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A
competitor swings into action at the ADF Tenpin Bowling
Association’s National Championships in Canberra.
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Photo
by LAC Michael Lucas
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The
bottom line of the scoreboard shows just how close Corporal
Dave Cole came to the perfect score of 300.
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TENPIN
bowler Corporal Dave Cole, from RAAF Base Edinburgh, has narrowly
missed a perfect score at the ADF Tenpin Bowling Association’s
National Championships.
Playing in the Singles event, the South Australian Combined Services
representative, who is well-known for his high backswing and powerful
release, overpowered the pins with 11 strikes and one spare to
score 276, the highest score in the three-day tournament.
Twelve strikes scores a perfect 300 game. Teams from five states
competed in the annual event – which includes singles, teams,
and Masters competitions – at the Belconnen Centre in early June.
NSW again emerged as State Champions, with ACT the runner-up.
Air Force continued its success by making the final of the Masters.
Association President Flight Sergeant Paul Logan, who is also
a member of the ACT team, came second in a hard-fought elimination
shoot-off with fellow team member Able Seaman Mark Tapper.
In the Singles competition, Sergeant Mark Seagrave, from RAAF
Williamtown, dominated with an impressive 198 average over ten
games. The GB Plate was captured by South Australian bowler WO2
Clive Thompson, who qualified equal fourth, then climbed the
elimination ladder with stamina and skill for his prize.
The Nationals were conducted with the customary high standard
and healthy inter-State rivalry and it is growing in approval
in the ADF, continuing to attract enthusiastic ADF and Reservist
bowlers. Victoria will host the 2005 National Championships next
June.
