Osborn crossed over for a pair of Brooklyn strikes and carried a nose hit in the midst of a key five strike-in-a-row run to defeat Kristen Egan, 226-225, in an all-Great Falls championship final.

"I was very fortunate," said Osborn, who averaged a hefty 215 over Sunday's nine-game, match-play round to take the top seed. "I apologized to Kristen both times I carried the Brooklyns."

Osborn survived an untimely 4-9 split in the 10th frame to hold off Egan, who defeated Mary Porter, 218-166, and Brandy Finch, 197-189, to earn a finals berth.

"When I got the split, I didn't know if I had enough pins to win," said Osborn. "Still, I bowled well both days.

"I've won a couple of traveling stops, but this is the biggest win of my career."

For Egan, it was a return to top form.

"I haven't been working on my game," Egan said. "I still bowl just one night a week.

"I just learned how to bowl again this weekend and to bowl like I did gives me a lot of confidence."

She turned in a clutch 10th frame effort to overhaul Finch in the semifinals, who many will remember as Brandy Bruch Ziesmer.

"That was big to be able to strike out in the 10th and beat her," Egan said. "I was able to get the big double."

Porter, out of Missoula, opened the stepladder with a come-from-behind 213-198 victory over Fort Benton's Guyla Streit, who was also victimized by a 4-9 split in the final frame in her loss.

Osborn collected $240 for first place, with Egan pocketing $180. Finch and Porter, both from Missoula, earned $140 and $120, respectively.

Streit took home $100 for fifth.

The tournament, in only its second year, drew 24 bowlers.

"How about that championship match!" said Rod Hackett, Elks manager. "The ladies really enjoyed the tourney and it looks like we will be back for another year."

Bernie K. Dickman gave the magicial 800 mark another brush last Wednesday night at the Elks.

Dickman, bowling in the Bull Elks, strung together games of 267, 257 and 238 for a 762 series, the high for the week around town. Dickman also added a 718 set in the Elks Early Birds and capped the week with a 669 in Little's Straightaway.

Other series worth mentioning included a 745 by John Balzarini, also in the Straightaway. Balzarini reeled off consistent games of 258, 245 and 242.

Rick Cummings also turned in a nice set with a 743 in the MixMasters at Little's, topped by a pair of 259 games.

Jeff Dennen and Bruce Steffani topped the 700 mark at Murph's, Dennen, in the Wednesday Men, led the week with a 726, with games of 257 and 278. Steffani, in the Christian Intramural, put together games of 238, 241 and 227 for a 706.

For the women, lefthander Sharon Kunz turned in the top effort with a 643 in the Jack & Jill Mixed at the Elks. Kunz had games of 226 and 219. Connie Bartell was right behind with a 637, with games of 236 and 210.

Guyla Streit's 625, with games of 220, 201, 204, was high for the women at Little's.

Nobi Sirucek's 627, spiced with games of 214, 201 and 212, and Chuck Lull's 677 won weekly honors at Pin & Cue.

Amanda Steffani's 223 and 622 set was high for the women at Murph's. Also on the eastside, Mary Ann Rose converted the Big Four, 4-6-7-10, to earn a WIBC award.

At Black Eagle, Don and Stretch Richards, both bowling in the Elks Seniors, had 632 and 622 sets, respectively.

John Lulf's 268 game and 684 set at Jack's Lanes in Fort Benton, also deserves mention.

Curt Backa, a bowling turkey who escaped the butcher's block, is a Tribune sports and news copy editor and sometime columnist. Backa, when not pulling for his beloved Northwestern State Demons, can be reached at 791-6569, (800) 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfal.gannett.com

Here are the rest of last week's honor scores:

Pin & Cue

Women's scores

Sunday Nite Mixed — Stcey Brower 201, Nobi Sirucek 227

535 — Linda Michel 200

Wednesday Nite Mixed — Kelsey Klundt 227, Chris Dittus 211, Nobi Sirucek 218, Stacie Olson 200

Thursday Leftovers — Diane Richards 217

Friday Nite Mixed — Nobi Sirucek 214-201-212-627

Sunday Nite Mixed — Nobi Sirucek 227

Men's scores

Sunday Nite Mixed — Dale Specht 235, Don White 226

535 — Arnie Judd 225, Rock Rayl 237-257-895(4), Chuck Lull 234-955(4), Don White 237, Tim Neuroth 226

Wednesday Nite Mixed — Rock Rayl 236, Mark Pepin 266-655

MFCU — Bryan Riphenburg 244-653

Friday Men — Aaron Paul 232, Jim Rothweiler 261, Lee Haman 247, Ken Omholt 268

Friday Nite Mixed — Hans Schell 256, Chad Konesky 228

Sunday Nite Mixed — Don White 236-257-672

Murph's

Women's scores

Christian Intramural — Amanda Steffani 223-622, Chris Pepos 202

Tuesday Tornadoes — Valerie Hunter 218(+72)

Thursday SkyRaiders — Shawna Lane 213, Joan Walter 181(+51_

Friday Alibi — Mary Ann Rose made the 4-6-7-10 split; Irene Miller 213

Men's scores

Christian Intramural — Bruce Steffani 238-241-227-706, Del Erickson 213-209-600(sr.), Doug Livingstone 222-213-604(sr.)

