There were big shocks in the second round of the Payne Cup in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League with both last season’s winners and runners-up crashing out.
This week’s featured team are Home Guard IV, pictured from left, Nick Grabham, Will Smith, Pete Reading, Sam Berg, Simon Davey, Greg Sellers, Adrian Lines, Dan Peter.
Queens Legs 361, WRFC 380
Going into this game, the rugby boys were undefeated in all games and the Queens Legs still without a league win. Playing downstairs at the Victoria Arms, there were only 19 pins in it. Top scorers on the night were Adam Hill hitting 53 for Queens legs. For the rugby boys it was Andy Pearce with 57.
Shooters 342, Ex-Servicemen 381
GT league leaders Shooters faced Ex-Servicemen currently in third place in the CB league but also without a loss, the game being played at the football club. One of the less predictable alleys in the town, the chasing team had the advantage. Top score for Shooters was Rich Cox with 53 and Dave Gardiner hit 56 for Ex-Servicemen.
Rebels 310, Home Guard 4 323
Yet another fixture with a Thursday night team playing against a Friday team. One of the closer of the clashes in the second round with only 13 pins between them. It ended with Home Guard IV strolling into the next round. Top score on the night was John Sellick with 44 for Rebels. And the captain on top again for Home Guard with Sam Berg hitting 46.
Scuppas 385, Mowers 370
This all-Thursday night clash sas two teams face each other early as both are always in the running for this cup. With this game being played upstairs at the Vic, come the end Scuppas set just little too much for Mowers to chase down winning by just 15 pins.
OBA 386, Fireguard A 353
This game saw two Friday night teams go head-to-head at the Victoria Arms downstairs. With OBA on fire with a good score of 386 it was just too much for the Fireguard A to put out and progress to the next round. OBA’s Jason Vincent hit 56 while for Fireguard A it was two players scoring 50, Olly Hayes, Will Leak.
Reservists 346, Nynehead Club 360
This fixture saw new boys Nynehead come up against last year’s runners up with the game being played at the football club. This can be another tricky alley and with Reservist choosing to use the rubber lightweight pink balls. and hitting a total of 346. It seems new boys are not fazed by the pressure and won by 14 pins. Top scores on the night were Kevin Sedgbeer with 48 for Reservists and for Nynehead Jimmy Compton and Tom O’Neil with 50 each
Holywell Lake 339, Odds and Ends 348
Last year’s winners Holywell Lake were up against a Thursday night team Odds and Ends still looking to get their season up and running with having a bye in the first round and also in the league. Going down to the Cottage Inn on a cold and damp night was always going to be tricky for both teams. The scores show this was the case as well. Odds and Ends were the chasing team and went into the next round. For Holywell Lake there were two players ending the night with 49 – Lee Newberry and Ryan Skeels. As for Odds and Ends it was Dan Smith top, hitting 50.
Bell Green 341, Relyon 333
This was Relyon’s first cup game of the season after a bye in the previous round. Bell Green were on a high after knocking out the Cottage Pies in the first round and they set the bar a little to high for Relyon who fell just short, losing by just eight pins. Top score for Bell Green was ex-skipper Michael Johnson hitting 49. As for Relyon, it was 48 from new skipper Marc Smith.