Europe edge within three of victory - 14/11/2010

TEAM EUROPE maintained their four point lead after a thrilling Sunday afternoon session at the 2010 PartyCasino.com Weber Cup at the Barnsley Metrodome. The session was shared three matches each which means the Europeans need three points for victory and the USA a mountainous seven.

In front of a ‘standing room only’ Barnsley crowd, Europe increased their lead in what was a funny old opening Baker match. They started out strongly, opening up a 58 pin lead after four frames. That evaporated very quickly though as consecutive open frames let the USA back in it and another open frame in the ninth saw the USA as narrow leaders.

Tommy Jones, who has been one of the most consistent American player this year, missed a spare in the tenth though and that allowed Europe to ghost past them at the close.

“There were three good guys and one bad guy and that was me,” said Osku Palermaa.

“Fortunately Tommy missed the tenpin and that gave us a chance. That was what we needed; it’s step by step towards the 17 points.”

The USA got the session back on even keel as Barnes and Weber put on a great show as they came in with a big score of 277, which was 85 pins better than the European team of Palermaa and Koivuniemi.

That put the European lead back to four points to keep US hopes alive. Palermaa who had made some critical errors in the Baker match, wasn’t in top form in this one either, while Weber pulled off a spectacular split to see the USA on their way.

Tim Mack finally came good as he posted his tournament best score of 255 to topple a floundering Osku Palermaa and reduce the deficit to just three points. This was the closest the Americans had come since they trailed 5-2 after the first game of Saturday afternoon.

A run of seven strikes from Mack was decisive as Palermaa got off to a poor start with a couple of open frames.

“It feels great to finally get on the board and help the team,” said a delighted Mack.

“I had a talk with team mates and they gave me a real boost. This is hotting up now and we will give it a great fight,” he added.

Just when they were looking like getting right back into, Team USA ran into Barrett and Koivuniemi who edged out Jones and Barnes to restore the four point advantage. It was a big win for Europe, as a defeat would have put the USA within two points of them.

Europe led throughout – a 9 spare in the fifth derailed the Americans and they never caught up. 229 – 204 was the final score.

Tommy Jones, who has been one of the best of the American pack, put in a blistering performance as he recorded a 276 score to trounce Dom Barrett and reduce the deficit to three points and keep his team in the hunt.

“I got away with a couple early on but I’ve got a point back for us and hopefully Pete and Tim can carry the momentum into the next game,” said Jones.

The final match of the session turned out to be the best of the Weber Cup to date as the pairings of Palermaa and Moor, and Weber and Mack bowled out a huge high-scoring tie at 278 apiece.

The match then went to a dramatic 9th and 10th frame roll-off which Europe stole after some open frame misery from Team America.

“Obviously I’m disappointed as 278 wins most games at this tournament. Pete threw great, they threw great and it came down to one shot in the roll-off,” said Mack.

“It’s a big point and Paul bowled an awesome game for us. The roll-off was good TV and unfortunately Timmy threw a bad one to let us in,” said Palermaa.

Featuring a potential total of 33 matches over the weekend, the first team to reach 17 points will lift the coveted Weber Cup. Starting in 2000, the USA has won six Weber Cups and the Europeans four, although the Europeans are defending champions following a 17-11 win last year.