle after the disappointing ending to last night's session where they dropped the last two matches after drawing level at 8-8. They won the opening Baker match, their fourth Baker win out of four, by 47 pins.
America, though restored their two point lead in the next as the dream team of Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes capitalised on a couple of open frames from the Europeans to run out 235-191 winners.
"It worked out pretty good for us in the end. We struggled at the start and we were behind once early and I didn't like that. The goal is to never let them get back to even!" said Barnes.
That was to be the USA's last success of the afternoon and Barnes and Barrett were out once again in the next for their fourth singles game of the competition, with Barnes carrying a 2-1 lead into the match and a 772-709 total pinfall advantage.
This time though, it was Barrett's turn to win as he struck out to set a target. Needing a double and one pin, Barnes came up high in the tenth as he left the 6/10 standing to give Europe the win by 14 pins.
"I've bowled well this weekend and I always love coming here. I'm not as good as Tommy Jones on this lane but not many are," said Barrett.
"This lane changes so fast and it's only one game so it's huge and when you have to sit down and wait you really need to focus," he added.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
Europe got back on level terms in the next game as the Scandinavian pairing of Koivuniemi and Larsen took out Mike Fagan and Bill O'Neill by 246-202. An open third frame from the Americans put Europe in the driving seat and they kept their foot on the pedal to take the win.
A fatal error by Mike Fagan in the final frame of his match against Martin Larsen allowed Europe to take the lead for the first time since the opening match on Thursday evening.
It was a close game but Larsen's faltering finish meant that Fagan needed a spare then six to take the match. Amazingly, he left a 7/10 split which he couldn't convert as Larsen thanked his good fortune.
"99 times out of 100 Mike would take 9 or strike. I'm not going to give the point back though but I was lucky. Momentum comes and goes and it's with us now," said Larsen.
And in the final game Barrett and Williams held on to put their side in with a real chance of victory.
Play continues on Sunday evening to a conclusion.
Session 4: USA 11 - 13 Europe
USA 211-258 Europe
Jones / Barnes 235 - 191 Barrett / Larsen
Chris Barnes 243 - 257 Dominic Barrett
Fagan / O'Neill 202 - 246 Koivuniemi / Larsen
Mike Fagan 216 - 223 Martin Larsen
Jones / Barnes 221-232 Barrett / Williams
They won two singles, two doubles and a Baker match with only Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes' doubles win putting some red on the scoreboard. Europe now needs just four points to regain the 888.com Weber Cup, while the USA requires six.
The final match of the session saw the English pair of Stuart Williams and Dom Barrett sneak past Jones and Barnes in the final frame after Barnes tenth frame split proved their undoing.
"The fact that we could take a two point lead in to tonight's session pumped us up and kept really us loose and it was a huge point to win," said Williams.
Trailing by two going into the sessions, Europe got right back into the saddle after the disappointing ending to last night's session where they dropped the last two matches after drawing level at 8-8. They won the opening Baker match, their fourth Baker win out of four, by 47 pins.
America, though restored their two point lead in the next as the dream team of Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes capitalised on a couple of open frames from the Europeans to run out 235-191 winners.
"It worked out pretty good for us in the end. We struggled at the start and we were behind once early and I didn't like that. The goal is to never let them get back to even!" said Barnes.
That was to be the USA's last success of the afternoon and Barnes and Barrett were out once again in the next for their fourth singles game of the competition, with Barnes carrying a 2-1 lead into the match and a 772-709 total pinfall advantage.
This time though, it was Barrett's turn to win as he struck out to set a target. Needing a double and one pin, Barnes came up high in the tenth as he left the 6/10 standing to give Europe the win by 14 pins.
"I've bowled well this weekend and I always love coming here. I'm not as good as Tommy Jones on this lane but not many are," said Barrett.
"This lane changes so fast and it's only one game so it's huge and when you have to sit down and wait you really need to focus," he added.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
Europe got back on level terms in the next game as the Scandinavian pairing of Koivuniemi and Larsen took out Mike Fagan and Bill O'Neill by 246-202. An open third frame from the Americans put Europe in the driving seat and they kept their foot on the pedal to take the win.
A fatal error by Mike Fagan in the final frame of his match against Martin Larsen allowed Europe to take the lead for the first time since the opening match on Thursday evening.
It was a close game but Larsen's faltering finish meant that Fagan needed a spare then six to take the match. Amazingly, he left a 7/10 split which he couldn't convert as Larsen thanked his good fortune.
