FRESH from making a season’s highest score in demolishing Swan, Alcester Nomads were brought down to earth with a bang as they produced their worst tally of the campaign in defeat to Alley Cats.
The Cats gleefully took advantage with Tony O’Connor in fine form, making his team’s season’s best individual score of 48 (stacks of 16 and 15).
Nomads led throughout the first four legs but a poor last leg total left the Cats wanting only 59 pins for victory, which they comfortably achieved. For Nomads, best scorer was Eddie Upright with 40 pins.
Title-chasers Maudslay made one of their lowest scores so far and it would have won most games, but not against Team BG, who produced a season’s best score to seriously dent Maudslay’s championship hopes and open up the competition for the runners-up spot.
This game was tight for two legs when Maudslay held a two-pin advantage, only for that to disappear over the next two legs as Team BG built a 20-pin lead with some good bowling.
Team BG’s Alex Beard made 39 (14-stack) and Nicky Coleman 37 – her best ever score. Maudslay did take the last leg for an extra point, but it was not enough and their best scorers were Tom Roberts and Dick Walters (12-stack) with 38 each.
Swan recovered from their big loss to Nomads by edging the game against Swingers. After a close game for three legs, Swan opened a 16-pin lead after leg four.
Finally needing only 51 pins to win, a return of only 17 pins from the first four bowlers put pressure on the remaining six players. They kept Swan in the game and the win was secured with the game’s last ball.
For the winners, Charlie Withers and Scott Reynolds made 36 each, while for Swingers consolation was Paul Clifton scoring his team’s highest individual season’s total with 40 (14-stack).
It was a season’s double for Jumbo Jet Set over Well Developed, but only because Jumbos made and took their three stack chances, otherwise the result could easily have seen a season’s first win for Well Developed.
They won the first and last legs, but Jumbo’s stacks in the middle three legs were enough get them over the line. Liz Hind for Well Developed made 34 and best for Jumbos was Len Quartly 36 (12-stack).
On an unbeaten ten-game run are Engineers, now firm favourites for the championship. They overcame a Lodge Farmers side rueing not making more of their stack chances, while Engineers capitalised on their own.
Engineers had a seven-pin lead after leg one – a lead reduced to only three pins after leg four – before leaving their opponents 71 pins to win.
Lodge Farmers might have made it but for a missed stack when the third ball missed all skittles. For Engineers, Craig Ellis scored 42 (stacks of 15 and 13) and Lodge Farmers had Glyn Morley making 39.
Results: Alcester Nomads 3.5 (302) Alley Cats 7.5 (306); Maudslay 3 (318) Team BG 8 (331); Swingers 2.5 (292) Swan 7.5 (296); Well Developed 3 (297) Jumbo Jet Set 8 (318); Engineers 7.5 (331) Lodge Farmers 3.5 (323); Alcester Nomads 10 (344) Swan 1 (314).
