SCUPPAS have clinched second place behind champions Ex-Servicemen in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris Bullock Championship.
The Payne Challenge Cup winners had to win their last match - away to WRFC - and they did this with a 16-pin away victory over the rugby boys on the downstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Dave Harper hit 53 for the home side while John Barker knocked 57 for the away team. Scores: WRFC 360, Scuppas 376.
Ex-Servicemen beat Home Guard IV by 33 pins to finish the season with a 100 per cent record at the Cottage. Marc Bright was top scorer with 51 for the newly-crowned champions. Both sides now wait to see who they will face in the end of season play-offs, with X-Men going for the overall championship and Home Guard IV looking to avoid the wooden spoon. Ex-Servicemen 355, Home Guard IV 322.
Mowers finished the season with a fine 56-pin win over Odds & Ends at the Football Club, with Darren Winter hitting the best score of the match of 56. Odds & Ends’ skipper Nick Timewell scored 50. Mowers 367, Odds & Ends 311.
Foresters finished the campaign by hitting their highest home score of the season - of 413 - to see off Here 4 the Beer by 76 pins at the White Hart with Colin Shepherd leading the way for the home side with 58. Fin Jennings was the player of the match with a fantastic 65 for Here 4 the Beer. Foresters 413, Here 4 the Beer 337.
All Stars put in a strong performance to beat Nynehead Club by 26 pins at the Vic to end the season on a high. Owen Milton was the standout player with a great 57 for All Stars. Brian Adam knocked 49 for the club who have enjoyed their first season in the league even if it has been tough going at times. All Stars 384, Nynehead Club 358.
The fight for the Gerald Thorne Championship was left wide open after Cottage Pies suffered a four-pin home loss at the hands of Oaks, allowing Holywell Lake to move to within a single point of top spot. Paul Robinson hit 53 for the division leaders while Ian Crittenden scored 45 for Oaks. Cottage Pies 330, Oaks 334.
Holywell Lake kept up the pressure at the top with a ten-pin away win over Club Rockers at the Institute. Ken Norris top scored for the Rockers with 47 while Scott Newberry knocked a match-winning hand of 52 for the Lakers who play the Pies at the end of the month. Club Rockers 312, Holywell Lake 322.
Reservists’ title hopes suffered a blow when they went down by three pins away to Shooters at the Victoria Inn. Nathan Harcombe scored a good 53 for Shooters who went on to record a total of 382 - their third highest home score of the season. Neil Sparks did his best to win the game for Reservists, eventually hitting a remarkable 63. Shooters 382, Reservists 379.
Bell Green maintained their impressive form with a 27-pin win away against OBA on the upstairs alley of the Vic. Jason Vincent scored 57 for OBA while Tony Dunbar and Mark Wardell scored 55 for the Bee Gees. OBA 367, Bell Green 394.
Other scores: Hot Shots 360, Home Guard II 299; Report Centre A 366, Rebels 394; Fireguard A 350, Relyon 341.