THE Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League is going ahead with its plan to begin playing matches early next month, and there will be committee meeting to finalise details on Friday (October 23).

Nineteen teams will be taking part with 13 sides having decided not to compete this winter although they will welcomed back for the 2021-22 winter.

“The league fully understands why some teams do not want to play and respects their views,” said league chairman Dave Bright.

The league will start on Wednesday, November 4, with two divisions but there will have to be flexibility about match nights because of the availability of alleys.

Sides will consist of only six players with the option of sanitising hands before skittling or wearing gloves. Sticker-ups will also have the same choice. Match nights will be Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The league was brought to an abrupt halt in mid-March with Relyon topping Division A and Scuppas leading Division B.

The singles competition for the Cyril Hicks Cup was suspended last winter but resumed earlier this season with Steve Trevelyan winning the title for the fifth time and equalling the record of Rob Higgs.

The Wellington Ladies League have no plans to start up again while the Blackdown Hills League has already declared the season null and void.