The latest round of matches in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League saw Mowers move back to the top of the Chris Bullock Championship and Holywell Lake extend their lead in the Gerald Thorne Championship.
This week’s featured team are United Services, who play on Thursday nights – rear, from left, Phil Braddick, Geoff Smith, Kevin Austin, Nigel Marsden, Ben Gamlin, Simon Gamlin (captain), Andy Gamlin. Front, Dave Groves, Paul Fancy, Adam Howe. Not in photo, Phil John and Neville Pitman.
CHRIS BULLOCK CHAMPIONSHIP
All Stars 366, Mowers 400
Mowers climbed back to the top of the division with a 34-pin win away to All Stars at the Victoria Arms. C. Richardson scored 62 for All Stars with Steve Foster also scoring 62 for Mowers in reply, but it was the away side who found more rhythm, smashing past the hosts’ total to take the three points on offer.
Ex-Servicemen 375, King Pins 348
Ex-Servicemen beat King Pins by 27 pins at the Institute – a vital win which keeps them in touching distance of top spot. K. Denslow scored a stunning 63 for the X-Men. J. Bryant and A. Bryant both scored 48 for King Pins, but this was the latest in a long line of defeats for them in a season to forget.
Scuppas 367, Here 4 the Beer 368
Scuppas’ title hopes took a blow with a single-pin defeat to Here 4 the Beer at the Cottage Inn. R. Howe had scored 55 for Scuppas to help them set a decent target but B. Price hit 53 in the H4tB reply, with the away side finding that little bit extra to sneak over the line and take the win. Scuppas are now three points off top spot while Here 4 the Beer are having a great season and find themselves in fourth place.
Home Guard IV 366, WRFC 365
Home Guard IV won the “upstairs/downstairs” derby at the Conservative Club with single-pin victory over Rugby Club on the upstairs alley. J. Vallance scored 51 for the home side to help them reach a decent score. Terry Jones hit 49 for the Rugby Club in reply but they fell just short.
Moonrakers 337, United Services 291
Moonrakers won by 46 pins against travelling United Services at the Football Club. BrianHookway was the man of the night for the Rakers with a well-deserved 51. Geoff Smith hit 41 for United Services who struggled to find any form on the night and Moonrakers recorded a very good win.
Outsiders 356, Odds and Ends 354
Outsiders won by two as they faced off against Odds and Ends on the downstairs alley of the Conservative Club. T. Sharland hit 50 for Outsiders to see them past the 350 mark. B. Cushing hit 52 for Odds and Ends but the away side couldn’t quite make it over the line.
GERALD THORNE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bell Green 329, Holywell Lake 388
Holywell Lake won by 59 pins as they put Bell Green to the sword at the Victoria Arms and the win puts the defending champions seven points clear at the top of the table with 12 games to go. A. Colman scored 48 for the Greeners who hit a below-par score. S. Newberry scored 57 for the Lakers to help them make light work of Bell Green’s total.
Fireguard A 292, OBA 322
OBA won by 30 pins at the Football Club against Fireguard A with D. Clarke hitting 46 for OBA along the way. Olly H scored 50 for Fireguard A, but the home side found things tough going on the night. A good win for OBA who will hope this can be the start of a run of positive results.
Oaks 341, Hot Shots 375
Hot Shots picked up a 34-pin win away to Oaks at the Blue Ball with A. Govier and E. Chivers hitting 59 each as the away side ended Oaks’ five-game winning run. J. Navarra hit 52 for Oaks, but it wasn’t to be for the home side as Hot Shots comfortably reached their target to take the points on offer.
Rebels 397, Queens Legs 384
Rebels won by 13 pins as they hosted Queens Legs at the Cottage Inn. C. Knight and J.L. Sellick both scored 57 for Rebels who recorded a strong total which was just short of 400. A. Hill hit 61 for Queens Legs in reply, but the away side could not keep pace with the high scoring Rebels on the night.
Relyon 359, Home Guard II 355
Relyon won by four pins in a close game against Home Guard II, denting the visitors’ title hopes in the process. Relyon’s Mr Reliable, Rob Higgs, hit 51 to help earn them the win while E. Collett, enjoying a solid season, was the away side’s top scorer.
Report Centre A 366, Cottage Pies 387
Cottage Pies picked up a much-needed win away to Report Centre A at the White Horse Inn. N. Thomas scored 53 for RCA while R. Marke hit 54 in the Cottage Pies reply as the away side ran out comfortable winners to give their confidence a boost. The Pies were contending for the title but have fallen off the pace with some disappointing results. Could this be the start of a winning streak?
Shooters 372, Club Rockers 363
Club Rockers were shot down at the Victoria Arms by nine pins as Shooters claimed the win. A. Sydenham scored 54 for Shooters to help his side to a good score. C. Hyland hit 52 for the Rockers, but the team from Rockwell Green couldn’t quite get to their target on the night.
TOP AWAY SCORERS
Mowers 400 – at the Victoria Arms (downstairs).
Steve Foster – 62 for Mowers at the Victoria Arms (downstairs).
LEAGUE TABLES (followed by fixtures)
FIXTURES
CB Championship – Thursday
Foresters vs. All Stars at the White Horse Inn (Bradford).
Here 4 the Beer vs. Ex-Servicemen at the RG Institute.
King Pins vs. Outsiders at the Victoria Arms (upstairs).
Mowers vs. Home Guard IV at the Football Club.
Odds and Ends vs. Moonrakers at the Victoria Arms (downstairs).
WRFC vs. Scuppas at the Conservative Club (downstairs).
GT Championship – Friday
Bell Green vs. Reservists at the Victoria Arms (upstairs).
Fireguard A vs. Hot Shots at the Football Club.
Oaks vs. Cottage Pies at the Blue Ball.
Queens Legs vs. Report Centre A at the Conservative Club (upstairs).
Rebels vs. Home Guard II at the Cottage Inn.
Relyon vs. Holywell Lake at the Conservative Club (downstairs).
Shooters vs. OBA at the Victoria Arms (downstairs).
CB Championship – Thursday, February 8th
Ex-Servicemen vs. WRFC at the RG Institute.
Home Guard IV vs. Foresters at the Conservative Club (upstairs).
Moonrakers vs. King Pins at the Football Club.
Outsiders vs. Here 4 the Beer at the Conservative Club (downstairs).
Scuppas vs. Mowers at the Cottage Inn.
United Services vs. Odds and Ends at the White Horse Inn (Bradford).
GT Championship – Friday, February 9th
Club Rockers vs. OBA at the RG Institute.
Fireguard A vs. Cottage Pies at the Football Club.
Oaks vs. Queens Legs at the Blue Ball.
Rebels vs. Holywell Lake at the Cottage Inn.
Relyon vs. Reservists at the Conservative Club (downstairs).
Report Centre A vs. Home Guard II at the White Horse Inn (Bradford).
Shooters vs. Hot Shots at the Victoria Arms (downstairs).
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