The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THERE was some movement in the leaderboard as the Bahamas Bowling Federation’s National Bowling Championships moved closer to crowning its champions this weekend.

As the top bowlers competed on Wednesday night at Mario’s Bowling Lanes, David Slatter has taken over the men’s division. And Driskell Rolle continues to lead the women as the battle intensifies for the top five spots for Sunday’s final round.

Slatter, rolling an impressive 259 game to start play on Wednesday, has surged ahead of the pack with a total of 3,041 pins and an average of 202.73. Defending champion Richard ‘Ritchie’ Pyfrom has dropped to second with 2,955 pins and a 197 average.

Alcondo Hepburn remains in third with 2,863 pins for his average of 190.87. Leonardo ‘Lee’ Davis is fourth with 2,849 and a 189.93 average. Kelsey Rolle, who closed out the night with a 238 game, moved into fifth place with 2,812 pins and a 187.47 average.

“The last three games of the three previous blocks, I started to figure out which bowling ball to use, which shot to play, which hand position to use and so things are starting to come together as I try to solve the puzzle,” Slatter said.  “I came with a gameplan and so far it’s worked to perfection. I shot my best game of the tournament, 251, and so I hope I can continue to do what I’ve been doing.”

Hepburn has been the surprise so far on the men’s side. “The tournament has been going very well for me,” he said. “I don’t think people expected me to be up there. It’s surprising to them, but I know that my game would allow me to be up there.

“I’m a good at my spares. I might not strike as much, but I have my spares on key. That has been keeping me in the mix. The field is very competitive. I’m bowling among the sharks right now. They are the best bowlers in the country, so it’s helping me to sharpen my game. I really want to be in the final this year.”

It’s been a while since he’s won the title, but Davis said he’s looking forward to making it his year to shine again.

“My first games are usually crappy, but I tend to pull up my shoes and get into the flow of things,” he said. “You tend to bowl better when you are bowling with competitors of your caliber. So I’m confident that I will get it together.”

He last his first title in 2014 at Mario’s after pulling of the crown in 1990, 1992 and 1994 at the Village Bowling Lanes.

On the ladies’ side, Rolle holds onto her lead with 2,683 pins for a 178.87 average. Jonice Lockhart is next with 2,573 and 171.53. Angela Smith moved up to third with 2,570 and 171.33 and her daughter is now in fourth with 2,570 and 171.33.

Janice Hoyte dropped from third to fifth with her total of 2,517 and an average of 167.80.

“It started out slow, but I caught up in the second block and now we are in the third block,” Lockhart said. “It’s a different game, but we have the same players participating. We have most of the top ladies participating, so it’s fairly competitive as last year.”

Lockhart said her goal is to make it to the final this year. But she knows that it’s going to be extremely tough to win it.

Hoyte, on the other hand, said she’s also had a slow start, but she’s not just hoping, but know that she will have to pick it up in order to get into the final.

“I’m still trying to figure out the lanes,” she said. “Hopefully I will get it together. We have all of the top female bowlers, with the exception of one, competing, so it’s pretty good.”

With Rolle and Lockhart sitting ahead of her, Hoyte said she know that neither of them are just going to give up their spot, so she will have to work hard to get in the final. The final spots will be decided tonight.