The Viper Championship featured a former winner of the event (Stuart Williams), a man who normally dominates the World Series of Bowling (Jason Belmonte) making his only television appearance, a bowler completely tired of being a one-time title winner and looking for number two (Ryan Ciminelli) and one of the all-time greats going after his second title of the season (Chris Barnes).
As with every event in the World Series, this one had Player of the Year implications.
Belmonte, the leading candidate entering the World Series, probably could lock up the award with a victory in this event. A victory for Barnes probably wouldn’t get him serious consideration due to the jam of other players near the top, but it would’ve earned him a mention in the discussion.
Williams and Ciminelli were both looking to snag the coveted second career title, and if Ciminelli could do it, as well as the following week in the Chameleon Championship, he’d have two titles this season and be worth mentioning in the Player of the Year discussion as well.
This match was tight all the way. With both men making their only televised finals of the World Series, and knowing it would take three victories to get the title, they were equally inspired to do everything they could to get through this match. Problem was, it was tough for both of them to get anything going.
Belmonte left a 2-8-10 in the second frame, which gave Williams a slight edge throughout the match, but Williams never pulled away completely. Belmonte pecked away at Williams’ advantage, at one point getting to within three pins, but then Williams finally put together a turkey while Belmonte couldn’t find a strike.
A 4-9 split in the 10th for Williams made things extremely close, but Belmonte’s strike/spare combination in the 10th wasn’t enough to jump over Williams and into the next match.
Final scores: Williams 203, Belmonte 194
Two of the most cerebral players in the game would battle next for a right to bowl for the title against Ryan Ciminelli. Williams’ struggles from the first game stayed with him early, but fortunately for him, Barnes struggled as well.
The two combined for only four strikes through eight frames, and that’s the exact moment Barnes took control of the match. Williams left the 2-4-8-10 in the eighth and failed to convert, which then set up Barnes to put together the only string of strikes for either man in the entire match, putting up the back four on his way to a victory and a fight with Ciminelli for the title.
Final scores: Barnes 200, Williams 171
There weren’t many bowlers in the world more determined than Ryan Ciminelli, who charged toward the top seed and desperately wanted to finally get that second title he covets.
The sentiment was lost on Barnes though, who wanted to win his 16th title.
Ciminelli had the early lead when Barnes opened in the second frame, but Barnes came right back with a turkey—as did Ciminelli, maintaining his lead. The two traded strikes and spares all the way up to the 10th frame, when Ciminelli, who, although he claimed he didn’t like his shot, probably didn’t deserve the two pins left standing: the 7 and the 10.
Although he made a run at it, bouncing the 7 out and in front of the 10, the open frame meant Barnes could get up in the 10th and win the match, which is precisely what he did. The win was the 16th of Barnes’ career, and leaves the extreme desire to win title number two for next week, when Ciminelli gets his next chance.
Final scores: Barnes 230, Ciminelli 212
As with every event in the World Series, this one had Player of the Year implications.
Belmonte, the leading candidate entering the World Series, probably could lock up the award with a victory in this event. A victory for Barnes probably wouldn’t get him serious consideration due to the jam of other players near the top, but it would’ve earned him a mention in the discussion.
Williams and Ciminelli were both looking to snag the coveted second career title, and if Ciminelli could do it, as well as the following week in the Chameleon Championship, he’d have two titles this season and be worth mentioning in the Player of the Year discussion as well.
Viper Championship Finalists
- Ryan Ciminelli
- Chris Barnes
- Stuart Williams
- Jason Belmonte
Stepladder Match 1: Stuart Williams vs. Jason Belmonte
This match was tight all the way. With both men making their only televised finals of the World Series, and knowing it would take three victories to get the title, they were equally inspired to do everything they could to get through this match. Problem was, it was tough for both of them to get anything going.
Belmonte left a 2-8-10 in the second frame, which gave Williams a slight edge throughout the match, but Williams never pulled away completely. Belmonte pecked away at Williams’ advantage, at one point getting to within three pins, but then Williams finally put together a turkey while Belmonte couldn’t find a strike.
A 4-9 split in the 10th for Williams made things extremely close, but Belmonte’s strike/spare combination in the 10th wasn’t enough to jump over Williams and into the next match.
Final scores: Williams 203, Belmonte 194
Stepladder Match 2: Chris Barnes vs. Stuart Williams
Two of the most cerebral players in the game would battle next for a right to bowl for the title against Ryan Ciminelli. Williams’ struggles from the first game stayed with him early, but fortunately for him, Barnes struggled as well.
The two combined for only four strikes through eight frames, and that’s the exact moment Barnes took control of the match. Williams left the 2-4-8-10 in the eighth and failed to convert, which then set up Barnes to put together the only string of strikes for either man in the entire match, putting up the back four on his way to a victory and a fight with Ciminelli for the title.
Final scores: Barnes 200, Williams 171
Stepladder Title Match: Ryan Ciminelli vs. Chris Barnes
There weren’t many bowlers in the world more determined than Ryan Ciminelli, who charged toward the top seed and desperately wanted to finally get that second title he covets.
The sentiment was lost on Barnes though, who wanted to win his 16th title.
Ciminelli had the early lead when Barnes opened in the second frame, but Barnes came right back with a turkey—as did Ciminelli, maintaining his lead. The two traded strikes and spares all the way up to the 10th frame, when Ciminelli, who, although he claimed he didn’t like his shot, probably didn’t deserve the two pins left standing: the 7 and the 10.
Although he made a run at it, bouncing the 7 out and in front of the 10, the open frame meant Barnes could get up in the 10th and win the match, which is precisely what he did. The win was the 16th of Barnes’ career, and leaves the extreme desire to win title number two for next week, when Ciminelli gets his next chance.
Final scores: Barnes 230, Ciminelli 212
Prize Money
- Chris Barnes, $20,000
- Ryan Ciminelli, $10,000
- Stuart Williams, $7,000
- Jason Belmonte, $5,000
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