Now that's more like it!

After getting a bit of practice in toward the end of last week, I was anxious to get back onto the lanes tonight. Add in the fact that I got to bring the new DV8 Grudge out for its debut performance, and there was a lot to be excited about tonight.

Game 1

X X X 9/ 9/ 8/ X 9/ X XXX - 236

I tried three different balls in practice, but in the end, I opted to stay with the Grudge and try to use a bit more foot speed to help keep the ball on line since our center doesn't really put out a heavy shot. It was a nice decision as I packed the first four shots with only a solid 9-pin failing to strike. I threw two poor shots in a row in frames five and six, but then I struck on five of my final six shots, including three in the 10th to secure a 1-pin victory, to start with a solid 236.

Game 2

9/ X 9/ X X X 9/ 7/ X 8/9 - 215

I stayed with the Grudge to start Game 2, and my look stayed strong. I left a 4-pin in the first and a 7-pin in the third. Other than that, the first six shots were all right there. Frame seven brought the first 10-pin of the evening - which was a pleasant change of pace seeing as how I've been leaving 8-10 a night over the last month - which I converted. I lost my look and angle a bit as the game ended, but I still managed to stay clean and post a 215.

Game 3

X 9/ X X X 9/ 9/ X X XX9 - 247

I tucked in a couple boards to the left, but I opted to stay with the Grudge, which seemed like a risky move given the ball's strength. I flat tenned in the second and sixth, but the other four shots were spot on. The trouble was that the left lane had developed a hook spot that was causing the ball to dive left if it got there early or to flat ten if it rolled through it. Knowing that I had to finish on that lane, I moved another four left and decided to slow down a bit to keep the ball inside of that hook spot. For the first time in a while, it was the right move as I struck on three of the last four shots to close out a 247 game, a 698 set, and 30 clean.

All in all, this was just what the doctor ordered. It wasn't just that the Grudge rolled and hit great, though it did. It was that I looked good, threw it good, and felt good all night long. I can really only think of three or four errant shots all night long, and I was able to get away with them by playing the right part of the lane.

One thing is for sure, last night was certainly a lot more fun than the previous two weeks had been! I think DV8 has a real winner in the Grudge. If that ball is that good on a medium pattern, I can't wait to see what it can do when I throw it on the higher volumes it's intended for!