JOLLY Blues have made a winning, if belated, start to the defence of their title in the Wellington Ladies Skittles League.

After missing out on the opening two weeks of action, the champions chalked up a convincing 39-pin home win over Split Pins with Cathy Sharland top scorer with 49.

Top skittler of the night was Heather Cook who knocked 61 for All Blacks’ in their 29-pin away success against Wanderers. Sharon Millett was also in good form for Wanderers, knocking 56.

Closest match involved Split Happens who won by two pins away to LOA Spare with Emily Milton hitting a match-winning 57.

Land Girls won by ten pins away to Water Babies with Carol Gamlin scoring 52.

Results: Jolly Blues 356 (Cathy Sharland 49), Split Pins 317 (Bev Marke 46); Wanderers 355 (Sharon Millett 56), All Blacks 384 (Heather Cook 61); LOA Spare 302 (Valerie Vickery 46), Split Happens 304 (Emily Milton 57); Water Babies 322 (Liz Sanders 48), Land Girls 332 (Carol Gamlin 52); Wobbly Pins 284 (Leanda Thorne 42), 8 QTs 256 (Angie Cornall 40). Pin & Tonics bye.

Fixtures for Monday, September 28: Pin & Tonics v Wanderers, Split Happens v Jolly Blues, All Blacks v Water Babies, 8 QTs v LOA Spare, Land Girls v Wobbly Pins. Bye Split Pins.

BELL Green, Cottage Pies and Rebels are all on five points from two games going into matches in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship on Friday, September 25.

Fixtures: Hot Shots v Club Rockers (at Conservative Club, downstairs); OBA v Fireguard A (Victoria Inn, upstairs); Reservists v Bell Green (RG Institute), Cottage Pies v Shooters (Conservative Club, upstairs); Holywell Lake v Relyon (Victoria Arms, downstairs); Report Centre A v Rebels (White Horse Inn, Bradford); Home Guard II v Oaks (Wellington Football Club).