The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

LEONARDO ‘Lee’ Davis is off to a fast start in his quest to successfully defend his men’s title and veteran Angie Smith has emerged as the leader of the pack on the ladies’ side as the Bahamas Bowling Federation rolled its first five-game block in the Bahamas National Bowling Championships on Monday night.

Davis had a total pinfall of 1,129 for a blistering average of 225.8 to take the men’s lead over David Slatter, who sits in second place with his total of 1,120 pins and a 224 average. Brothers Richard (1,119-223) and Johann Pyfrom (1,092-218) sit in third and fourth, while Sonith Lockhart rounds out the top five with 1,091-218.

On the ladies’ side of the competition at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Center, Smith has surged out front with 941 and a 188.20 average. She is followed by Janice Hoyte with 940-188. Janice Hoyte is in third with 923-184.60, Tara Johnson is in fourth with 902-180.40 and Camille Burnside completes the top five with 898-179.60.

While defending champion Xynea Johnson is not entered, 2013 champion Driskell Rolle is sitting in sixth with 861-172-20. The only other woman to bowl on the opening day was veteran Marina McClain with 808-161.60.

Federation treasurer Clayton Gardiner, who also serves as the public relations officer, said the tournament got off to a great start, despite the fact that there are not as many bowlers that they would have liked to see participating.

“The boys shot some pretty high scores,” Gardiner said. “It was a Texas shoot them up. Our current champion Lee Davis usually starts off slow, but this time I think he’s taking no prisoners and he’s taking no chances. He’s doing wonderfully well.”

The results showed a total of nine players finishing with a 1,000 or more pinfalls, which indicated that they are off to an incredibly fast start.

There is really no surprises on the ladies’ side, although Angie Smith has taken the initial lead and Driskell Rolle has missed cracking the top five.

“Even though the ladies didn’t get to 1,000 pins, an average of 188.20 is still considered to be impressive for Angie Smith, the leader of the pack,” Gardiner said. “They’re done so good scores here on the first day.”

Although the numbers are down compared to previous years, Gardiner said they are excited about what is to come over the next week and a half when the two champions will be crowned on Sunday (May 31) during the live television finals.

The second five-game block on Thursday night should be pivotal. Tonight, the bowlers who are only eligible to compete in the men’s D and E divisions and the ladies’ C and D will be in action for their first five-game block.

“Where you are really tells where you should finish, so we really don’t expect to see that much change in the leaderboard,” Gardiner said. “We have a guy named Anthony Ingraham, whom everybody will be out to watch. He’s throwing the ball with two hands. He’s going to be a treat to watch (tonight).”