There are joint leaders in both divisions of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League after the latest round of matches on Thursday and Friday.
Pictured are King Pins, who are top of the Chris Bullock Championship along with All Stars.
Chris Bullock Championship
Mowers 344, Ex-Servicemen 360
Ex-Servicemen came away with a 16-pin victory over Mowers at the Football Club, in a real game of two halves. Mowers struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, with the X-Men taking a 35-pin advantage into the break. X-Men skipper Adrian Perry led the way for the visitors with a fine 59. Mowers saw Darren Winter hit a strong 58 but, despite a spirited second half, the home side were unable to close the gap. An important win for the defending champions as they look to make it three championships in a row. Mowers will be keen to bounce back when they face United Services at the White Horse.
Here 4 the Beer 341, Home Guard IV 351
Home Guard IV picked up a ten-pin victory over Here 4 the Beer in a closely contested match on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Both sides found pins difficult to come by, but the away side did enough to edge ahead and secure the win. Will Brewer was the top scorer for Here 4 the Beer with a fine 53, while Will Smith led the way for the visitors with 47.
All Stars 397, Odds and Ends 361
All Stars produced another impressive home performance to claim a 36-pin victory over Odds and Ends. Jamie Milton, the home side’s captain, was in excellent form as he led the way with a superb 61 on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Odds and Ends were unable to match their opponents’ strong scoring, with James Jones, Dan Smith and Pete Wratten sharing their side’s top score of 49.
Foresters 402, Nynehead Club 391
Foresters secured a hard-fought 11-pin win over Nynehead Club in a great game at the White Horse. Aron Lockyer was the standout performer of the evening, producing an excellent 69 to help his side over the line as Foresters finished just above the 400 mark. Nynehead Club put up a strong challenge of their own, with Lewis Sparks top-scoring with a solid 53, but it was not quite enough to prevent the hosts taking the points.
Outsiders 346, United Services 358
United Services claimed a 12-pin win over Outsiders after a competitive match on the downstairs alley at the Conservative Club. The visitors saw Andy Gamlin, Ben Gamlin and Simon Gamlin all recording 47 to provide strong consistency to the United Services scoring. Outsiders were led by Martyn Sharland, Ron Smith and Dave Burston, who each scored good 50s, but their combined efforts were not quite enough to turn the result in their favour on a difficult night for the home side.
Scuppas 370, King Pins 388
King Pins continued their strong form with an 18-pin victory over Scuppas at the Cottage. Shane Powell was the top scorer for the winners with an excellent 55, helping King Pins post a solid total. Scuppas put up a decent score of their own, with Craig Newstead leading their challenge on 53, but King Pins had enough in reserve to take the points. They will be hoping to keep their winning run going when they face Foresters next up.
Gerald Thorne Championship
Queens Legs 363, Rebels 365
Rebels edged out Queens Legs by two pins in an extremely close contest on the upstairs track at the Conservative Club. Both sides were evenly matched throughout, but Charlie Knight’s vital 50 proved enough to help Rebels finish just ahead. Colin Francis was the leading scorer for Queens Legs with 49, but his side were narrowly denied the points in a match which could have gone either way.
Home Guard II 375, Shooters 328
Home Guard II recorded a convincing 47-pin victory over Shooters at the Football Club. Richard Henwood was in excellent form for the winners, producing a superb 58 to help his side reach a strong total. Shooters’ Keith Harcombe finished as the match’s top individual scorer with 59, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Home Guard II from taking the win and the points.
Holywell Lake 393, Fireguard A 363
Holywell Lake produced a strong performance to claim a 30-pin win over Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms. Dave Howell and Terry Dowson shared the top score for the Lakers with excellent contributions of 55 apiece. Fireguard A put up a good showing, with Ben Sellick leading their scoring on 52, but Holywell Lake had the edge over the game and deserved the points. The win sees the Lakers go joint top, taking advantage of Bell Green’s bye week.
Report Centre A 361, Cottage Pies 393
Cottage Pies secured a comfortable 32-pin victory over Report Centre A at the White Horse Inn. Dan Thorne and Paul Robinson led the way for the visitors with good 55s as the Pies put together a strong score. Report Centre A were unable to keep pace and, despite a solid 53 from A. Frounks, they could not match the visitors’ heavy scoring and the game got away from them.
OBA 369, Hot Shots 379
Hot Shots came away with a ten-pin victory over OBA after a closely fought encounter on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Alex Govier was in fine form for the visitors, top scoring with 56 to help Hot Shots reach 379. OBA made a strong challenge of their own, with Paul Beer recording an excellent 57, but it was not quite enough to turn the result in their favour.
Relyon 345, Oaks 339
Relyon picked up a six-pin victory over Oaks in a tight contest on the downstairs alley at the Conservative Club. Jason Hayes led the way for the Bedders with a good 50, helping his side hold on for the win despite a determined challenge from Oaks. Ashley Bright was the top scorer for the visitors with a solid 51, but Oaks were unable to make up the pins needed to overturn the narrow deficit.
Reservists 346, Club Rockers 323
Reservists claimed a 23-pin victory over Club Rockers in the Institute derby. Kevin Sedgebeer was among the leading performers for the home side, scoring a fine 50. Club Rockers saw Chris Hemming hit a 50 of his own, but the Rockers struggled to find the same consistency as Reservists pressed their advantage in the second half. A solid win for Reservists who are only a point off the top spot.
Highest Away Scores
Top Team – Cottage Pies 393 at the White Horse Inn.
Top Player – Adrian Perry (Ex-Servicemen) and Keith Harcombe (Shooters), 59 at the Wellington Football Club.
League tables
Fixtures
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday
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
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)
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday, November 19th
Here 4 the Beer v Ex-Servicemen at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Mowers v Outsiders at the Football Club
Scuppas v Odds and Ends at the Cottage Inn
Foresters v Home Guard IV at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
WRFC v King Pins at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
All Stars v United Services at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, November 20th
Holywell Lake v Shooters at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Relyon v Fireguard A at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Bell Green v Rebels at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Report Centre A v OBA at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Home Guard II v Hot Shots at the Football Club
Queens Legs v Club Rockers at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Reservists v Cottage Pies at the RG Institute
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