All Stars enjoyed a derby victory to take over as sole leaders of the Chris Bullock Championship in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League.
Meanwhile, champions Bell Green won again in the Gerald Thorne Championship.
This week’s featured team are Here for the Beer, from left, Ben Wyeth, Jimmy Cooper, Ross Cobley (captain), Jack Dyson, Will Brewer, Elliott Broom, Adam Morgan, Ollie Price and Ben Price.
Chris Bullock Championship
Home Guard IV 393, All Stars 411
All Stars came out on top in a high-scoring contest against Home Guard IV in the derby clash at the Conservative Club, securing an 18-pin victory on the upstairs alley. Home Guard IV put together an excellent total, with Dan Peters producing a superb 62 to lead their scoring. All Stars responded with an even stronger team performance to smash past the 400 mark, Andy Chappell top-scoring with an impressive 59. Both sides enjoyed a good night on the alley, but All Stars found those vital extra pins needed to claim the points in a great match.
Odds and Ends 372, Mowers 425
Mowers produced an outstanding performance to claim a convincing 53-pin victory over Odds and Ends on the downstairs track at the Victoria Arms. Odds and Ends posted a good total, skipper Nick Timewell leading the way with an excellent 56, but Mowers proved too strong as they raced to the joint highest away score of the season so far. John Dodden and Vince Milton shared top score with superb 61s, helping their side build a great score.
Nynehead Club 361, Scuppas 353
Nynehead Club came away with the points after a good match against Scuppas at Nynehead, winning by just eight pins. The home side picked up pins well to set a good score on the tricky alley, with Dan Mancini producing a fine 57 to lead their scoring. Scuppas kept the pressure on throughout, Craig Newstead top-scoring with a solid 53. There was little to separate the two sides, but Nynehead Club did enough to hold on for victory in a good game where every pin mattered.
Ex-Servicemen 341, Outsiders 350
Outsiders secured a hard-fought nine-pin victory over Ex-Servicemen at the Cottage Inn. In a relatively low-scoring contest, both sides found it difficult to build any momentum, leaving the result finely balanced. Ex-Servicemen were spare-less for the first game in four years and struggled with many balls sailing through the pack. Kev Denslow was the pick of the X-Men with 48. Outsiders managed to edge ahead in the game, thanks in part to picking up spare chances. Gerry Larcombe was their top player with an excellent 53, helping his side secure the points. Outsiders will be pleased to come away with the win after a closely fought game, while the X-Men look to bounce back in the Ken Bright Cup.
WRFC 370, Foresters 369
Rugby Club edged past Foresters by the narrowest of margins in a thrilling contest on the downstairs alley of the Conservative Club. In a game where every pin proved crucial, the hosts secured victory by just one pin. Paul Higgs led the Rugby Club’s scoring with an excellent 54, while Foresters had strong contributions from Greg Browne and John Chim, who both recorded good 51s. Foresters will be left wondering what might have been after coming so close, but the home side will be delighted to have held on for a great win.
King Pins 390, Here 4 the Beer 381
King Pins’ good form continued as they secured a nine-pin victory over Here 4 the Beer at the Football Club. King Pins posted a strong score, Jordan Bryant and Ryan Marke sharing the top score with 57 apiece. Here 4 the Beer remained firmly in contention and found a strong total of their own, Ben Price leading their scoring with an excellent 56. There was little to separate the teams throughout, but King Pins managed to find just enough extra pins to secure the points in another great game.
Gerald Thorne Championship
Rebels 364, Holywell Lake 385
Holywell Lake secured a convincing 21-pin victory over Rebels at the Cottage Inn, producing a strong performance to take the points and stay within touching distance of top spot. Rebels saw Charlie Knight and John Sellick sharing top score with solid 55s, but the Lakers proved the stronger side. Ryan Skeels led the way for the visitors with an excellent 60, helping his side over the line. With Bell Green having a bye in the next league games, the Lakers have a chance to go joint top if they can overcome Fireguard A.
