THE 2026–2027 season in the Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League has begun with the first round of the Harry Dowson Pairs on the upstairs alley at the Conservative Club.

Mike Young/Lewis May (Cottage Pies) 83, Alan Sydenham/Gus Cleland (Shooters) 94: This was a close match with spare chances at a premium, but the Shooters pair just had enough in reserve to get themselves over the line.

Lee Ellis/Paul Robinson (Cottage Pies) 89, Jordan Bryant/ Albert Hughes (King Pins) 96: The King Pins pairing of Jordan Bryant and Albert Hughes inflicted a second defeat for the Cottage Pies when the narrowly squeezed past Lee Ellis and Paul Robinson.

Paul Desborough/Andy Chappell (All Stars) 106, Sam Vile/Richard Maslan (Cottage Pies) 104: A high scoring match saw a third pair from the Cottage Pies eliminated. Even though Sam Vile and Richard Maslan hit the second highest score of the evening of 104 pins, they lost out to Paul Desborough and Andy Chappell who knocked106.

Glen Escott/Jacob Sparks (Reservists) 89, Dan Roger/Owen Milton (All Stars) 93: Another close game saw All Stars pair Dan Roger and Owen Milton edge out Reservists twosome Glen Escott and Jacob Sparks by just 4 pins.

Liam Desborough/Callum Richardson (All Stars) 96, Darren Sparks/Kevin Sedgebeer (Reservists) 106; Former winners Darren Sparks and Kevin Sedgebeer of Reservists hit a high score to prevent All Stars adding a third pair to the quarter finals and avenging their teammates’ defeat in the previous match.

Quarter final draw (at Cottage Inn, Friday, July 31): 8.00 pm Jordan Bryant/Albert Hughes v Paul Desborough/Andy Chappell; 8.30 pm Jamie Milton/Tyler Cox v Lee Baker/Ricky Baker; 9.00 pm Alan Sydenham/Angus Cleland v Darren Sparks/Kevin Sedgebeer; 9.30 pm Adrian Maidment/Antony Maidment v Dan Roger/Owen Milton.