AFTER two seasons without skittles because of Covid, the Redditch Skittles League returned with most of the potential front runners scraping wins in the opening games.

Title favourites, Engineers, coasted into a 26-pin lead after three legs against C and G Show only for a poor fourth leg score to allow the latter back into the game.

And some indifferent bowling by Engineers in the fifth and final leg meant anchor man, Mark Ganderton, was left to make a tricky eight to secure a 318-316 win.

Ganderton finished on 38 pins whilst teammate Brandon Kelso scored 41 points (13 stack) with Paul Hollis (38) and Dave Orton (36) top scoring for C and G Show.

Newcomers Bernie’s Bolts gave Lodge Farmers, league runners-up two years ago, a scare in an exciting 296-all draw.

After four legs, both teams had won two legs each as Bernie’s Bolts held a 10-pin advantage.

However, Bernie’s Bolts only made 50 in their last leg to leave Lodge Farmers needing 61 to win.

Lodge Farmers anchor man Glyn Morley eventually required eight pins to secure the win but had to be content with just seven and tie the game.

For Lodge Farmers, Rachel Morris scored 38 (11 stack) as did Glyn Morley whilst Craig McSweeney (38) and Dan Goodman (34) top scored for Bernie’s Bolts.

Swingers came close to upsetting Jumbo Jets who will likely fancy their title chances this season.

Swingers held a 16-pin lead, after winning the first three legs, before Jumbo Jets finally woke up over the last two legs, to leave Swingers needing 63 for victory.

And the upset was on until the last two bowlers faltered to give Jumbo Jets a flattering 313-305 win for whom Dave Marriott made 37 (12 stack) and Dennis Compton 35 (10 stack) whilst Swingers best were Paul Clifton (37) and Martin Brennan and Jim Child (both 35).

The other newcomers to the league, The Borough, only briefly threatened Nomads, also strong candidates to win the league, by sharing the first two legs and were just eight pins adrift.

Nomads then pulled away decisively to win the remaining three legs for a 41-pin 316-275 win as James Marshall made 38 (11 stack) and Alan Spreckley also 38 for Nomads while The Borough’s top scorers were Sarah Edwards and Rhiannon Watson both with 31.