After making it 18 wins out of 18, Ex-Servicemen could complete a league and cup double in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League this Thursday.
The X-Men – pictured after winning the Payne Cup last month – play nearest rivals Mowers at the Cottage knowing that victory will see them retain the Chris Bullock Championship.
Here is the full round-up from last week’s matches …
Chris Bullock Championship
United Services 400, Ex-Servicemen 411
Ex-Servicemen took another significant step towards the title with an impressive 11-pin away win at United Services at the White Horse to go 14 points clear. Paul Fancy’s 56 helped the hosts reach an excellent 400, although a slower start for United Services saw them 15 down at half-time. The league leaders were left chasing three 65s to take the win and Dave Gardiner led from the front with a composed 58 as the X-Men once again showed the tenacity which has defined their season.
Mowers 382, Outsiders 363
Mowers saw off the challenge of Outsiders with a solid 19-pin home win over Outsiders at the Football Club. Vince Milton’s solid 55 was the standout contribution as Mowers built steady pressure across the board to maintain control of the game. Dave Burston’s deserved 54 ensured Outsiders remained competitive, but they were always just a few pins adrift. A good game with some top skittling on show.
Scuppas 355, King Pins 345
Scuppas strengthened their position in their chase for the second-place shield with a ten-pin victory over King Pins at the Cottage Inn. John Barker’s 54 provided the backbone of the home side’s total, giving them the edge. Steve Powell responded with 52 for King Pins, but the visitors couldn’t quite bridge the gap in the closing stages.
Home Guard IV 356, Foresters 356
Honours were even on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club, as Home Guard IV and Foresters finished level. Simon Davey’s excellent 54 put the hosts in a strong position, while Foresters shared the scoring load, with Simon Wall and Bob Burland both posting hard-working 49s. Neither side could find the decisive blow in the final hands, and a draw was probably a fair reflection of a finely balanced contest. It was a good result for Home Guard IV who look set to avoid the bottom spot for the first time in many years.
Odds and Ends 367, Nynehead Club 408
Nynehead Club produced one of the standout performances of the week, racking up 408 in a commanding 41-pin win away at Odds and Ends at the Victoria Arms. Dan Manicini was in scintillating form with a superb 68, the highest individual away score of the week, as Nynehead piled on the pressure from early on. Pete Wratten’s 52 was the pick of the home efforts, but Odds and Ends were unable to live with the visitors’ heavy scoring.
Here 4 the Beer 333, All Stars 355
All Stars picked up a 22-pin victory on the road against Here 4 the Beer on the tricky Institute alley. Adam Morgan’s 55 kept the hosts in the hunt for a time, but All Stars matched that effort through Tony Winchester’s excellent 55 and found better consistency as the match wore on. The result tightens the cluster of teams in mid-table, while Here 4 the Beer remain locked in the battle to avoid finishing bottom, but enjoy a four-point advantage over Odds and Ends.
Gerald Thorne Championship
Rebels 304, Relyon 347
Leaders Relyon continued their march towards the title with a solid away win over Rebels at the Cottage. Mark Smith and Sean Buttle both hit solid 49s to guide the Bedders to a 43-pin success in a hard-working match for both sides, maintaining their cushion at the top of the table. Rebels found scoring difficult on the night, with John Arnold’s 44 their best return. Relyon remain in control of the championship race, although the chasing pack are not far behind.
Home Guard II 294, Bell Green 331
Bell Green kept themselves firmly in the title hunt with a controlled 37-pin win away at the Football Club against a deflated Home Guard II. The hosts were led well by skipper Paul Williams’ 54, but a lack of consistency proved costly. Bell Green shared the scoring load effectively, with Simon Rudd and Will Essex both posting 43s as they ground out another important victory. Bell Green are well positioned and will hope to still be within touching distance when they meet Relyon in two games’ time, in what should be a great clash.
Queens Legs 368, Holywell Lake 401
Holywell Lake produced a powerful away performance to run out 33-pin winners over Queens Legs on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Lakers captain Steve Dowson led the charge with an excellent 61, helping the visitors break the 400 barrier and keep the pressure firmly on the top two. Queens Legs battled hard and were guided by skipper Daren Mason’s 51, but they struggled to stay with the Lakers’ consistent and heavy scoring across the board. The win keeps Holywell Lake right in the title race.
Club Rockers 324, Reservists 363
Reservists produced a solid display to defeat Club Rockers by 39 pins in the Institute derby. Phil Powell’s 49 led the way for Reservists, who applied steady pressure from start to finish. Chris Hemmings’ 46 was the highlight for Club Rockers, but they were unable to stem the tide as Reservists gradually pulled clear. The result keeps Reservists pushing strongly in the top five, while Club Rockers continue to endure a difficult campaign and sit joint bottom.
Shooters 386, Oaks 341
Shooters turned in a good display as they comfortably saw off Oaks by 45 pins at the Victoria Arms. Richard Cox stole the show with a superb 65 as Shooters built an imposing total. Oaks were led by Brenly Povey’s 51, the youngster collecting his team’s highest score two weeks in a row, but the visitors couldn’t find that extra rhythm to challenge Shooters.
Hot Shots 337, Fireguard A 336
Hot Shots edged the tightest contest of the evening, sneaking past Fireguard A by a single pin in a nail-biting finish at the Conservative Club. Gary Pepper’s vital 47 set the tone for the hosts, while Adrian Ridgeway matched that tally for Fireguard A in a close contest. With neither side able to create daylight, it came down to the final hand and Hot Shots just did enough to secure a crucial win as Fireguard A were left to ponder the odd missed pin.
OBA 368, Report Centre A 317
OBA claimed a convincing 51-pin victory over Report Centre A on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Denver Clarke’s solid 52 anchored the home effort, with OBA maintaining steady scoring throughout to post a good total for the alley. Report Centre A found it tough going despite M Hobbs’ 47 and were unable to click into gear on a tricky night.
Highest Away Scores
Top Team – Ex-Servicemen, 411 at the White Horse Inn (Bradford).
Top Player – Dan Manicini, 68 for Nynehead Club at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs).
League tables
Fixtures
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday
All Stars v Odds and Ends at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Foresters v Here 4 the Beer at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
King Pins v Home Guard IV at the Football Club
Nynehead Club v United Services at the Nynehead Club
WRFC v Scuppas at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Ex-Servicemen v Mowers at the Cottage Inn
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday
Bell Green v Rebels at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Holywell Lake v Home Guard II at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Fireguard A v OBA at the Football Club
Reservists v Queens Legs at the RG Institute
Report Centre A v Shooters at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Oaks v Club Rockers at the Blue Ball
Cottage Pies v Hot Shots at the Cottage Inn
Gerald Thorne Championship (back match) – Saturday
Cottage Pies v Home Guard II at the Cottage Inn
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday, 26th February
Outsiders v Ex-Servicemen at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Odds and Ends v Foresters at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Mowers v Nynehead Club at the Football Club
Here 4 the Beer v King Pins at the RG Institute
Home Guard IV v WRFC at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
United Services v All Stars at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, 27th February
Shooters v Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
OBA v Cottage Pies at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Relyon v Bell Green at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Rebels v Holywell Lake at the Cottage Inn
Club Rockers v Report Centre A at the RG Institute
Home Guard II v Reservists at the Football Club
Queens Legs v Oaks at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
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