OK Everyone, here we go again. Round 2 showed a lot of spirit and just like Round 1, each game was closely fought. There was one exception, the game between Lynne’s Bollabridgidas and Lingo’s No Talent Ass Clowns was nearly a run away with Mr Smith, aided by substitutes Jim and Matt Coates skillfully winning 3 and 4 points in a frame.

But the big news, (and gang it is time to pay attention), is that Captain Jim Woodcock’s Swims With The Fishes has an early lead in the standings. SWT Fishes, with teammates Mrs. Smith, Chris Cattich and Bobby Corso is 2 wins to 0 losses. I know it may seem early, but beware, previous seasons have proved that Captain Jim rarely gives up a lead.

Finally, a big thank you to Captain Jim for his awesome Asian styled BBQ ribs, Matt’s Lumpia, and to everyone who contributed to an absolutely wonderful Asian Luau dinner.

Results Round 2

Mangiamo 12, Minions 10

No TAC 12, Bollabrigidas 8

SWT Fishes 12, Ru’s GEDs 11

Standings

SWT Fishes               2-0

No TAC                       1-1

The Minions             1-1

Mangiamo                 1-1

Bollabridgidas         1-1

Ru’s GEDs                 0-2

The theme for this Friday’s dinner is Fiesta Mexicana!

• Chips- Kay & Lynne
• Salsa, green, red, fire roasted- Kay & Lynne
• Guacamole- lots of guacamole! – Barb, Bobby
• Grilled Adobo Chicken- Chris
• Chipotle Flank Steak- Chris
• Tortillas , corn 6″- Kay & Lynne
• Cheese, shredded or crumbled- need volunteer
• Beans- Deborah
• Rice- need volunteer
• Leslie’s corn, jicama and tomato salad- Leslie
• Mexican fruit popsicles- Luke, Cattich & Leon
• Margaritas (just need Blanco or Reposado 100% Agave Tequila)- Susie
• Mexican Beer- Jim Woodcock, Bobby

At the conclusion of Round 1, it was apparent that with two seasons of experience, our players have become even more competitive. Captains, Lynne, Rupert, Jim, John and Clay were very vocal in their coaching and their teams listened! As a result, each game was a closely fought battle, point by point, stretching well past dusk. I think we got the new court lights installed just in time.

First game of the evening pitted Rupert’s Garden of Earthly Delights against Lynne’s Bollabridgidas with the Bollas winning by just 2 points, 12 -10. Thanks to Barb who her got her mojo on, and both Carla and Rupert, it was rarely more than 1 or 2 points per frame. The next game saw the Minions, supported by substitute Brad Coates in lieu of captain Conor defeating the No Talent ass Clowns, 13-11. Until the Minions managed to roll three points in the last frame to win,  the lead had belonged to No TAC with both hugely talented teams strategically placing every ball for maximum scoring ability. The night’s final game was played between John Costa’s Mangiamos, with Deborah, Kay and Teddy losing 10-12  to our league’s most successful captain Jim “The Godfather” Woodcock  and his Swims with the Fishes teammates. Jim called on daughter Taylor as substitute and along with regular teammates Chris Cattich & Bob the foursome was unbeatable.

This Friday, June 27th is our second round of games beginning promptly at 6:30. Playing first are The Minions and Mangiamos.

Asian Luau is the theme for this Friday, June 27. Our menu is:

• potstickers – Rupert
• lumpia – Matt
• veggies & sweet chili – Susie
• Teriyaki Chicken – Chris & Jack
• Asian Ribs – Jim Woodcock
• fried rice – Bobbie
• Asian Caesar salad – Leslie
• Pineapple – Deborah
• Coconut cupcakes – Luke
• Mai Tais – Clay

and there was Light

Genesis 1:3

New Bocce Lights

Our Kickoff dinner was another successful evening of food and wine, highlighted by the famous Costa Eggs and BBQ Ribs contributed by Barb. Our captains, Conor, Clay, Lynne, Rupert, Jim and John (With Kris Costa standing in ) selected their teams from the green pitcher. Six new teams have now been formed and we are just waiting on the names. All teams are posted under the “Teams” tab on the navigation bar.

