HOLYWELL Lake have pulled off a treble in the Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League.

Having won the Ken Bright Cup and Gerald Thorne Championship they added more silverware to their trophy cabinet when they beat Ex-Servicemen, winners of the Chris Bullock Championship, in the big play-off final this past Friday evening on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Ex-Servicemen scored 347 while the Lakers hit 374.

League chairman David Derrick conducted the coin toss, which went the way of Holywell Lake skipper Steve Dowson. He elected to put the Thursday night side on first, and shortly after the X-Men captain, Adrian Perry, was leading his side out to the alley.

The first half was a bit of a slog for both sides, with chances hard to come by. Nevertheless, it was Holywell Lake who enjoyed a slender lead at half time, seeing off the X-Men’s scores of 53 67 and 59 with their replies of 58 62 and 60. With just one pin in it, the game was still very much up for grabs.

The second half was a different story as the X-Men saw four first balls sail through the pins, with double that number seeing pins guts out, and chances hard to come by. The X-Men tried to force the game, but it was slipping away from them. However both Geoff Hamlyn and Ricky Baker did what they could to rally their side with two solid 50s.

Steve Dowson, who certainly enjoys this alley with scores of 65 and 61 in the two league games played there, was the star man for his side again with an excellent 57. The Lakers went up the gears and saw spares and vital pins fall and they were out of sight by the end of the game with 27 pins being the difference. The win sees Holywell Lake lift their second championship in three seasons, and they add the silver pin to their Ken Bright Cup triumph and their division success for a remarkable treble.

As for Ex-Servicemen, they became only the second Thursday team to play in this fixture for over 20 years as the division has normally seen Mowers romp to victory year after year. They finish the campaign with their division title and Lee Baker’s individual award for his 27 hand. They will be hoping to go one better next season.

It was a great final played between two sides who really enjoyed the occasion. Players from both sides were soon enjoying a few well-earned pints after the game.

Congratulations to Holywell Lake for the win on the night, and congratulations to both sides on fantastic seasons.

A big thank you goes to the Victoria Arms for hosting the game, to Dave Perry for sticking up, and to both sets of players for a great evening.

There is one match still to be played and this is the Wooden Spoon play-off which will be between Home Guard IV and Report Centre A and will be staged at the Cottage Inn on Friday, June 13. Home Guard IV finished bottom of the Chris Bullock Championship while Report Centre A were bottom of the Gerald Thorne Championship.

The league now looks on to their end of season presentation night which will be held on Friday, June 27, at Wellington Football Club.