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Walter Ray Williams Jr. passes All Pete Weber could do was shake his head and smile as Walter Ray Williams Jr. was steamrolling his way into the history books. Williams nearly topped off his Denny’s PBA Tour record-breaking 42nd career title with the 17th nationally televised 300 game in Tour history. He settled for a dominating, 289-236, win over Weber to take home the Dydo Japan Cup 2006 crown on September 24, and now stands alone in the record books. The PBA Hall of Famer tied Earl Anthony’s all-time record back in March with a win over Weber in the title match of the 2006 Denny’s World Championship. Weber again succumbed to his nemesis on Sunday, as Williams moved to 5-0 in title matches against Weber in a rivalry that has spanned more than 20 years. Sunday’s title match started off in dramatic fashion, as the two great champions traded strikes through the first five frames. Weber was the first to falter, leaving two pins in the sixth frame. That was all the room a fired up and determined Williams needed, as he continued to strike at will. After wrapping up the match with his ninth consecutive strike, all that remained in question was whether Williams could put together his first career televised 300 game. After striking with his first ball in the 10th, however, Williams left a solid 7-pin on his next shot. "I threw a good shot, but the pins were a little stubborn," said Williams. "I knew coming in I had my hands full and it would take 260 or 270 to win. Pete bowled great early on, but fortunately for me he threw a couple bad shots and I just kept striking." The 46-year-old had struggled to get to win No. 41, taking seven TV appearances and nearly two years to pull even with Anthony. He has come on strong of late, however, as it took him just three events to win his 42nd. Ryan Shafer was a strike away from bowling in the title match, but left a 10th frame split in the semi-final, allowing Williams to advance, 215-195. Weber was looking for his 33rd career title and trying to become the second bowler in history to collect over $3 million in career earnings. Instead, it was Williams who became the first bowler in history to go over the $4 million mark with his $50,000 prize check. In other matches, Mike Machuga won the 4-bowler shootout, firing a 235 to defeat Chris Barnes (215), Steve Jaros (213) and Wes Malott (193). Machuga then defeated Niagara Falls native Patrick Healey Jr., 253-189, before falling to Robert Smith, 222-200. Smith moved on to face Shafer, who advanced to the semi-final, 191-172. Brad Angelo of Lockport placed 11th. The final round of the Japan Cup will air tape-delayed on ESPN Sunday, October 22 at 1:00pm. The Denny’s PBA Tour returns October 22-29 with the 2006 USBC Masters in Milwaukee, WI. Spares & Strikes 9/27/06 |