"99 times out of 100 Mike would take 9 or strike. I'm not going to give the point back though but I was lucky. Momentum comes and goes and it's with us now," said Larsen.
And in the final game Barrett and Williams held on to put their side in with a real chance of victory.
Play continues on Sunday evening to a conclusion.
Session 4: USA 11 - 13 Europe
USA 211-258 Europe
Jones / Barnes 235 - 191 Barrett / Larsen
Chris Barnes 243 - 257 Dominic Barrett
Fagan / O'Neill 202 - 246 Koivuniemi / Larsen
Mike Fagan 216 - 223 Martin Larsen
Jones / Barnes 221-232 Barrett / Williams
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USA take two point lead into final day
Day Two of the 2013 888.com Weber Cup ended with America carrying a two-point lead into the final day. After the carnage of the opening session which the USA won 5-1, it was definitely Europe's day as they won seven points to the American's five.
Having won the afternoon's games 4-2, the evening session was all square although Europe won their third consecutive Baker match to open the proceedings with a win and put themselves within a point of America.
That didn't last long though as Chris Barnes put in a captain's performance to beat Dom Barrett 268-204. A 7-spare in the second frame was Barnes' only blemish as he pounded out nine strikes for a comprehensive victory.
"It was going the wrong way since session two and that stopped them getting back to even," said Barnes.
"We were a lot more relaxed with a four point lead and we may have taken out foot off the pedal while they put theirs on it."
With the captains selecting their running orders in advance and without consultation, there was an unusual occurrence as Barnes and Barrett were drawn to play once again.
This time, the scores were reversed as the Englishman enjoyed a solid win as the American failed to repeat his earlier performance. That put Europe to within one of America at 7-8.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
With the Saturday night matches all singles, it was Mika Koivuniemi who put a disappointing early part of the Weber Cup behind him to record his fourth win of the day – including the two Baker victories.
He beat an out of sorts Bill O'Neill in a scrappy encounter in what was the lowest aggregate score of the event to date. It was the point that put Europe level for first time since 1-1 and it was also Europe's fifth win in six matches.
"Bill bowled a bad game which made my job easier. I know they will come at us in the last couple of matches but we'll keep fighting. We're in a great position with two matches to go and we have momentum on our side so hopefully we can use it," said the big Finn.
Stuart Williams had a great chance to put Europe ahead for the first time since the opening game of the event as he and Tommy Jones ran it close. The Englishman though derailed, leaving an open frame in the ninth to hand the match to Jones.
250-222 was the score and it was Jones' third singles win of the event, including his marvellous 300 game on the opening day.
The final match went right down to the final roll as Martin Larsen needed a strike or 9-spare to win but left a 2/10 split which he failed to convert. That gave Mike Fagan the unexpected victory by 188-179.
Neither bowler was at their best but it too close to call until Larsen's fatal mistake at the close.
Play continues at 1.00pm on Sunday afternoon with a Baker, three doubles and two singles matches.
Session 3: USA 10 - 8 Europe
USA 205 - 279 Europe
Chris Barnes 268 - 204 Dominic Barrett
Chris Barnes 204 - 249 Dominic Barrett
Bill O'Neill 168 - 215 Mika Koivuniemi
Tommy Jones 250 - 222 Stuart Williams
Mike Fagan 188 - 179 Martin Larsen
Having won the afternoon's games 4-2, the evening session was all square although Europe won their third consecutive Baker match to open the proceedings with a win and put themselves within a point of America.
That didn't last long though as Chris Barnes put in a captain's performance to beat Dom Barrett 268-204. A 7-spare in the second frame was Barnes' only blemish as he pounded out nine strikes for a comprehensive victory.
"It was going the wrong way since session two and that stopped them getting back to even," said Barnes.
"We were a lot more relaxed with a four point lead and we may have taken out foot off the pedal while they put theirs on it."
With the captains selecting their running orders in advance and without consultation, there was an unusual occurrence as Barnes and Barrett were drawn to play once again.
This time, the scores were reversed as the Englishman enjoyed a solid win as the American failed to repeat his earlier performance. That put Europe to within one of America at 7-8.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
With the Saturday night matches all singles, it was Mika Koivuniemi who put a disappointing early part of the Weber Cup behind him to record his fourth win of the day – including the two Baker victories.
