Elgin Lanes dominates X-Town Classic, wins first title

Elgin Lanes continued to set new team records on its way to winning its first Mayor's Cup in this year's Elgin Cross-Town Classic over Bowlway Lanes.

Throughout the tournament, Elgin dominated the scoring, never losing until the last game, when the title was already secured. It was an impressive display of teamwork, excellent spare shooting, and high scoring.

Already leading 7-0 in points and by 213 in pins after the first week of competition, Elgin took a commanding lead into Bowlway. All the squad needed to do was win the first game to claim the title.

Both teams started out the first match a bit tight, but as the game moved on, Elgin built a solid lead and never relinquished it after Bowlway made some costly mistakes with some untimely splits and missed spares. Elgin posted a strong 1040 team score, led by Jason Svhela's 235, Drew Perly's 233, Keith Davis' 226, and Rusty Zwart's 203. Bowlway finished with a respectable 1007, led by Wayne Curley's 220, Mark Toppel's 214, and Dan Martin's 203.

During the second game, the lanes opened up, and stringing strikes became much easier. Elgin posted a huge 1114-1088 victory, a new team high scoring record, and the squad's sixth win in a row going back from last year (another record), which beat the previous record posted by Bowlway in 2013. Elgin was led by Drew Perly's 243, Keith Davis' 238 and Rusty Zwart's 236. Bowlway's top scorers were Sean Hargadon's 247, Mark Toppel's 245, and Dan Martin's 225.

In the final game, Bowlway closed a decisive victory 1099-977, but it was too little too late. Wayne Curley led Bowlway with a 257 game, followed by Dan Martin's 232 and Mark Toppel's 216. Elgin leading scorers were Drew Perly's 234 and Jason Svehla's 210.

For Elgin Lanes, after suffering three years of losing, this decisive victory over Bowlway was memorable.

"This was a long time coming," said Elgin Lanes General Manager Lex Perly. "We put together an excellent team that played well together and made the right adjustments at the right time. This is a great tournament, where your skills are really put to the test. You have to know how to bowl on these woods lanes."

On the Bowlway side, the mood was somber, but with so many pins left out on the lanes, there was no way to overtake a new and improved Elgin team. "You have to take your hat off to them," said Bowlway co-owner Norm Grocke. "They were a great squad of players that never let up on us and they made us pay for our own mistakes."

Elgin Mayor Dave Kaptain was once again on hand to present the Mayor's Cup. This was the first time he presented Elgin with the trophy, and he welcomed the opportunity, praising the group's hard work. "There is nothing wrong with competition," he said. "It makes us all better, just like this tournament, which keeps growing and growing."

• Team Elgin: led by Drew Perly (710), Jason Svehla (655), Rusty Zwart (619), Keith Davis (615), and Dan Svehla (532). The team finished with 3,131 total pins for a team average of 208.7.

• Team Bowlway: led by Mark Toppel (675), Dan Martin (660), Wayne Curley (656), Sean Hargadon (631), and Chris Geimer (572). The team finished with 3,194 total pins for a team average of 212.9.