DEFENDING Redditch Skittles League champions, Engineers, made a winning start to the new season against C and G Show.
Engineers took the first two legs to open up a three-pin lead against their opponents who were playing a man short.
And Engineers pulled away over the remaining three legs to take maximum points from the fixture as captain Andy Clewlow (42, 13 stack) top scored while Josh Kelso and Maurice Wroe (both 41, the latter 14 stack) impressed.
For C and G Show, Aaron Evans (43, 12 and 11 stacks) top scored supported by Dave Orton (34) and Keith Edwards, Bryan Smith and Dave Charlesworth (all 32).
Last season’s runners-up, Lodge Farmers, suffered defeat against Bernie’s Bolts as the latter side won each of the first three legs to take a commanding 18-pin lead having scored 81 pins in leg three thanks to stacks of 13 and 12 respectively from Jim Williamson and Mark West.
Farmers reduced the deficit by winning the final two legs as Rachel Morris (37), Glyn Morley, Paul Cotton and debutant Jamie McGill (all 36) picked up a couple of consolation points.
For the winners, Williamson (44), Dan Goodman (38) and West (36) were all on top form.
Lastly, Nomads came from behind to beat The Borough as the latter side took a 12-pin lead after the first leg before the former reduced the deficit to nine pins at the end of leg two.
The Borough stretched their lead to 13 pins in leg three only for Nomads to cut the deficit to a single pin at the end of leg four before winning the match in the final leg after The Borough faltered at the last.
Nomads captain Alan Cummings (39, 11 stack) led by example while Jim Child (36, 13 stack) and James Marshal (35, 15 stack) all impressed.
For The Borough, Steve Court (36), George Few (35) and Andrew Taylor (34) top scored.
Results
Engineers 340 pins – 10 players and 324 – 9 players (10pts) v C&G Show 284 (1pt)
Lodge Farmers 324 (3pts) v Bernie’s Bolts 337 (8pts)
The Borough 300 (3pts) v Nomads 318 (8pts)