Oaks 348, Queens Legs 375
Queens Legs came away with a comfortable victory over Oaks at Nynehead Club. Oaks saw Josh Navarra leading the way with a solid 51, but Queens Legs fund the alley easier going to claim the game by a good margin. Stuart Sutton was their top scorer with an excellent 55 with the visitors securing the points after a strong team display. Both sides’ attention now turns to the Ken Bright Cup.
Cottage Pies 404, OBA 357
Cottage Pies produced a great performance to defeat OBA by 47 pins on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Cottage Pies broke through the 400 mark, James May leading the way with an outstanding 64. OBA struggled to match their opponents’ heavy scoring, although Andy Kemp contributed a solid 52. A great win for the Pies who will hope to build momentum as they look ahead to the Ken Bright Cup.
Fireguard A 373, Reservists 387
Reservists secured a 14-pin victory over Fireguard A at the Football Club in a good match. Fireguard A put together a solid total, Olly Hayes leading their scoring with a well-deserved 54, but Reservists managed to edge ahead. Kevin Sedgebeer recorded 54 of his own to share top score of the game, while helping his side maintain the advantage and claim the points. It was a competitive contest between two well-matched teams, but Reservists showed their class to come away with a valuable win.
Bell Green 386, Relyon 374
Defending champions and league leaders, Bell Green, continued their strong form with a 12-pin victory over last season’s title chasers, Relyon. Bell Green posted an excellent total on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms, Simon Rudd producing a superb 60 to lead the home side’s scoring. Relyon remained firmly in contention, putting together a strong total of their own, Mike Hutchings contributing an impressive 57. The visitors kept the pressure on throughout, but the Bee Gees’ overall performance proved just strong enough to secure the points in a closely contested match.
Club Rockers 318, Home Guard II 341
Home Guard II picked up a 23-pin victory over Club Rockers at the Institute in a relatively low-scoring encounter. Club Rockers struggled to find their rhythm, despite Mark Bowen leading their efforts with a good 50. Home Guard II produced the stronger total, Steve Symons top scoring with a well taken 52. It was not the highest-scoring game of the round, but that added to the competitiveness with Home Guard II pleased to have done enough to secure three points.
Shooters 355, Report Centre A 342
Shooters claimed a 13-pin victory over Report Centre A at the Victoria Arms, Alan Sydenham leading the way with a fine 52 for the hosts. Report Centre A came close, with A. Founks once again the standout performer for Report Centre A with an excellent 55, but his individual effort was not quite enough to turn the result in his side’s favour. Shooters will be pleased to come away with the points after holding off a determined challenge from their opponents.
Highest Away Scores
Top Team – Mowers, 425 at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs).
Top Player – John Dodden and Vince Milton, 61 for Mowers at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs).
League Tables
Fixtures
Ken Bright Cup First Round – Thursday
Ex-Servicemen v Report Centre A at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
OBA v Home Guard IV at the Nynehead Club
Mowers v All Stars at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Oaks v Here 4 the Beer at the RG Institute
Ken Bright Cup First Round – Friday
Shooters v Rebels at the Football Club
Queens Legs v Nynehead Club at the Cottage Inn
Cottage Pies v Bell Green at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Relyon v Reservists at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday, November 5th
Here 4 the Beer v Home Guard IV at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
All Stars v Odds and Ends at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Foresters v Nynehead Club at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Mowers v Ex-Servicemen at the Football Club
Outsiders v United Services at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Scuppas v King Pins at the Cottage Inn
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, November 6th
Queens Legs v Rebels at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Home Guard II v Shooters at the Football Club
Holywell Lake v Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Report Centre A v Cottage Pies at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
OBA v Hot Shots at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Relyon v Oaks at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Reservists v Club Rockers at the RG Institute
***
Around Wellington Sport is sponsored by Tone Gate Motors – visit their website by CLICKING HERE