THE Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Payne KO Cup final has taken place at the upstairs alley at the Victoria Arms with two Chris Bullock Championship teams in opposition with Ex-Servicemen triumphing by 19 pins against WRFC, writes league chairman David Derrick.

On winning the toss WRFC decided to take first dig on what is a smooth, but subtle alley with gaps to best avoid at all times.

Hands of 72, 63 and 58 with Dave Huggett to the fore with spares of 17 and 14 in his first two hands and a first half personal total of 39, together with other solid contributions saw the rugby boys in at the break with a decent 193 pins on the board for the 'X-Men' to chase.

X-Men replied with 62, 54 and 64 to leave the triple chasing team 13 down at the halfway point with some work to do; by this time a right hand channel had started to see a number of good balls sailing through which was to come to pass in the second half as WRFC ascended to the alley once more.

A second serving of play realised hands of 50, 60 and 59 to give WRFC a total of 363 with Dave Huggett completing his evening's work by scoring a capital 63.

The X-Men hit three excellent second half hands of 68, 66 and 67 as they wiped out the deficit and then put their collective foot down as they searched for victory.

They pulled away to an eventual 19 pin win with league secretary Marc Bright leading the charge with 51; he was supported well by his colleagues.

The first part of a potential treble had been secured by Ex-Servicemen.

WESSL thanks Lola H and Julia R for sticking up all evening and to Carl Wood, landlord, Victoria Arms public House for hosting the final.