Balding, Grey: THE STAN LEE CUP (St. Patrick's)

Ben and Peter Duke It Out

What it's all about: The Stan Lee Cup

The second edition of the Stan Lee Cup Euchre Championship of Most of the Known World was held on Sunday and what a dandy it was. The Grand Championship came down to a sudden-death, winner-takes-all match between Ben Milledge and Peter Bacon. Joining them at the Champion's Table for all the marbles were Dave Oliver, and Charlie Cooney (reprising his finalist appearance in November, 2011).

The weather was so summer-like that two of the three competition tables were located outside, and mosquitos became an issue. After three intense sessions consisting of five rotations each, we were left with an all-male table on the porch fighting for the big burrito, a foursome in the bay window comprising the two McLachlans visiting from Toronto, Coleen and Paul, as well as Margot Coulter and Leslee Oliver, two finalists from the first tournament who manged to fall to the middle bracket where only $15.00 were at stake, and a Cat's table featuring Defending Champion Missy Molloy, with Bev Bacon, Fran Cooney, and Greg Milledge.

Full results after regulation play:

I made it Spades... for my partner

1. Charlie Cooney, 61 points, and $15.25
2. Ben Milledge, 60 points, and $15.00 even
3. Peter Bacon, 53 points, and $13.25
4. Dave Oliver, 50 points, for $12.50

Dave Oliver had started the third session one point behind Margot Coulter, but caught her on the second rotation of the third session, and then passed her on the third. Whew!!

5. Margot Coulter, 49 points, and $12.25
6. Leslee Oliver, 48 points, for $12.00
7. Coleen McLachlan, 45 points, and $11.25
8. Paul McLachlan, 43 points, and $10.75

Leslee Oliver had started slowly, but with 36 points earned in the second and third sessions, she was catching fire... just a little too late.

9. Fran Cooney, 41 points, and $10.25 (Canadian Funds)
10.Bev Bacon, 39 points, for $9.75
11.Missy Molloy, 38 points, and $9.50, tied with
11.Greg Milledge, 38 points, and also $9.50

In the fifth rotation of the first session, Ben and Margot made history by scoring a 10 pointer up in the bay window. That capped a 26 point first session for Ben, and an early, commanding lead. It is understood that that 26 points is also a record for points in any one session.

Pot Luck

AFTER DINNER

After a wonderful potluck dinner, and a little wine, the Championship round was played.

Paul and Coleen

At the Cat's Table Bev Bacon made mince meat out of the rest of us to get her name on the trophy (AND $15.00). It was Bev Bacon 14, Missy Molloy 10, Fran Cooney 7, and Greg Milledge finishing dead last in both departments with 5.

At the Queen's Table it was very close with Coleen McLachlan capturing honours (AND $15.00) at 14, with Margot Coulter right behind with 13, and Paul McLachlan 9, Leslee Oliver 6.

Peter's Winning Hand

The real drama was saved for the Championship Table, of course. One rotation produced a tie score. Ben Milledge and Peter Bacon deadlocked with 9 each, Dave Oliver 6, and Charlie Cooney 2. There was a draw for partners and Peter won Charlie, which left Ben and Dave together. The Bacon luck held, and Bev's husband
Peter Bacon brought home the trophy by winning the March 18, 2012 edition of the Stan Lee Cup. AND $25.00 extra for his trouble.

The Stan Lee Cup Committee would like to thank our generous sponsers:

The Bad Year Rubber Company... "Remember: If your cheque bounces, it's a Bad Year."

(I stole that from Rocky and Bullwinkle.)