Dick Allen (pictured left) of Columbia, S.C., who called himself the "X factor" among the three finalists, swept favorite Chris Barnes (right) of Double Oak, Texas, in the "best-of-two-game" championship match to win the inaugural Dick Weber PBA Playoffs Sunday at Woodland Bowl.

Allen, who earned his third career PBA title and first in five years, threw the last five strikes in the first game in the championship round to overcome a 15-pin deficit and win, 237-218. He put together another string of five strikes in the second game to take advantage of back-to-back pocket 7-10 splits by Barnes to win the second game, 221-193.

Allen immediately turned over the $50,000 check to his wife Sarah, but held onto the crystal trophy. "The money comes and goes. I want the trophy and a banner in the bar at Woodland Bowl along with all of the great players who have won titles here," Allen said. "That means more to me than anything."

Allen said he came into the PBA Playoffs finals under the radar. "A lot of people were cheering for Randy (Weiss) to win his first title, and Barnes was the obvious favorite," Allen said. "So I was happy to be the X factor. I just kept my head down and tried to get one more pin than the other guys. That's all I did today."

Barnes and Allen advanced to the championship match by rolling 245 and 209 games, respectively, in the opening elimination match when Randy Weiss (left) of Columbia, S.C., was eliminated when he finished third with a 200 game. Weiss, who was trying for his first PBA title, earned $13,000.

Barnes threw strikes on six of his first seven shots in the first game against Allen, but Allen stayed close despite leaving the 10 pin on four of five shots in the middle of his game. When Barnes left the 4-6-7-10 split in the eighth frame, Allen capitalized with his closing string of strikes.

Allen was the victim of a pair of splits in the second game, helping Barnes take a 25-pin lead in the fifth frame, but the consecutive 7-10s "pretty much took the wind out of my sails," he said. "There were a few pocket 7-10s on the left lane earlier in the tournament, so the first one wasn't a huge surprise. But the second one was a stunner. I thought I threw the ball well."

The Dick Weber PBA Playoffs was the final event of the 2010-11 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.

 

Dick Weber PBA Playoffs

Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis (April 17, 2011)

Championship (best of two games):
Dick Allen, Columbus, S.C. ($50,000) def. Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas ($25,000), 237-218, 221-193.

Elimination Round (lowest score eliminated):
Barnes 245, Allen 209, Randy Weiss, Columbia, S.C., 200 ($13,000).

 

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