See full review here:

http://tamerbowling.com/storm-match-up-match-up-pearl-bowling-ball-review/

Excerpt:
These two Storm balls (Match Up and Match Up Pearl) sum up what entry level balls can be. Ultimately, they may be a bit much for a true novice but fit the bill nicely for more experienced bowlers when you want step down balls or if dealing with medium/lower volume patterns. What Storm did was release this ball with the 1500-grit polished out of box finish. This offers a nice shelf appeal, but ultimately completely distinguishes this Match Up from the previous Match with its 2000 grit sanded OOB finish. The Match was kind of a specialty ball for tournament bowlers because it offered the rare ball that offered great front to back control reaction. The Match Up finish makes it more of a side to side ball. I don't honestly know if you sanded the Match Up if it would turn into the Match but this is one that will be easier to throw for many people on your typical house shots. It will obviously store more energy and have a nice readable but strong motion down lane.

For the Match Up Pearl, I loved the fact that this is the first Storm ball since the Lights Out that I can personally control front to back rather than side to side. I was able to more or less keep the ball in front of me with a simple 12 at the arrows to 7 at the breakpoint look. When I can be there, my life is good. Don't be deceived. Many video reviews cut out the bad shots. I threw 8 of 9 strikes straight out of the gate on this fresh shot, it was so easy to throw. It has easy length as you would expect with a nice muted but strong arc to the pocket. I totally loved it because I carried everything. I had an opportunity to test it on a lower volume pattern with wood backends and it reminded me how aggressive Storm covers are. This thing moved more than I thought it would.

The Storm Match Up and Match Up Pearl sell themselves. They are inexpensive, high performing, and easily could suffice as a 1-2 punch for most THS conditions. Both Guy and I would prefer to knock that polish off with maybe a light 4000 grit pad to get rid of some of that over/under but we could easily see these balls are a nice addition to the lineup.

Storm Bowling Match Up Video; Check It Out!
https://youtu.be/fj9FMkcMAZM
Review:
I was very surprised at how much I like both these balls. Typically low end equipment, I feel, does not suit me well given the type of style I am (in between stroker-tweeter). In the past I would have a lot of over/under with low-end equipment although both these balls provided very consistent ball motion. When I threw it I knew whether it was going to be good or bad and I had more margin of error than I did from low end equipment of past years.
The Match Up Solid (Layout - 55 x 4 x 80) was very smooth for me. I bowled on very dry lanes and the reaction I got from this ball was exceptional. It reminded me of an IQ tour on stronger conditions (Smooth arc with control).
The Match Up Pearl (Layout - 80 x4 1/2 x 45) was very angular. I waited for the lanes to break down further when I was using my Marvel and Match Up Solid earlier. About 9-10 games in I started using the Match Up Pearl and it reminded me of one of my all time favorite balls that recently got discontinued, the Hectic. This ball goes long and is angular in the back end. This is going to be in my bag for sport shots when the lanes really break down. It gets real clean through the fronts and has a discernible break in the back end.

LANE CONDITION

Length: 40 Ft

Volume:Med-High

Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc):THS


COMMENTS

Coverstock: Reactor Pearl Reactive
Core: Stinger 2.0
Finish: 1500 Polish
RG: 2.57
Differential: 0.035

Me:
Right-Handed Tweener
Speed: 12-13 mph
Rev Rate: 315
PAP: 4 7/8 Right 3/8 Up

Ball Layout: Pin Over Bridge 70 x 5 x 23

Storm decided to increase hook in their Hot line. The result are the Matchup balls. These balls are going to be great value purchases. If you have that customer who wants one ball that will give them plenty of hook and they don't want to spend alot, these balls are perfect.

The Pearl version of the Matchup is a big step up in hook from the previous Match balls. Compared to all previous releases in the hot line you should see a minimum of 3 to 5 boards more overall hook. I have personally found the Match Up Pearl to be much stronger in the midlane than any Hot line release to date.

I was a bit surprised at how smooth the Match Up pearl is. This ball comes into play so much sooner than other balls in it's price point it's not even close. Even on fresh oil, my angles through the front of the lane have to be steeper because the stronger Stinger 2.0 core creates midlane roll that exceeds all expectations. I had expected a cleaner reaction, but even with the earlier roll, you don't stop seeing down-lane motion. Strong and continuous at an unbelievable price for the performance.

This release is going to be a big seller for those of us in Pro Shops. I'm excited about having a big performer to steer my customers toward. If they want one ball to do it all, this is your go to.

PICTURES AND/OR VIDEOS

Orientation:  Right Handed
Rev Rate:  375 RPM
Speed:  16-17 MPH
PAP:  4 5/8 straight across

Location:  Enterprise Park Lanes, Springfield MO
Pattern:  High Volume THS
Layout:  40, 4 ¾   , 70

The Match Up Pearl is a great update from the original Match Pearl.  Storm updated the core to be a little higher RG and Diff.  So that means the Match Up Pearl is longer and flippier than the original Match Pearl.  I liked the original Match Pearl but there were times where I couldn’t use it later in the day because it didn’t go long enough.  The Match Up Pearl solves that problem.  It’s clean enough and flippy enough on the back to be used later in the day when the lanes dry out.  The Match Up Pearl is a great ball for light oil or transition.

I drilled up my MATCH UP PEARL to be my burnt before urethane ball which was pin straight over the fingers, no CG swing and no weight hole. I wanted this one to let the friction on the lane take charge of the shape. I got to use this one on some shorter and more hooking patterns. Our house pattern is shorter than most at around 38-39' so it worked as long as it got fed into the dryer part of the lane. When I kept it inside of the oil line, it just didn't get into a strong enough roll to knock out the corners plus it was touchy if I missed it at the bottom. Now on shorter and more friction, this one was in play. I used it on a very hooking 39' pattern and it was almost too much ball as it turned left pretty hard. I would recommend this one to the players who need length but don't have the rev rate to make the TROPICAL STORM line hit hard enough and if they pattern is not short enough or dry enough yet for urethane.

The new Storm Match Up Solid and Pearl are new and improved versions of the original Match Solid and Pearl. The Match Up cores features a higher RG and Diff. This lends itself to storing energy a little longer, leading to more shape down-lane. I liked the original Match Solid but the dull cover and low RG seemed to always give it a short shelf life on the lanes for me. And the original Match Pearl went through the fronts super clean but didn’t quite have the strength on the back I needed.

The new Match Up Solid and Match Up Pearl are much better at “Match-ing Up” to medium/medium-dry lanes. Even the solid cover is clean enough through the front to use later in blocks and stores enough energy to not give me an over/under shape.

I think these will be great on drier house patterns or for lighter oil volume patterns where you need a little help getting through the fronts. Plus the value and shelf appeal alone on these balls is a homerun!

Match Up Pearl Ball Review by Mark Michalek

The new Match Up Pearl has been a great addition to my arsenal. This ball is perfect for shorter patterns or patterns that have been blown open and require you to move deeper and open up the lane. I have mine drilled 55x4x35 with a p3 hole and on your typical house pattern it has been perfect for game 3. With my high ball speed and rev rate the stronger equipment is either to early or to strong on the backend. With the Matchup it blends and is able to get through the front part of the lane and still strong enough on the backend to get around the corner. This ball is perfect for advanced bowlers looking for a late tournament/league ball or for beginning bowlers looking for something that is above your entry level lines.