Mowers have got off to a winning start in their bid to retain the Ken Bright Cup in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League.
They are pictured receiving the cup last season from league secretary, Marc Bright. Also in the picture is president Andy Govier.
Here are the first-round reports, followed by the forthcoming fixtures …
Mowers 12, All Stars 2
Mowers made an emphatic start to their title defence with a commanding 12–2 victory over All Stars at the Victoria Arms on the upstairs alley. Vince Milton led the way with an excellent 55, helping them secure their place in round two. All Stars had decent contributions from Callum Richardson and skipper Jamie Milton, who both recorded 51s.
Ex-Servicemen 10, Report Centre A 4
Ex-Servicemen made a winning start to their cup campaign, defeating Report Centre A at the Victoria Arms on the downstairs alley. Both sides had their moments across the six hands and finished with identical top scores, Kev Denslow recording 52 for Ex-Servicemen and David Bennet matching that total for Report Centre A. Ultimately, Ex-Servicemen’s stronger overall performance proved decisive.
OBA 4, Home Guard IV 10
Home Guard IV secured an impressive victory over OBA at Nynehead Club. OBA found it tough going on the Nynehead alley, despite a solid individual performance from captain Andy Kemp, who top scored with 51. Home Guard IV proved the stronger outfit, Pete Spencer leading their scoring with an excellent 54.
Oaks 9, Here 4 the Beer 5
Oaks edged ahead of Here 4 the Beer to secure victory in a competitive opening-round clash at the Institute. There was little to separate the sides across the six hands, but Oaks managed to collect enough points to come away with the win. Kane Harston top scored for Oaks with 47, while Adam Morgan led the way for Here 4 the Beer with 45.
Shooters 5, Rebels 9
Rebels progressed to the next round after overcoming Shooters by nine points to five at the Football Club. It was a good match, with Shooters putting up a good fight, but Rebels managed to win enough of the individual hands to secure their passage through to the next stage. John Sellick was the standout performer for Rebels with an excellent 60, while Richard Cox led the Shooters’ challenge with a fine 57.
Queens Legs 12, Nynehead Club 2
Queens Legs produced one of the most convincing performances of the round, sweeping aside Nynehead Club at the Cottage Inn. Alfie Hill led the way with an excellent 56, while Nynehead Club struggled to find their usual scoring form on the notorious alley, Nige top-scoring with 43.
Cottage Pies 7, Bell Green 7 – Bell Green win
The tie between Cottage Pies and Bell Green ended level at seven points apiece at the Victoria Arms but it was the Bee Gees, who hit the higher overall score and progressed to the next round. Both teams had fought out an even contest across the six hands, with Pies’ captain Lee Ellis producing an excellent 59, while Terry White top scored for Bell Green with 56. Ex-Servicemen await the Bee Gees in the next round – the sides met in last season’s WESSL Championship final.
Relyon 3, Reservists 11
Reservists booked their place in the next round with an impressive victory over Relyon at the Victoria Arms upstairs. Neil Sparks was their leading scorer with an excellent 59, while Relyon had a fine individual performance from John Jenkins, who reached 60.
Chris Bullock Championship – back match
Foresters 378, Scuppas 421
Scuppas produced an outstanding performance to defeat Foresters by 43 at the White Horse Inn. Foresters put together a good total, Greg Browne leading their scoring with a fine 55, but Scuppas proved too strong as they made light work of the home team’s score. Adrian Newstead was the star of the evening with a superb 65, helping his side break through the 400 mark and secure a convincing victory.
Fixtures
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday
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
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
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday, November 12th
King Pins v Foresters at the Football Club
United Services v Mowers at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Odds and Ends v Here 4 the Beer at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Home Guard IV v Scuppas at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Nynehead Club v WRFC at the Nynehead Club
Ex-Servicemen v All Stars at the Cottage Inn
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, November 13th
Oaks v Bell Green at the Nynehead Club
Cottage Pies v Home Guard II at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Shooters v Reservists at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Rebels v Relyon at the Cottage Inn
Club Rockers v Holywell Lake at the RG Institute
Fireguard A v Queens Legs at the Football Club
Hot Shots v Report Centre A at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
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