Ex-Servicemen and Bell Green go into the Christmas break as clear leaders of the two divisions in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League.
This week’s festive featured team are Cottage Pies. Front, from left, Lee Ellis, Harrison Howell (sticker-up), Shaun Vile. Rear, Sam Vile, Dan Thorne, Ashley Pearce, James May (captain), Rich Maslan, Paul Robinson.
Chris Bullock Championship
Ex-Servicemen 394, King Pins 360
Leaders Ex-Servicemen continued their perfect season with a composed 34-pin win over King Pins at the Cottage Inn, making it 12 wins from 12. Geoff Hamlyn led the way for the X-Men with a polished 58 as the champions once again showed their depth and consistency. King Pins put up a good fight and saw Dave Houston hit a respectable 52, but they were unable to apply sustained pressure on a side which rarely gives anything away. The victory extends Ex-Servicemen’s commanding lead at the top, while King Pins remain firmly in the mix just below the leading pack.
Mowers 384, Scuppas 366
Mowers strengthened their grip on second place with a solid 18-pin home victory over Scuppas, keeping their title challenge firmly on track. On a night where consistency proved key, Darren Winter again led the way for Mowers with an excellent 57, helping the home side build a strong platform. Scuppas were far from outplayed and stayed in touch throughout, with Craig Newstead’s classy 56 the standout contribution for the visitors. However, Mowers were able to find just enough extra pins across the board to see the game out and pick up another valuable two points as the pressure continues to mount on those below them.
Outsiders 346, WRFC 360
WRFC picked up a welcome away win as they edged past Outsiders by 14 pins at the Conservative Club. The hosts were competitive throughout and saw Alvin Bellamy top score with a tidy 52, but they were unable to quite match the Rugby Club’s scoring power on the night. WRFC shared the scoring load well, with both Paul Higgs and Dave Huggett hitting 50 to guide the visitors to a decent total. The result lifts WRFC further away from the foot of the table, while Outsiders will feel they were close enough to have taken more from the game.
United Services 424, Home Guard IV 376
United Services produced one of the performances of the season as they smashed past the 400 mark to defeat Home Guard IV by 48 pins at the White Horse. Phil John was in sensational form for the hosts, hitting a remarkable 78 in a display which set the tone for the night and proved too much for the visitors to handle. Home Guard IV battled gamely and saw Pete Spencer hit a solid 54, but they were always chasing a daunting total. The emphatic win keeps United Services firmly in the hunt near the top of the table and underlines their threat as the season progresses.
Odds and Ends 406, Here 4 the Beer 384
Odds and Ends picked up a morale-boosting win in a high-scoring encounter, seeing off Here 4 the Beer by 22 pins at the Victoria Arms. Pete Wratten was the star of the show for the hosts with a superb 64, helping Odds and Ends post an impressive 406. Here 4 the Beer responded well and were very much in the contest thanks to Adam Morgan’s strong 56, but they ultimately fell just short despite a brave chase. The result gives Odds and Ends another valuable boost as they look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
Gerald Thorne Championship
Fireguard A 337, Bell Green 384
Leaders Bell Green showed their class with a comfortable 47-pin victory away to Fireguard A. Dan Taylor hit a solid 56 for the hosts, matched by Jason Powell’s 56 in the Bell Green reply. The Bee Gees’ depth and consistency told as the game wore on, allowing them to maintain their healthy cushion at the top of the table.
Shooters 344, Queens Legs 378
Queens Legs continued their strong run with a convincing 34-pin victory away to Shooters, picking up valuable points in the process. Shooters skipper Keith Harcombe led by example with a solid 54, but the home side were left short of a competitive total. Queens Legs were steady throughout and saw Alfie Hill hit 52 to guide them to a deserved win, keeping them firmly in the hunt near the top of the table.
Cottage Pies 346, Relyon 361
Relyon kept up the pressure on the league leaders with an impressive away win at the Cottage Inn. Lee Ellis hit a fine 58 for Cottage Pies, but Relyon had the extra firepower on the night, led by Ron Higgs’ excellent 62. The Bedders’ consistency proved decisive as they collected another important three points to strengthen their title credentials.
Report Centre A 372, Holywell Lake 406
Holywell Lake underlined their attacking intent with a strong away performance at the White Horse, passing the 400 mark once again. D. Bennett’s 55 was a highlight for Report Centre A, who put up a spirited fight, but Dave Howell’s superb 66 led the way for the Lakers as they powered to a 34-pin win and stayed firmly in the championship picture.
Oaks 365, Reservists 378
Reservists picked up a valuable away win against Oaks in a competitive contest. Iain Andrews scored 51 for the home side, but Reservists edged ahead thanks to a steady team effort, with Phil Powell’s 53 proving crucial. The 13-pin margin keeps Reservists well placed in mid-table as they look to close the gap on the sides above them.
Hot Shots 346, Rebels 324
Hot Shots claimed an important home victory over Rebels, pulling clear by 22 pins. Edd Chivers top scored for the hosts with a tidy 50, setting a platform which Rebels struggled to reel in despite John Sellick’s 49. The win gives Hot Shots a welcome boost as they look to climb away from the lower reaches of the table.
OBA 365, Home Guard II 375
Home Guard II continued their climb up the standings with a hard-fought ten-pin win away to OBA. Andy Kemp’s 57 kept OBA in contention throughout, but Macca Campbell’s strong 54 anchored a composed Home Guard II performance. A solid away showing and another useful set of points as they edge closer to the top half of the table.
Top Away Scores
Team: Holywell Lake, 406 at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Individual: Dave Howell, 66 for Holywell Lake at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
League tables
Fixtures
Chris Bullock Championship – Tuesday, December 23rd
Nynehead Club v Foresters at Nynehead Club (back match)
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, January 2nd
Rebels v OBA at the Cottage Inn
Reservists v Report Centre A at the RG Institute
Holywell Lake v Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Home Guard II v Shooters at the Football Club
Queens Legs v Club Rockers at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Relyon v Hot Shots at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Bell Green v Cottage Pies at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
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