Captains, you have until this Thursday night to get your team’s name into the head office by phone or email. I will be updating the schedule, so we all know who plays first second and third each evening. First game begins at 6:30 pm.

Bocce Italiano is the theme for this Friday, June 13. Our menu is:

• salami & cheese – need volunteer
• peperoncini & olives – Deborah
• famous eggs – Kris Costa
• grilled sausage & rolls – Chris & Jack
• onions & peppers – Chris & Jack
• pasta – Susie
• tomato, mozzarella & basil – Leslie
• green salad – Kris Costa
• garlic bread – Carla
• italian cookies – Brad
• wine, beer – need volunteers
• limoncello – Carl

Well the Fat Lady was hitting the high notes on Friday! Without four of our Team Captains Jim Woodcock, John Costa, Lynne Missin and Clay Lingo in the pit, the Playoffs were an evening of high drama and upsets.

The evenings first game was a duel for last place and the dreaded Wooden Spoon. Once again Winning Colors with Michelle the Italian back in town rolled some beautiful balls, but typically were only able to score one point at time as the Ramones, with Carla, Chris Cattich and substitutes Deborah Garcia and Rupert, successfully knocked their potential extra points into the back wall. Fabulous accuracy by both Carla and Deb set the Ramones up for a 12-7 win and a fifth place finish for the season.

The second match of the night was between our Second and Third place teams, Checkered Napkins and Trinity Plus. Coach Conor lead his original team of Moshia, Sheryl and Matt against the Captainless Checkered Napkins in what started as a rout with Trinity up 10-2 very early in the game. But Checkered Napkins with Chris Cattich substituting for the missing Jim Woodcock quickly pulled themselves together and fought back with their usual competitive spirit and nearly tied the game. Unfortunately their rally was just a bit too late and Bobby, Kris and Jim Leon  finally succumbed to the relentless Celtic drive 12-10. It was quite a moment when first year Captain Conor Pullman and his team realized they will be playing in the Championship match.

Our final match up of the evening pitted John Costa’s first place Mangiamos against Rupert’s fourth place BBCs. Unfortunately unlike the lucky Trinity Plus, having their original team altogether didn’t do the trick as Captain Rupert leading Ted, Susan and Barb displayed nowhere near their usual level of skill. The Mangiamos with Jack, Kay and substitutes Matt Coates, Jim Leon (both doing double duty) continued their relentless drive and secured their well-earned spot in the Championship round with a 12-3 win.

The Championship Game, Award Ceremony and Victory Dinner will be held Friday September 6. Hors d’Oeuvres and Cocktails (Champagne?) at 6:30 and Game at 7pm. At the conclusion of the game we will have the Award Ceremony. Please send RSVPs by Friday August 30th.

Our final regular season game concluded August 9th. It was the most competitive night yet, and we all heard the lion roar when John Costa and his Mangiamo’s destroyed the perfect record of the King Jim Woodcock and the Checkered Napkins.

However, we all know the show isn’t over until the fat lady sings and anything can happen during the playoffs. Tonight Game One will kick off promptly at 6:30 between our 5th and 6th place teams, the Ramones and Winning Colors, with the loser earning this season’s Wooden Spoon.

Results of the final League games are attached below.

Final Standings, Regular Season

If the win loss record is the same, standings are determined by Total Points Scored (TPS)

#6WINNING COLORS – 1 win, 4 loss TPS 38

#5RAMONES – 2 win, 3 loss, TPS 48

#4BBC’S – 2 win, 3 loss,

#3 TRINITY PLUS – 3 win, 2 loss,

#2 CHECKERED NAPKINS – 4 win, 1 loss, TPS 52

#1MANGIAMO – 4 win, 1 loss TPS 59

6:30 pm- Team 6 Winning Colors plays Team 5 Ramones – the loser is awarded the Wooden Spoon, game begins at 6:30 sharp!