Wednesday Men — Butch Preston 259-648, Bill Perston 228, Larry DeBolt 232, Jeff Dennen 257-278-726, Bill Thomas 234-659, Larry Taylor 268-647, Gene Mull 225, Richard Fisher 236

Friday Alibi Mixed — Terry Brus 215(sr.), John Brus 236, Jim Miller 233, Duane Johnson 207(sr.)

Glacier Lanes/Cut Bank

Women's scores

Happy Bowlers — Patricia Whitford 174(+60)

Sunday Night Mixed — Kerma Branch 172(+83), Jamie Freed 196(+57), Deb Shachtel 118(+68)-310(+160)

Friday Night Mixed — Twila Dubray 174(+61)-449(+110), Jolene Potts 221

Men's scores

Sunday Night Mixed — Brian Grainger 210(+59), Jeff Scribben 210(+50)-231-620(+140), Vern Watson 234(+57)

Thursday Commercial — Everett Gobert 232-609, Rick Kraft 219(+69), Harold McLeod 209(+58), Robbie Racine 184(+56), Jeff Scribben 218(+54), Zane Stiner 237

Friday Night Mixed — Austin Carlson 185(+51)-188(+54)-530(+128)

Elks

Women's scores

Jack & Jill — Tracy Rigor 233, Sharon Kunz 219-643

Elks Seniors — Shirley Christianson 203, Vera Holtom 202, Lois Hering 193(+45), Betty Noble 193(+69)

Thursday Ladies — Lauretta Gifford 225

Early Birds — Theresa Schreder 218-207-614, Connie Bartell 210-236-637

Men's scores

Jack & Jill — Dustin Curtis 253, Dave Gifford 236-682, Jake Jacobs 235, Duane Zeier 229-675, Tony Gribble 227, Rusty Kinsey 226-652

Tuesday Nite Men — Rod Hackett 275-234-718, Jim Rothweiler 265-236-728, Bud Lee 256-236-658, Jerry Kenik 256, Terry Keel 246, Scott Olson 241-656, Mel Wardell 236, Ed Buresh 234, Talbert Bryan 233-230, Steve Soria 233, Larry Veach 233, George O'Dore 231, Bryan Vaden 226, Jerry Ferderer 223(+52), Steve Curtis 199(+59)

Bull Elks — Bernie K. Dickman 267-257-238-762, Dan Rollheiser 278-691, John Toenyes 253-658, Scott Rodger 244-235-693, Gene Shalz 241, John Basta 227, Jaramie Fuhringer 227, Nick Cetto 206(+53)

Elks Seniors — Bob Bann 245-610, Jim Remsh 244-200-635, Dom Fontana 234, Mel Wardell 206, Willy Heupel 202-200, Dave Wise 202-201, Ron Jones 202-522(+138), Don Thrush 200

Friday Mixed — Rod Hackett 233, Ernie Van Vleet 226

Early Birds — Dave Gifford 259-249-694, Bernie K. Dickman 284-234-718, Jon Harpole 232, Gary Willits 2335, Rod Hackett 234, Darrin Schreder 226-233-650

Snowy Lanes/Lewistown

Monday Doubles — Susan Costello 178(+55)

Tuesday Skyliners — P.J. Churchill 201

Wednesday Afternoon Ladies — Teresa Lamphier 209-557(+122), Linda Flesner 200-567(+138), Bert Lanphear 354(+102)

Wednesday Doubles — Cherie Errecart 210

Wednesday Pinetoppers — Bonnie Soulsby 192(+60), Leann Fisk 191(+58)-500(+101), Linda Danielson 186(+57)

Thursday Seniors — Donna Johnson 191(+49), June Dormady 201, Jeanne Erlandson 177(+46)

Sunday Mixed — Phyllis Hall 207, Ginny Vosen 203

Men's scores

Commercial — Dean Person 230, Tim Errecart 221(+72), Ted Campbell 206(+52)-589(+127)

Tuesday Trio — Jim Umber 201(+53)

Skyliners — John Stokken 258-689, Dave Pillar 248-674, Tim Anthony 205(+53)

Wednesday Doubles — Les Melichar 205(+77)-492(+108)

Thursday Seniors — Bob Kasala 147(+53)-391(+109)

Thursday Money — Duane Neeman 233-630(+204), Dewey Rosman 255, Rex Coleman 678

Thursday Merchant — Pete Peterson 246(+84)-598(+112), Charles Koch 192(+62)

Sunday Mixed — Joe Vosen 222(+63), Mike Otten 235, John McBurney 214(+56), Ted Knerr 235

