Local bowling team, South Side, recently took the US by storm at the 2003 National Bowling Association of America Championships (TNBA) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

South Side raised eyebrows in the sunshine state when they captured second place honours, competing against 410 other teams from the US in the team event.

The local team, comprised of Alfred Wright, Eugene Lima, Graham and Lou Furbert and Quinton Hayward, pocketed $2,900 for their outstanding achievement.

Wright emerged as the team's highest scorer while Hayward finished with the two-day tournament's highest series after recording 701 in singles action.

Accompanying the east end team at the 62nd annual TNBA championships were four other teams from Warwick Lanes. The event took place late last month in Florida.

"It was the first time in a very long time that a Bermudian team has done so well in this competition (TNBA)," commented Hayward yesterday.

"I'm very proud of their performances because this was the second time that I've taking the guys overseas."

Hayward attributed hours of practice, cohesiveness and harmony to the local team's success and is now looking forward to even greater things at next year's championships in Dallas, Texas.

"We went down to Virginia and worked out for three days," added Hayward.

"So when we got to Fort Lauderdale the guys were really geared up. But God spares life . . . we look forward to going back next year to Dallas for the the TNBA championships and also to Las Vegas, Nevada for the American Bowling Championships (ABC)."

Hayward said he hoped to take an additional three teams from South Side next year to the TNBA and ABC bowling championships in the US.

Meanwhile, team Bermuda Gombeys IV pocketed $1,200 after finishing fifth, Bermuda Gombeys I $125.00, while Caisey Burgess, Wayne Kelly, David Cann, Furbert, Lima, Donald Dane and Hayward each earned singles prizes for their efforts.