7:15 pm- Team 3 Trinity Plus plays Team 2 Checkered Napkins – winner advances to Championship

8:00 pm- Team 4 BBC’s plays Team 1 Mangiamo – winner advances to Championship

The Championship Game, Award Ceremony and Victory Dinner will be held in two weeks, Friday September 13.

Tonight is the final game in our regular season play. And we will be starting at 6:30 . Dress warm, it has been unusually cool here in Novato. Our dinner theme is Mediterranean Nights.

Following are the results from Round 4 and the standings.

Going into our final game the standings are:

WINLOSS

Checkered Napkins40

Mangiamo31

Trinity Plus22

BBC’s13

Ramones13

Winning Colors13

Well we all tried hard, but despite my repeated warnings and an incredibly valiant effort by the Ramones, the Checkered Napkins were once again victorious. That game was an epic battle, back and forth and back and forth, point by point, the Ramones led by Clay Lingo and assisted by Deborah, Chris Cattich, Taylor and the stalwart Carl ocassionally tied Jim Woodcock’s Checkered Napkin’s, with the amazing Kris Costa, Bobby and Jim Leon. Though the Ramones never took the lead, they were never far behind and in the end, were barely defeated losing by only 1 point.

The Checkered Napkins are going into tonight’s game with a perfect record. There is just one more chance and the pressure is on John Costa and his Mangiamos, Mary Alderete, Jack Campbell and Kay Missin. Until Round 4, the Mangiamos also retained a perfect record, but it was destroyed when Winning Colors finally came alive and won their first game of the season. Once again it was a closely fought match with constant need of the tape measure and a more than a few courtside discussions. However, Lynne Missin inspired her girls, Chris, Leslie and substitute Jasmine to play to their full potential and with a score of 12-11  the Mangiamos were defeated by a single point.

The final game of the night was barely different than the first two, with both teams the BBC’s and Trinity Plus holding matching records leading into game 4 it was a battle of equals, once again fought point by point until the conclusion. Conor’s Trinity Plus teammates, Matt, Sheryl and Brad, won 12-10 over the BBC’s captained (harangued) by Rupert and ably supported by Ted, Susan and the ever competitive Barb.

First game tonight is  Checkered Napkins playing Mangiamo, promptly at 6:30

Following are the results from Round 3 and this Friday’s menu, All American BBQ.

Pay Attention players, I warned you several weeks ago, that if we all didn’t improve our level of play Jim Woodcock and his Checkered Napkins would run away with the entire season. And here they stand after 3 rounds tied neck and neck with John Costa’s Mangiamo. Go John, Mary, Jack and Kay, congratulations for holding your standings at the top of the League!  It will not be until the final round of regular season play that these two stalwarts will face off.

Meanwhile this Friday’s upcoming games give both the Ramones and  Winning Colors the chance to upset these perfect standings. Clay Lingo’s Ramones may actually be up to the challenge if Round 3 was any indication when the Ramones soundly beat Winning Colors with Carl, Carla and Chris, chalking point after point on the board. Unfortunately Winning Colors named after the one of only three fillies to ever win the Derby, has not been a particularly apt name for Lynne Missin’s all girl team, who are at the very bottom of league standings.

As mentioned Trinity Plus with Captain Conor missing in action was soundly beaten by Mangiamo, despite some excellent play by the seasoned Matt Coates and his older brother Brad. Even the highly competitive Moshia couldn’t put enough points on the board to save the game. Our newest substitute English Dan was an important part of the valiant though futile effort.

Finally the stalwart BBC’s actually played the most closely fought game of the evening with Captain Rupert despite his exhortations to team members Barb (roll em straight), Susan (roll em with style) and Ted (just roll em) losing to the near perfect form of Checkered Napkins. Jim, Jim, Kris and Bobby have been an unbeatable combination (so far) with great placement, pool style play and an amazing long distance game. They are the ones to watch!

Standings after three rounds are:

WINSLOSS

MANGIAMO30

CHECKERED NAPKIN30

BBC’S12

TRINITY PLUS12

RAMONES12

WINNING COLORS03