Ebonite man

What a difference a week makes when you have the right equipment. Had 33-34 this week which had been a dicey pair in past years. With the new lanes, it was interesting to see that this pair still played very similar to before, with the left lane giving fits. Started with the Mutant Cell playing straight up 6 board. This looked good during practice and was the shot early on. The left lane did not want to carry all that well unless I got some extra lift. As a result, quite a few 10 pins were in the making on this lane. The right lane was like being on autopilot. At one time, strung 9 in a row on this lane without really much effort. As opposed to years past, missing inside was the preferred route. Hold room was there if a shot hit 8 board. If I got it outside 5, the ball went high. One shot I thought was channel bound hitting 1 board actual came back for a light pocket hit. The pocket splits still made an appearance and frankly, I don't know what I could have done to prevent them. The first one was an absolute ripping 7-10 with the headpin messenger not delivering on the 10 pin- definitely not a weak hit here. The second was a high flush 7-9?. I guess a combo of a blowing 7 and solid 9. Really a crappy break. These two frames were the only opens on the night with another 6-6 on 10 pins. This was still using the Rhino for the 10 pin. May just get a thumb plug put in the Rhino and stay with this ball for 10 pins. The new lanes allow for quite a bit more skid and more error, even with hanging in the ball slightly. This pair did not transition at all and I kept my same line the whole night. Ended up with a 657 and the Mutant Cell will be the go to ball at least early on. I still plan on keeping the NVS and Total NV in my bag just in case the shot does break down in future weeks. Don't see this happening too often as the lanes are getting fresh oil/stripped right before the league starts- something we haven't had in 6 years. Just hope this pattern doesn't change in the future, especially with open play which can really mess up a pair.