A CRACKING game was played between Well Developed & Lodge Farmers in the latest round of Swan Studley Skittles League fixtures.
Both equalled their season’s highest team totals and after each leg the teams were never separated by more than a single pin.
Left 64 to win, Lodge Farmers looked down and out until Tim Jones made a 12-stack to leave anchorman and captain Glyn Morley wanting all nine pins, only to narrowly miss out with a seven to give Well Developed a one-pin victory.
For Lodge Farmers, Tim Jones finished with 42 pins, Roger Powell 38 and Laurence 35, while best for Well Developed were Dave Bevan 42 (13-stack), Ron Skidmore 39 (12-stack) and Janina Brennan and Martin Brennan with 35 each.
With the season close to finishing, Maudslay kept in touch at the top of the table by beating Chris & Gerry Show comfortably enough but they let slip two valuable leg points which could yet determine who takes the title.
Maudslay’s Dick Walters made 43 (14-stack), Tim Greenaway 42 (14-stack) and Paul Matthews 40 (12-stack). C&G Show’s top scorers were John Hall and John Guest – both with a 12-stack in a total of 38 pins each – while Dave Charlesworth chipped in with 36.
Engineers have not yet given up on a second placed finish and won their fifth consecutive game when comprehensively taking maximum points against Jumbo Jet Set.
Despite Jumbos producing good scores in their first two legs, they were undone immediately by three stacks from Engineers, for whom Brandon Kelso made 41 (17-stack), Pete Clewlow 38 (11-stack) and 36 each from Luke Saunders (14-stack) and Dennis Compton.
Only Mick Stanton with 35 (12-stack), Ben Jones 36 and Ray Jones 33 offered much resistance for Jumbos.
Alley Cats surprised Swan by taking the first four legs easily before Swan grabbed a consolation last leg point to remain in a three-way mid-table battle.
In a week of stacks, Anne O’Connor made another – 13 – in a total of 39, Tony O’Connor 37 and Pete Sollis 36 for Alley Cats.
Swan had good scores from Sally Racki with 35 and 33 each from Charlie Withers and Bob Haycock.
The basement game between Mixtures and Swingers saw the former condemn their opponents to an 11th straight loss and almost certainly the wooden spoon when the season ends.
Mixtures were always in charge and their win ended a run of six losses. No details of Mixtures’ best scorers are available but Swingers’ best were Paul Clifton 34 (10-stack), Brenda Leake with 34 and Mike Pilkington 33.
Results: Well Developed 8 points (323 pins) Lodge Farmers 3 (322); Maudslay 8 (346) Chris & Gerry Show 3 (318); Engineers 10 (345) Jumbo Jet Set 1 (298); Alley Cats 9 (317) Swan 2 (286); Swingers 2 (283) Mixtures 9 (306).
