RENEGADES, who represent Redditch in the Gasket Guy British Skittles Championships, started brilliantly but ultimately slumped to a heavy loss against Numpty Dumpties from Worcester in their first game in the four-team regional group.
Bowling first, Renegades made a great 73 pins in their first leg with big contributions from Mac Eaton (16-stack) and Mark Ganderton and Alan Cummings (both with 13 stacks).
Numpty Dumpties’ leg one response was only 51 pins but they quickly found their form with a second leg total of 69 against which Renegades could only muster 49 pins.
It meant Renegades then led by a mere two pins but they got back on track by extending the lead to eight pins after leg three thanks to captain Andy Clewlow’s 14-stack.
However, that was as good as it got for Renegades as their opponents piled on the pressure over the last three legs.
After leg four Renegades’ lead was back to only two pins again and after leg five Numpty Dumpties took the lead for the first time after scoring 71 for a 15-pin advantage despite an 11-stack from Renegades’ Geoff Lout.
Numpty Dumpties then made 58 pins in their final leg to leave Renegades needing 74 for victory which never looked remotely possible. Renegades managed a poor 43 pin total to leave Numpty Dumpties 362-332 victors.
Best scorers for Renegades were Eaton and Clewlow, both with 49 pins, and Cummings with 45.
Renegades’ next game is away to Fat Anchors of Worcester and a win is a must for Renegades if they are to have a chance of progressing. Hopes are high though as Fat Anchors lost heavily to Numpty Dumpties.