He beat an out of sorts Bill O'Neill in a scrappy encounter in what was the lowest aggregate score of the event to date. It was the point that put Europe level for first time since 1-1 and it was also Europe's fifth win in six matches.
"Bill bowled a bad game which made my job easier. I know they will come at us in the last couple of matches but we'll keep fighting. We're in a great position with two matches to go and we have momentum on our side so hopefully we can use it," said the big Finn.
Stuart Williams had a great chance to put Europe ahead for the first time since the opening game of the event as he and Tommy Jones ran it close. The Englishman though derailed, leaving an open frame in the ninth to hand the match to Jones.
250-222 was the score and it was Jones' third singles win of the event, including his marvellous 300 game on the opening day.
The final match went right down to the final roll as Martin Larsen needed a strike or 9-spare to win but left a 2/10 split which he failed to convert. That gave Mike Fagan the unexpected victory by 188-179.
Neither bowler was at their best but it too close to call until Larsen's fatal mistake at the close.
Play continues at 1.00pm on Sunday afternoon with a Baker, three doubles and two singles matches.
Session 3: USA 10 - 8 Europe
USA 205 - 279 Europe
Chris Barnes 268 - 204 Dominic Barrett
Chris Barnes 204 - 249 Dominic Barrett
Bill O'Neill 168 - 215 Mika Koivuniemi
Tommy Jones 250 - 222 Stuart Williams
Mike Fagan 188 - 179 Martin Larsen
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Europe back in it after four wins
Team Europe got right back into the 888.com Weber Cup as they won four of the six Saturday afternoon matches to reduce arrears give themselves some real hope going into the evening session.
After taking a 5-1 pasting in the opening session, the whole side needed to dig in to strengthen their position in the three day transatlantic tenpin tussle.
"The whole team wanted to win this session 4-2 so we have to be happy after that," said European skipper Mika Koivuniemi.
"We have to keep it going though, so we're going to have something to eat and talk about how to play the lanes."
After suffering such devastation in the opening session it was critical that Europe got off to a winning start and they did just that, taking the opening Baker match by an 11 pin winning margin.
They made it two from two as home country boys Dom Barrett and Stu Williams kept ahead of the American pair of Mike Fagan and Tommy Jones to record a decent 32 pin and take the score to 5-3 in favour of the Americans.
Barratt's clinching strike sparked a joyous celebration as he went into the crowd, high-fiving anyone and everyone.
"To have so many friends and family here supporting us was disappointing for them too but pins seem to be falling for us today," said Barrett.
"We were livid last night, and really not happy. They bowled really well so can't take that away from them but we didn't have to say much to each other as we knew what we had to do today," he added.
"We were so far behind that we just loosened up. The lane pattern was a bit different and as they say, tomorrow's another day," said Williams.
That was the end of the European run though as Tommy Jones, who seems invincible in Weber Cup singles play, had a comfortable win over Stuart Williams to push the US lead to 6-3.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
The fourth match of the day was critical for Europe as they badly needed to bounce back but instead the Scandinavian pairing of Koivuniemi and Larsen took a beating, going down by a 71 pin margin to Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes.
Martin Larsen though, put that one behind him as he took Europe's first singles point with a 241-208 win over Bill O'Neill. That pulled the score back to 7-4 for the US and gave the Europeans some hope.
"That was an ice-breaker and you've got to start winning singles matches to win the Weber Cup. We had no choice but to step up," said Larsen.
The final match of the session went right down to the final frames and it was Europe who prevailed. Aside from the two Baker matches, Koivuniemi had suffered three straight defeats but he remedied that as along with Dom Barrett they defeated Tommy Jones and Bill O'Neill.
That cut the American lead from four at the start of the session down to just two with six more matches set for Saturday night.
Play continues Saturday evening at 6pm.
Session 2: USA 7 - 5 Europe
USA 213 - 224 Europe
Fagan / Jones 247 - 279 Barrett / Williams
Tommy Jones 234 - 193 Stuart Williams
Barnes / O'Neil 244 - 173 Koivuniemi / Larsen
Bill O'Neill 208 - 241 Martin Larsen
O'Neil / Jones 213 - 224 Barrett / Koivuniemi
After taking a 5-1 pasting in the opening session, the whole side needed to dig in to strengthen their position in the three day transatlantic tenpin tussle.
