Is a two game shut out a record? In the world of Campbell Bocce League it sure is. Last Friday, Game 1 and Game 3 went 12-0 for two very stunned teams, Cozzie and the Hot Rollers and Deboccery each decisively defeated by Labor Force and The Rolling Stones respectively.  So shocking and quickly played were both games, the evening’s play concluded by 8:00 pm, when Game 3  is normally just kicking off. So who were the players that earned the Big 0? The Hot Rollers with Captain Carla along with Bobby and substitutes JC and Matt. And Deboccery led by Conor with Kay, Cris and substitute Taylor assisting.

Have we ever before had a game end with a goose egg? Perusing the dusty tomes of Campbell Bocce League history, it appears that in over 100 games played on our dead flat oyster court, a shut out has occurred just twice previously.

Who were these former teams and players who hit rock bottom? How did they deal with the dreaded naught, the zilch, the scratch, the nullity,  the oblivion of zero? Read and learn all you who intend to avoid repeating this tragic history.

In the first season of CBL, our fourth game was a classic match between that year’s dominant team The Woodies led by Captain Jim Woodcock against our very first Captain, Courageous award recipient  John Costa and his La Famiglia. The Woodies after defeating La Famiglia in the most decisive manner possible went on to win the league championship that inaugural year. La Famiglia’s Carla, Mo and Barb rallied behind John after that devastating night but lost once again in the final season game to conclude the  season 2-3 in fifth place. The rally was revived when they won their critical playoff match against the Workers  and avoided the dreaded Wooden Spoon.

Two years later in 2014, our playoffs featured another Wooden Spoon match. This time the  teams were Ru’s Garden of Earthly Delights with Captain Rupert and his delights,  Kris Costa, Carla and Susie. They faced off against Captain Lynne of the Bollabridgidas along with her teammates Chris Coates, Jim Leon (subbing for Barb) and Leslie. In a quick and decisive victory, the Bollabridgidas smashed Ru’s GEDs 12-0 resulting in a second consecutive Wooden Spoon for Susie.

A record to be sure but certainly one no-one wants to repeat; And certainly not twice in one night. Lets hope this coming Friday is a showcase of our usual competitive back and forth, the one or two points per frame battles to which  we’ve grown accustomed. Remember our fifth and final regular season game is this Friday. The teams in the top four places all will have an equal chance at winning the Championship while places 5th and 6th will have their final battle at the Playoffs for the Wooden Spoon.  This year with three teams having the same 2-2 win loss record, Friday’s will results will be absolutely critical.

NOTE: The Playoffs are scheduled for August 11, just one week after our fifth and final  game.

Results from Game 4

Labor Force 12 – Cozzie and the Hot Rollers 0

Holy Rollers 12- Game of Throwns 4

The Rolling Stones 12- Deboccery 0

Standings

This Friday’s theme is Asian Luau, please let me know what you can bring and I will post. At 6:30 the first match kicks off between Game of Throwns and Cozzie and the Hot Rollers.

• Eggrolls- Kelly & Travis
• Potstickers- Clay & Carol
• Maui Onion Chips & dip- June & Rich
• Asian Ribs- Chris & Jack
• Teriyaki Chicken- Chris & Jack
• Fried Rice- Gail & Lori
• Tropical Fruit Salad- Deborah
• Asian Salad- Leslie
• Coconut cupcakes- need volunteer
• Asian Beer- need volunteer
• Wine- Gail & Lori
• Pina Coladas- Chris & Jack