REIGNING champions Jolly Blues have made a winning start to the defence of their title in the Wellington Ladies Skittles League.

They kicked off the new season on Monday with a 29-pin victory on their own alley against Muppets while KO Cup holders Split Pins beat Land Girls, runners-up in both the league and cup last winter, by 31 pins.

Former champions All Blacks won by nine pins away against LOA with Jo Luckhurst being the top scorer in the league on the night with 53.

Wanderers were involved in a close match before they pulled through by eight pins on their own alley against Geronimo whose Trish Lettley top scored in the match with 50.

Opening night's results: Jolly Blues 350 (Katie Jordan 48), Muppets 321 (Sharon Shearar 50); Split Pins 345 (Jane Pearce 52), Land Girls 314 (Kirsty Popplestone 48); Wanderers 326 (J Lang 49), Geronimo 318 (Trish Lettley 50); LOA Spare 316 (Karen Anderson 46), All Blacks 325 (Jo Luckhurst 53). Water Babies v Pin & Tonics (postponed). Wobbly Pins received a bye. Highest home score: Jane Pearce 52, highest away score: Jo Luckhurst 53.

Meanwhile, it is with great sadness that the Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League “share the news of the passing of Club Rockers’ player Dale Williams. Dale was a much liked and respected member of the team. Only last week he represented Club Rockers in their Payne Challenge Cup victory over Foresters, making his loss all the more difficult to comprehend.

“Dale’s unexpected passing is a poignant reminder of how precious our time together is. On behalf of the league, our deepest sympathies go to Dale’s family, friends and teammates at this incredibly sad time. He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.”