"The whole team wanted to win this session 4-2 so we have to be happy after that," said European skipper Mika Koivuniemi.
"We have to keep it going though, so we're going to have something to eat and talk about how to play the lanes."
After suffering such devastation in the opening session it was critical that Europe got off to a winning start and they did just that, taking the opening Baker match by an 11 pin winning margin.
They made it two from two as home country boys Dom Barrett and Stu Williams kept ahead of the American pair of Mike Fagan and Tommy Jones to record a decent 32 pin and take the score to 5-3 in favour of the Americans.
Barratt's clinching strike sparked a joyous celebration as he went into the crowd, high-fiving anyone and everyone.
"To have so many friends and family here supporting us was disappointing for them too but pins seem to be falling for us today," said Barrett.
"We were livid last night, and really not happy. They bowled really well so can't take that away from them but we didn't have to say much to each other as we knew what we had to do today," he added.
"We were so far behind that we just loosened up. The lane pattern was a bit different and as they say, tomorrow's another day," said Williams.
That was the end of the European run though as Tommy Jones, who seems invincible in Weber Cup singles play, had a comfortable win over Stuart Williams to push the US lead to 6-3.
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
The fourth match of the day was critical for Europe as they badly needed to bounce back but instead the Scandinavian pairing of Koivuniemi and Larsen took a beating, going down by a 71 pin margin to Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes.
Martin Larsen though, put that one behind him as he took Europe's first singles point with a 241-208 win over Bill O'Neill. That pulled the score back to 7-4 for the US and gave the Europeans some hope.
"That was an ice-breaker and you've got to start winning singles matches to win the Weber Cup. We had no choice but to step up," said Larsen.
The final match of the session went right down to the final frames and it was Europe who prevailed. Aside from the two Baker matches, Koivuniemi had suffered three straight defeats but he remedied that as along with Dom Barrett they defeated Tommy Jones and Bill O'Neill.
That cut the American lead from four at the start of the session down to just two with six more matches set for Saturday night.
Play continues Saturday evening at 6pm.
Session 2: USA 7 - 5 Europe
USA 213 - 224 Europe
Fagan / Jones 247 - 279 Barrett / Williams
Tommy Jones 234 - 193 Stuart Williams
Barnes / O'Neil 244 - 173 Koivuniemi / Larsen
Bill O'Neill 208 - 241 Martin Larsen
O'Neil / Jones 213 - 224 Barrett / Koivuniemi
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USA takes a 5-1 lead over Europe in opening session
Team USA continued from where they left off in 2012 as they completed the opening session of the 888.com Weber Cup with a 5-1 lead over their European opposition at the Metrodome in Barnsley, South Yorks. The evening though, was made by one of those once-in-a-lifetime sporting moments when the Americans made back-to-back 300 games courtesy of Chris Barnes and then Tommy Jones.
After taking a 17-7 hammering last year when they lost eight successive matches on the final day to go down by an event record losing margin of ten points, the Europeans settled their collective nerves as they edged the opening Baker match to take the first point.
However, American captain Chris Barnes produced a moment of pure magic as he put together a 300 game to beat Dominic Barrett and level things at 1-1.
He looked collected throughout but the critical tenth frame was light on the head pin but they all managed to fall and the next was similar. He nailed his final delivery to make just the fifth 300 game in Weber Cup history.
The other four were courtesy of Paul Moor for Europe in 2006, and Tommy Jones in 2007, '08 and '09.
"It's a great feeling I had a couple of lucky breaks that changed things," said Barnes.
"I wouldn't have guessed before it started but knew Dom could get to 250. It means we're 1-1 because we didn't want to get down too early and you never want to be far behind. Maybe I'll have a pint somewhere along the line!"
In an extraordinary turn of events, the Americans scored consecutive 300 games as Tommy Jones made his fourth max in Weber Cup history to beat Mika Koivuniemi and take the USA into the lead.
After four maximums in 13 years of Weber Cup, the prospect of two in two games seemed distant but Barnes and then Jones were the men to do it as they stunned the Europeans and drew a standing ovation from the Metrodome crowd.
"There's something about this lane and the crowds in Barnsley! It's moose hunting season back in the States so you've got to kill the moose early. Dom Barrett inspired me as they start talking really early but they go quiet very quickly!"
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
Martin Larsen, making a second appearance after his debut in 2009, looked in with a shout against Mike Fagan, but the American just had enough in the closing stages to run out a winner by 22 pins.
