I was there with Rudy "Revs" since he had part of the action on Norm. It was a great match. The lanes were a little softer than they should have been, but none the less it was a great thing to see. It came about that this guy has this pattern that he said he could beat norm on that is supposedly flat from like 7 on for 40 something feet, but outside of seven was supposed to be buffed with the one board being bone dry. This pattern was said to be tough, but fit this guys game(he said it didn't run the same as usual during practice for some reason but they bowled anyway). It was a freeze match where the first to four wins in a row wins the six grand that was supposed to be ten, but somehow ended up at six. The guy I think it is John Robeo(* spelling) was actually ahead after game one. Then Duke tied it up and Robeo got ahead again by one and it went back and forth for awhile. Duke was only losing because of carry if you ask me at first, but Robeo made the shoots with the money on the line. He had some big games he lost with a 260 something that he missed a single pin to lose to norms 276 and this would have put him up three which ended up being a critical turning point.Then has the first 9 a game or two later. The lane started to change and this is when Norm took control and won five or six in a row to take the money. He did offer to call it a draw after he got back to even and they had bowled like 12 games, but the crowd wanted it to be finished and Norm did just that.
This was something great to experience. It will be a story I will tell for years to come. Both guys showed great heart and brought everything they had. I honestly figured on the way there and after the practice round that we would be back on our way to Jersey so Steve could get some rest for bowling match play the next day in four games, but Robeo stepped up and pushed Norm harder than I think everyone there expected. Plus Robeo is pretty comical to watch because he shows his emotions and was yelling at his shots. I can hear him now, "Come on Brotha".
Anyway like my boy Rudy said if you work it long enough the cream will come to the top.(he might not been so sure for a little while though)
