The stage was set for a match between two of the three first place teams as the Riley Shufflers traveled to Kleeman’s. Dave Herfel and Randy Skogen lost only their second game to Jeff Judd and Steve Sponem to rack in 114 points for the Shufflers. But Al Zimmerman and Jerry Judd countered by pitching in 112 points for the Hay Shakers. This is an indication of how the match went with five lead changes through the first six frames. It wasn’t until the seventh frame that the Hay Shakers were finally able to kick the Shufflers down the shoot to bail a 28-point win.

Harley Blue Express conductors Dale Herfel and Tracy Haag shoveled 113 much needed chunks of coal into the boiler while the Cheese Eaters attempted to use the fire for their fondue party. But the fire proved to be 6 degrees too hot, burning the cheese and wrecking the Cheese Eaters’ party and keeping the Express tied for first place with the Hay Shakers.

The Norsk Cowboys were hotter than a two dollar pistol last Thursday night when each of the four Cowboy couples scored 110 or more points. As a team they corralled a total of 454 points. That’s right, 454 points, setting a new record for the most points scored by a team in a single match, breaking the previous record of 450 points. They also outscored the Pranksters by 112 points. Dean Disch and Randy Schmid were the sharp shooters for the Cowboys, putting 117 holes in the Pranksters, with Don Field and Steve Dower, plus Dave Willborn and Pete Waltz, adding another 113 holes. Ferdie Schmitz and Harold Schlimgen protected the rear by shooting 111 holes into the Pranksters. The only downside for the Cowboys was when Don and Steve lost only their third game to Dave and Larry Losenegger, keeping them from a prefect night. The high score for the Pranksters was a 96.

Also losing only their third game at the hands of Mark Raders and Gary Bartles, Pipe Benders Jerome Krantz and Tiny Zander laid 112-feet of drainpipe for Jones’ Plumbing. This was 20-feet more than needed to flush the J&M Bar River Rats down the drain. Rats Honker and Harry Gehin were the first to drain out with their 78, this week’s low score.

Tyrol Trolls 362 Riley Mounties 442, 80-point win. In the Hills of Tyrol Basin, the Mounties were in hot pursuit of the Trolls. Tom Magnuson and Paul Thronson arrested 116 Trolls, but Dave Hook and Joe Hinrichs were able to escape with a win in the last game of the night (Tom and Paul’s only loss). But it was Bruce Milestone and Harold Grabandt who did the most damage. They captured 119 Trolls, losing only their last game to Scott Hook and Kaylam Merklein. I understand that the score of the last game was 14 to 14 and that each couple had two tricks in with just one card left to play. But, it was Scott and Kaylam who managed to escape, leaving Bruce and Harold holding the bag one Troll short, but finishing with this week’s high score. Talk about close.

Standings: Harley Blue Express 6-0; Kleeman’s 6-0; Riley Shufflers 5-1; Norsk Cowboys 3-3; J&M Bar 2-4; Jones’ Plumbing 2-4; Norsk Pranksters 2-4; Riley Mounties 2-4; S’Wisco Taphaus 2-4; Tyrol Trolls 0-6.

Schedule for February 13th: J&M Bar @ S’Wisco Taphaus (8:00); Riley Mounties @ Jones Plumbing (7:00); Harley Blue @ Norsk Pranksters (8:00); Norsk Cowboys @ Riley Shufflers (7:00); Tyrol Trolls @ Kleeman’s (7:30).