That put the Americans 3-1 ahead and that soon became 4-1 after Bill O'Neill beat Stuart Williams by 225-204 to leave the Europeans reeling.
"I threw some bad shots but the rest were solid and I can build on that for the rest of weekend," said O'Neill.
"That's the best start I've ever had at the Weber; I hit the headpin twice in the Baker and bowled pretty well there."
The final match was a must-win for Europe as both captains were allowed to select who went out for the opposition. Barnes chose his opposite number, Koivuniemi, who looked a tad under-powered in his earlier outing in the evening, while the European captain went for Mike Fagan.
It was a close match but Koivuniemi left a dreaded open frame – a 7/10 split - in the eighth which allowed Fagan to inch ahead. The Finn left another in the tenth but miraculously took them both out. It wasn't enough though as Fagan struck in the tenth to secure the point.
Play continues Saturday afternoon at 1pm.
Session 1: USA 5 - 1 Europe
USA 226 - 257 Europe
Chris Barnes 300 - 256 Dominic Barrett
Tommy Jones 300 - 225 Mika Koivuniemi
Mike Fagan 228 - 206 Martin Larsen
Bill O'Neil 225 - 204 Stuart Williams
Mike Fagan 217 - 196 Mika Koivuniemi
After taking a 17-7 hammering last year when they lost eight successive matches on the final day to go down by an event record losing margin of ten points, the Europeans settled their collective nerves as they edged the opening Baker match to take the first point.
However, American captain Chris Barnes produced a moment of pure magic as he put together a 300 game to beat Dominic Barrett and level things at 1-1.
He looked collected throughout but the critical tenth frame was light on the head pin but they all managed to fall and the next was similar. He nailed his final delivery to make just the fifth 300 game in Weber Cup history.
The other four were courtesy of Paul Moor for Europe in 2006, and Tommy Jones in 2007, '08 and '09.
"It's a great feeling I had a couple of lucky breaks that changed things," said Barnes.
"I wouldn't have guessed before it started but knew Dom could get to 250. It means we're 1-1 because we didn't want to get down too early and you never want to be far behind. Maybe I'll have a pint somewhere along the line!"
In an extraordinary turn of events, the Americans scored consecutive 300 games as Tommy Jones made his fourth max in Weber Cup history to beat Mika Koivuniemi and take the USA into the lead.
After four maximums in 13 years of Weber Cup, the prospect of two in two games seemed distant but Barnes and then Jones were the men to do it as they stunned the Europeans and drew a standing ovation from the Metrodome crowd.
"There's something about this lane and the crowds in Barnsley! It's moose hunting season back in the States so you've got to kill the moose early. Dom Barrett inspired me as they start talking really early but they go quiet very quickly!"
The 888.com Weber Cup is the annual Europe v America tenpin bowling match. Established in 2000, the Americans lead 8-5 after 13 events. Taking place over three days, the match is decided by a series of singles, doubles and Baker format games.
Martin Larsen, making a second appearance after his debut in 2009, looked in with a shout against Mike Fagan, but the American just had enough in the closing stages to run out a winner by 22 pins.
That put the Americans 3-1 ahead and that soon became 4-1 after Bill O'Neill beat Stuart Williams by 225-204 to leave the Europeans reeling.
"I threw some bad shots but the rest were solid and I can build on that for the rest of weekend," said O'Neill.
"That's the best start I've ever had at the Weber; I hit the headpin twice in the Baker and bowled pretty well there."
The final match was a must-win for Europe as both captains were allowed to select who went out for the opposition. Barnes chose his opposite number, Koivuniemi, who looked a tad under-powered in his earlier outing in the evening, while the European captain went for Mike Fagan.
It was a close match but Koivuniemi left a dreaded open frame – a 7/10 split - in the eighth which allowed Fagan to inch ahead. The Finn left another in the tenth but miraculously took them both out. It wasn't enough though as Fagan struck in the tenth to secure the point.
Play continues Saturday afternoon at 1pm.
Session 1: USA 5 - 1 Europe
USA 226 - 257 Europe
Chris Barnes 300 - 256 Dominic Barrett
Tommy Jones 300 - 225 Mika Koivuniemi
Mike Fagan 228 - 206 Martin Larsen
Bill O'Neil 225 - 204 Stuart Williams
Mike Fagan 217 - 196 Mika Koivuniemi
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