THE Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League has been shocked by the very sad news on Saturday of the passing of Dave Perry, a well-known and much-respected figure within both our league and the wider community, writes Marc Bright.

Dave was renowned as one of the league’s great stickers-up and, fittingly, had been sticking up at the Harry Dowson Pairs Cup quarter-finals on Friday evening. He was also a player for Club Rockers at the Institute and had helped out numerous teams over the years whenever a sticker up was required.

Dave was simply “Mr Reliable”. Whether it was a cup game, a final, or a busy league night, you could always count on him to be there. He was one of the last of the old-school stickers-up. Quick, consistent, dependable, and always certain of what had been knocked down whenever there was any doubt.

In honour of Dave, the league will be creating the Dave Perry Trophy, an award that will be presented each season to the league’s best sticker-up, as voted for by the teams. It is our intention that Dave’s name and memory will continue to live on within the league to which he gave so much over so many years.

Dave was a genuinely kind man who will be remembered fondly by everyone connected to our league. He will be deeply missed.

Our thoughts and condolences are with Linda, and with all of Dave’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Meanwhile, the league’s Harry Dowson Pairs Cup quarter-finals were held on the Rockwell Green Institute alley - and delivered some stand-out skittling as the finals night line-up was confirmed.

Shane Powell and Ryan Marke continued their impressive run with a commanding 102–84 victory over fellow King Pins, Les Marke and Jordan Bryant. Having already shown some strong form in previous rounds, Powell and Marke once again performed well throughout the game.

Defending champions Darren Sparks and Kevin Sedgebeer of Reservists also booked their return to finals night with another century score, defeating the dangerous pairing of John Barker and Craig Newstead 100–83. The Scuppas duo had been among the standout teams earlier in the competition, but Sparks and Sedgebeer demonstrated exactly why they are the current holders.

The closest contest of the evening came between Hot Shots pair, Alex Govier and Edd Chivers, and Shooters pairing of Adrian and Anthony Maidment. Govier and Chivers edged through 86–83 in a tense and low-scoring battle where every pin proved crucial. Neither side ever managed to fully pull away, but Govier and Chivers held their nerve in the closing stages to claim the narrowest victory of the night.

The final semi-final place was decided by walkover, with Liam Desborough and Andy Chappell of All Stars progressing after Cottage Pies' Paul Summers and Sam Vile were unable to compete. While they advance without throwing a ball, Desborough and Chappell have already shown their quality in the previous round to suggest they will be serious contenders when finals night arrives.

The semi-final draw at the Victoria Arms (downstairs) has set up two intriguing contests on Friday, May 22, Shane Powell and Ryan Marke take on Liam Desborough and Andy Chappell in the opening semi-final at 8.30pm, while Darren Sparks and Kevin Sedgebeer face Alex Govier and Edd Chivers in the second match of the evening at 9pm, with the final scheduled for 9.30PM.