The fifth week saw one team climb in the standings, while one team slipped but remains above water. One bowler set a new personal best series, and one rolled new personal high game. As many speculated might happen, JoAnne Barber picked up this week's high game (150) and series (373) for the woman. As for the men, Dustin Schmeltz continued to make his case for Sub of the Season when he snagged this week's high game with a 230, and high series was earned by Matthew Taylor with a 637. Read on for all the rest of the details!

First up, on lanes 1 & 2: With closely-matched team strength, it was a battle between Balderdash, Vigs Eras Tour 2023, and the Lane 2 Pinsetter. Highlighting the skills of Matthew Taylor with his above-average 637 series, with props to #1 Head-to-Head bowler Ben Spencer, Bald Boys collected a clean sweep over The Vigs Tour crew. Over on the other side, Nick Kinney with his 544 series inspired The Vigs Tour crew despite his team getting swept. It is not certain why Seth Gunderson had such an off night, but speculation was running rampant that he was distracted by all the attention his friend Vigs has been receiving ever since he took a short break from the Eras Tour to date Travis Kelce. Balderdash climbs 1 spot in the standings to 2nd place, while The Vigs Tour crew remains in 1st.

On lanes 3 & 4: With the narrowest of handicaps, Sun Dolphins splashed pins all over Glory Bowl. Led by Ryan Sisco with his above-average 473 series, along with kudos to #1 Power-Ranked (third time in a row!) and Most Valuable Bowler JC Cox, Dolphins collected 3 wins against the G-Holers. In the meantime, Brett Affolter with his 511 series commanded the G-Holers despite his team notching only a single win. Sun Dolphins dipped 1 spot in the standings to 3rd place yet are now within 2 games of 1st, while the G-Holers remain submerged in 5th. And the rest of the league waits in earnest for JC's next off-week in his team's rotation so that soemone else can have a shot at MVB for once.

Finally, down on lanes 5 & 6: DB Lenz a Hand and √-1 played with each other's balls. Doug Lenz led the charge with an above-average 461 series, proving that lending a hand is their specialty. However, they managed only one win against "Imaginary Number," whose name might be imaginary, but their talent was all too real. Dustin Schmeltz, with his better-than-normal 571 series, motivated "Imaginary Number" as they plowed through with three wins. "DB Lenz a Hand" remained in 6th place, while "Imaginary Number" continued to weave their mystical tale in 4th.

Bowlers getting the VIP treatment in The 200 Club include: Ben Spencer (203), Brett Affolter (202), Dustin Schmeltz (230), Matthew Taylor (225,224), and Michael Gordon (200)

A new personal high game was set tonight by JC Cox (177, previous best 163). In addition, a new personal best series was rolled by JC Cox (465, previous best 421).

JoAnne Barber earned both this season's women's high game and series with her 150 and 373, respectively.

In this week's Tournament of Champions brackets: Michael Gordon got the better of Division 1, while Ben Spencer vanquished Division 2. Nicholas Knight crushed Division 3, and JC Cox creamed Division 4. In terms of overall points: Michael Gordon holds the reins in Division 1; Ben Spencer dominates Division 2; Doug Lenz runs the show in Division 3; and JC Cox is in the driver's seat in Division 4.

NEXT WEEK:

• First, on lanes 1&2, 5th-place Glory Bowl (hcp 1) will chuck some balls with 4th-place √-1. The G-Holers are expected to maintain their current strength as they win the series; while Imaginary Number is forecast to drop their average a bit while they avoid getting swept.
• Moving to lanes 3&4, 6th-place DB Lenz a Hand (hcp 120) will tussle with 1st-place Vigs Eras Tour 2023. DB Handlers might roll a little low and get swept; while The Vigs Tour crew ought to hold steady as they rack up a sweep.
• Finally, on lanes 5&6, 2nd-place Balderdash will throw some gutter balls with 3rd-place Sun Dolphins (hcp 164). Bald Boys are predicted to have a bit of an off night, but split the series with Dolphins; while Dolphins are anticipated to hold steady as they keep the series tied.

^*(Remember, the predicted results above are based on mathematical extrapolations and can be changed by all sorts of factors. If you don't like how your team's results are predicted, you and your teammates have the power to prove the math wrong!)

THIS WEEK'S MVB JC Cox Runner Up: (See Posting)	#1 POWER BOWLER JC Cox Runner Up: Michael Gordon	#1 H2H BOWLER Ben Spencer Runner Up: Michael Gordon
FROM THE GUTTER (GUTTER QUOTE) "I haven't seen a ball drop like that since I was twelve" Nick Knight, watching Ryan Sisco gently cup his ball that descended more quickly than expected.