ROUND one of the Swan Studley Skittles League Summer Cup – played on a matchplay basis – provided few shocks as Nomads, Chris & Gerry Show, Engineers and Jumbo Jet Set progressed to the finals.
Five teams contested group one, from which the top two went to the final. Throughout the game, Nomads and C&G Show were always in front despite the best efforts of Lodge Farmers, 2016 cup winners Team BG and Alley Cats.
For Nomads, Alan Cummings made a first leg stack of 16 on his way to a 40-pin total and not far behind were team-mates Margaret Povey with 37, Annette Upright (36) and Mac Eaton (35).
C&G Show, meanwhile, had good scores of their own with 37 pins each from Angela Guest (13-stack) and Liz Hall and Richard Fisher chipping in with 33.
Although outsiders, C&G Show could well be the surprise package in the final.
For the eliminated teams, Lodge Farmers skipper Glyn Morley scored 37 and team-mate Lynne Long 34. Sam Billyard and Sue Sollis of Alley Cats made 31 each and Team BG’s Alex Beard and Mary Withers 34 and 32 pins respectively.
Initially, group two also pitched five teams against each other, but holidays and other late player commitments forced the withdrawal of two teams.
This left Engineers, Jumbos and Swingers to fight for the top two qualifying places.
Swingers were also hit by some players being unavailable but still competed although two players short and as a result rarely looked likely to upset two of the league’s top teams.
Swingers’ appearance is nevertheless to be applauded as it meant there could be no walkover into the final for Engineers and Jumbos.
Engineers led throughout with Pete Clewlow making 39 pins, Andy Clewlow 36 and recently crowned singles champion Mark Ganderton, George Bird and Brandon Kelso 34 pins each.
Best for Jumbos came from Mick Stanton with 38 (14-stack), Ben Jones 36, Dan Hill 35 and Dave Hollands 34 (16-stack).
For valiant Swingers, John Smith scored 33 and Christine Hallam 30.
Results: Group one – Nomads 32.5pts; C&G Show 22; Lodge Farmers 18; Alley Cats 15; Team BG 12.5.
Group two – Engineers 16; Jumbo Jet Set 13; Swingers 1.
