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The finals of the Vincent Hall Memorial Cup (VHMC) were held at the Vincent Hall Training Center, in Southborough, Massachusetts  on October 25, 2025. The VHMC follows in the footsteps of the Paul Forry Memorial Cup, sponsored by Buddiesproshop.com. The first three champions of the Paul Forry were Adam Zimmerman, Bill Webb, and Kyle Perillo. Who would add their name to this distinguished list? 

The four finalists were Dennis Bissonette, Nathan Demello, Michael Martell, and Joey Transue. The format was that all four finalists first bowled three games, and the top three scores were then seeded into a 3-man stepladder, and the low score was awarded the $775 fourth place prize. The two-match stepladder matches were a “race to two” format as used by the PBA on their telecasts. Danny Kaye was acting TD for the proceedings and the pattern was the 2025 Open championships Doubles and Singles pattern. 

The finals were dedicated to the memory of Jen Hocurscak, NEBA bowler who lost her battle with cancer recently. 

In the first three games, the two righties got off to a fast start, with Martell trailing the other three finalists after game one. However, Michael started with the front ten in game two, finishing with 288. Demello had the hot hand from the start, opening up a sizable lead after two games. Michael strung strikes in the third game to come within a mark of the lead, but Nate hung on to claim the number one seed 744 – 738. Joey and Dennis were batting for third and fourth, with Dennis leading going into game three, but early in the game Joey doubled and Dennis opened to close the gap to within a mark. However, Dennis strung strikes later in the game and ended up securing third place with 647 to Joey’s 600. Joey collected the $775 fourth place prize, and takes his Bowler of the Year lead into the final two events of the year. 

The first stepladder match featured Martell versus Bissonette. Michael kept up his torrid scoring pace, winning game one 276 – 246, and then winning the match with a 268 – 192 victory in game two, giving Martell 544 for the two-game set. Dennis received $1,125 for third place. 

Then it was on to the title match against Demello. Nate started strong, continuing to capitalize on his superior shot making. However, later in game one he started lose his look and ended up with 234, still enough to take the game against Martell’s 209. Game two was a real grind out, with Michael doubling early but then neither player able to strike in the middle of the game, but neither player opening either. Michael managed another double late in the game and Nate finally doubled but it wasn’t enough, with Martell taking game two 209 - 200. 

The race to two format features a one-ball sudden death format if the players tie at one game each. Michael was the higher seed and chose to have Nate start the roll off on the right lane. Nate pulled his shot to go Brooklyn but still got 9, and Michael left a seven pin to tie and continue the roll off. Nate then left a 4 pin on the left lane, and Michael then blew the rack to strike and claim the VHMC title! He pocketed the $2,000 top prize with Nate receiving $1,550 for second. 

NEBA would like to thank TechVision and the Hall family for sponsoring this event honoring Bruce’s dad, Vincent Hall, and continuing the great legacy of the Paul Forry Memorial Cup in memory of Chris Forry’s dad. We can look forward to continuing the tradition next year with another VHMC! 

Champion’s message: “Winning this event was the culmination of a gritty, dedicated year. Being one of the more consistent finalists at NEBA, yet not having a title this season, took a toll on the mental game at times when I felt I could not get over that hump again. This win, especially in the fashion it came, erased all doubts of winning at this level and above; I am eager to recreate this feeling once again!” - Michael Martell