Ex-Servicemen will be looking to complete a remarkable unbeaten season in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League on Thursday night.
They take on King Pins, who are this week’s featured team, at the Football Club.
Kings Pins are pictured, front from left, Les Marke (captain), Alan Bryant, Jordan Bryant, Josh Leebody, John Norman, Steve Powell, Shane Powell and Paul Winter. Rear, Albert Hughes and Dave Houston. Not in photo: Wayne Darch, Ryan Marke and Dave Bright.
Chris Bullock Championship
Ex-Servicemen 389, Foresters 361
Ex-Servicemen continued their incredible campaign with another convincing win, defeating Foresters by 28 pins at the Cottage to make it 23 wins from 23 matches in the league this season. Ricky Baker’s excellent 60 led the scoring for the X-Men who are yet to be beaten at home since moving to the Cottage last season. Simon Wall’s solid 56 was the standout in the Foresters chase, but they were unable to keep pace with the champions, who now head into the final game of the season still chasing a remarkable 100% record. All eyes now turn to the final fixture of the season.
Mowers 370, WRFC 373
Rugby Club produced a strong away performance to defeat Mowers by three pins in a tight game at the Football Club. Andy Pearce’s steady 54 helped guide the visitors to a narrow win. Nigel Dobson’s 54 kept Mowers firmly in contention throughout, but the home side were edged out in the closing stages as the rugby boys held their nerve to claim the points.
United Services 377, Scuppas 375
United Services edged a dramatic two-pin victory over Scuppas in a closely fought match at the White Horse. Andy Gamlin’s well-deserved 58 proved crucial as the hosts managed to hit just enough pins to get over the line. John Pike impressed with a superb 60 for Scuppas, but despite his efforts the visitors were left just short.
Outsiders 359, King Pins 359
Another game which went right down to the wire saw Outsiders and King Pins share the spoils in a draw at the Conservative Club. Martin Sharland’s vital 59 led the way for Outsiders, while Jordan Bryant’s solid 57 ensured King Pins stayed right in the contest. Neither side could find the extra edge needed to pull clear, with both teams ultimately settling for a share of the points. King Pins will now be hoping to end the season with the scalp of the champions as they take on the X-Men.
Nynehead Club 392, All Stars 392
There was nothing to separate Nynehead Club and All Stars in another thrilling draw, this time at Nynehead, with both sides playing well in a high-scoring clash. Lewis Sparks led the way for the hosts with a fine 59, helping them to a strong total. All Stars matched them all the way, with Paul and Liam Desborough both hitting 56 in a superb team effort. In the end, honours were even in what was one of the most entertaining matches of the week.
Odds and Ends 407, Home Guard IV 365
Odds and Ends produced a superb display to defeat Home Guard IV by 42 pins in a bottom of the table clash. Rob Stanyard’s excellent 60 was the highlight as the hosts powered their way past the 400 marks. Greg Harrison replied with a solid 56 for Home Guard IV, but the visitors could not match the scoring strength of Odds and Ends. The result sees Odds and Ends move to just within three points on Home Guard IV in the battle to avoid the bottom. If Odds and Ends win their last game – away to Here 4 the Beer – and HGIV lose their home game against United Services, the teams will be even on points, leading to a countback on away scores to determine the bottom side. So far, HGIV have hit 4,177 away pins, with Odds and Ends hitting 3,822 (with one away game to play).
Gerald Thorne Championship
Bell Green 381, Oaks 356
League leaders Bell Green maintained their advantage at the top with a solid 25-pin victory over Oaks on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Will Essex’s superb 60 anchored the home side’s performance as they continued their push for the championship. Steven Burge matched that 60 for Oaks in a fine individual display, but the visitors couldn’t match the consistency and high scoring of the league leaders.
Relyon 382, Report Centre A 317
Relyon kept the pressure firmly on at the summit with a big 65-pin victory over Report Centre A at the Conservative Club. Rob Higgs’ 62 was the standout score of the match as the hosts dominated the match. David Bennett’s solid 55 was a bright spot in the Report Centre A chase, but they were unable to mount a challenge against a strong Relyon side. An important win for the Bedders as they kept within striking distance of Bell Green with just four games to go.
Home Guard II 309, Cottage Pies 321
Cottage Pies secured a 12-pin away win over Home Guard II in a low-scoring clash at the Football Club, keeping their slim title hopes alive in the process. Rich Maslen’s steady 48 led the scoring for the visitors as they ground out the win. Macca Campbell’s great 53 was the highlight for the hosts, but Home Guard II struggled to find enough support across the board to post a more challenging score.
Holywell Lake 410, Reservists 363
Holywell Lake produced one of the standout performances of the round, smashing past the 400 mark to defeat Reservists by 47 pins at the Victoria Arms. Dave Howell’s excellent 61 led the charge as the hosts powered to a commanding total. Glen Escott’s 56 was the best reply for Reservists, but they were unable to keep pace with Holywell Lake’s strong scoring across the board, as the Lakers kept their fading title dream alive for another week.
Queens Legs 353, Hot Shots 359
Hot Shots claimed an impressive six-pin away win over Queens Legs in a close game in the upstairs/downstairs derby at the Conservative Club. Edd Chivers’ 54 proved crucial as Hot Shots held their nerve in the closing hands of the game. Stuart Sutton impressed with a good 56 for Queens Legs, but despite his efforts the hosts were unable to quite match Hot Shots on the night. A good game overall.
Club Rockers 339, OBA 342
OBA edged a narrow three-pin victory over Club Rockers in a closely fought contest at the Institute. Rob Billet led the way with 55 for the visitors, helping them sneak over the line to take the points on offer. Rockers skipper Eddy Houltem hit a solid 52 which kept Club Rockers in contention throughout, but the hosts were left just short in another match decided by the finest of margins.
Rebels 373, Fireguard A 302
Rebels produced a dominant display to defeat Fireguard A by a mammoth 71 pins at the Cottage. Paul Taylor’s 54 helped guide the hosts to a strong total as they controlled the match. Ben Sellick’s 43 was the best return for seven-man Fireguard A on a difficult night, but they gave it their all while playing with a man down.
Highest away scores
Top team – All Stars 392 at the Nynehead Club.
Top player – John Pike and Steven Burge, 60 for Scuppas and Oaks at the White Horse Inn (Bradford) and Victoria Arms (Upstairs) respectively.
League tables
Fixtures
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday
Scuppas v Mowers at the Cottage Inn
WRFC v Outsiders at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Foresters v Nynehead Club at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Home Guard IV v United Services at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Here 4 the Beer v Odds and Ends at the RG Institute
King Pins v Ex-Servicemen at the Football Club
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday
Fireguard A v Relyon at the Football Club
Report Centre A v Bell Green at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Oaks v Holywell Lake at the Blue Ball
OBA v Queens Legs at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Shooters v Club Rockers at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Cottage Pies v Rebels at the Cottage Inn
Hot Shots v Home Guard II at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, 10th April
Queens Legs v Shooters at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Relyon v Cottage Pies at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Holywell Lake v Report Centre A at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Bell Green v Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Reservists v Oaks at the RG Institute
Rebels v Hot Shots at the Cottage Inn
Home Guard II v OBA at the Football Club
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