The Tribune

ALCONDO ‘Al’ Hepburn drew ‘first blood’ as he took a modest lead in the Bahamas Bowling Federation’s 2019 National Bowling Squad trials that got underway at Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Center on Monday night.

Hepburn torched the field with an amazing 1,044 five-game set. Averaging 209 for the evening, the question is, can he maintain that pace?

There could have been some changes as the ‘heavy hitters’ took to the lanes last night.

“Even though these are ‘early days’, if he (Hepburn) can essentially win this squad trials, it would go a long way in establishing him as one of the top bowlers in the country,” said Clayton Gardiner, federation public relations officer.

“But, he cannot blink. He cannot lose focus. He cannot miss easy spares. He cannot have too many bad games. He must continue to strike and strike a lot.”

Tyrone Knowles, Kevin ‘Benedict’ Williams, Ray ‘Motel 6’ Adderley, Clayton ‘Lil Papay’ Gardiner and Yule Hoyte round out the top 6.

On the ladies’ side, Driskell Rolle is in the top position, but she only has Kayla Nixon by six pins. “Can Kayla keep that average up over the week?” Gardiner asked. “Well, as they say, the proof is always in the eating.”

Jonice Lockhart, Xynea Johnson, Tara Culmer and Janice Hoyte round out the top six. Gardiner advised the public to keep an eye on these ladies in competition because it could prove to be just as competitive, or even more, than the men.

Tonight is “D” day because only the top 16 men and top 10 women will move on to Saturday, which will have the final cut to six men and six women.