Aces High/Malmstrom

Thurday Night Mixed Doubles — Les Taylor 212(+50)-219(+57)-611(+125), Bryan Mullett 246, Jerry Rangistch 241, Patty Morris 234, Robby Robinson 227, Roger Ash 238-657, Bob Shampo 225

Loonie Tunes — Martha Beebe 212, Paula Livingston 224, Patty Morris 226, Amy Mardis 207, Loretta Gallagher 192(+50), Misty Sturre 216, Linda Markham 199(+50), Juliana Cramer 210

Little's Lanes

Women's scores

Teachers Mixed — Shirley Sundquist 204

Monday Ladies Classic — Barb Jackson 216, Cristy Snider 202, Cindy Sikes 185(+51), Debbie Skinner 202-221, Kim Songer 184(+58), Lori Fossen 235, Tammy Cady 215

Casino — Pam Brendgord 269

Tuesday Nite Mixed — Judy Davison 202

A to Z — Connie Thompson made the 3-6-7 split; Kay Kinzinger 211

MixMasters — Barb Lankford 232, Doris Kimmerle 215, Guyla Streit 213-226-612, Judy Jackson 233, Kristen Egan 210, Roxie Foster 235, Teresa Solomon 200-222-602

725 Classified — Guyla Streit 220-201-204-625, Doris Kimmerle 211

Satellite Mixed — Billie Peterson 212, Karen Arps 204, Shawna Lane 201-214-604

Men's scores

Teachers Mixed — Bob Dickenson 202(sr.)

Casino — Tarl Dixon 226

Little's City — Art Raunig 194(+64), Don White 229-225, Ken Curry 258, Steve House 238

MixMasters — Bob Orham 247-652, Brian Brown 225, Brian Christianson 226-246-661, Donnie Zuhoski 256-659, Jim Aklestad 226-245-659, Jim Esther 258, Joe Levesey Jr. 241-662, Marlin Cross 246, Mike Carrethers 225, Mike Christensen 226, Pat Terry 268-225-685, Rick Cummings 225-259-259-743, Steve Lyczewski 247, Terry Sundquist 235, Terry Pearsall 225-653

Business House — Dan Wilkerson 226, Kyle Grossman 225-234-671

725 Classified — Al Pearsall 227-237-671, Bruce Hruska 254, Dan Schaaf 264-678, Jody Bastas 226-227-226-679, Mike Carrethers 229, Mike Christensen 259-660, Ron Underwood 233-669, Scott Craig 268, Wes Baker 228-242-658

Thursday Nite Mixed — Fred Berry 244, Ken Curry 235, Jim Rothweiler 259-655

Short Season Trio — Marion Olson 225, Mike Christensen 233

Utility — Adam Thoroughman 214(+60), Don Jordan 244(+58), Norm Miller 231, Jim Thoroughman 223(+60), Tom Martinez 247

Straight-A-Way — Al Pearsall 240, Bernie K. Dickman 229-258-669-1317(6), Brian Christianson 225, Donnie Zuhoski 236-226-654, Jim Esther 270-675, John Balzarini 258-245-242-745, Mike Carrethers 248, Mike Christensen 246, Rich Crawford 236-227-243-658-1302(6), Tarl Dixon 226, Willie McGee 235

Satellite Mixed — Allen Miller 236, Fred Sadler 226-245-674, Greg Romanchuk 212(+50)

Little's Seniors — Chet Knab 207, Della Johnson 222, Dick Gipe 210, Dick Ferderer 235, Elwood Sayler 200, Kay Kinzinger 192, Ken Ferguson 214, Mearl Christianson 211-204, Mel Kerbs 205, Roland Harris 224, Steve Lyczewski 207, Violet Harris 201, Wes Martin 214-247

Jack's Lanes/Fort Benton

Monday Dust Bowlers — Marvin Works 235

Monday Nite Mixed — John Lulf 268-684

Tuesday Nite Mixed — Guyla Streit 210, Tom Streit 236

Wednesday Triple L — Patty Paulsen 200, Paula Moorehead 225, Charleen Elliott 211

Thursday Nite Men — Cameron Tuss 245, Dick Fisher 245, Chuck Yager 237

Pro Alley Bowl/Belt

Monday Night Ladies — Marian Wall 193(+65), Moe Sanger 160(+51)

Black Eagle Lanes

Women's scores

Friday Fallouts — Mary Anderson 226, Pam Kinsella 211

Clubhouse 55 — Julia Stevenson 199(+56), Betty Butler 185(+45)

Howard Ghee Thursday Nite Mixed — Gloria Franz 206, Kelly Mangus 168(+55)

Black Eagle Seniors — Stretch Richards 248-622, Mary Reuter 212

Tuesday 55 Club — Betty Butler 176(+47)

Men's scores

Volunteers — Dave Winegar 187(+52)

Black Eagle Seniors — Don Richards 257-632, Dan Ruff 206, Bob Chesko 205-203, Elwood Sayler 203

Howard Ghee Thursday Nite Mixed — Marc Leonard 205(+83)

Friday Fallouts — Dean Hauer 215(+55), Dan Hauer 205(+50)