ALTHOUGH losing against Swan, there were notable highlights for Lodge Farmers in the latest round of fixtures in the Swan Studley Skittles League.
Not only did they register their season’s highest leg score of 82, but they finally had a player scoring 40 or more which was achieved by two players – Tim Jones with 44 and Alan Rumble 40 (both with 14-stacks). Team-mates Alex Cull and Chris Prichard chipped in with 35 each.
Swan were 23 pins ahead after three legs, only to see that lead dwindle to two pins following Farmers’ big leg score, but they held their nerve to take the game as Mel Bayliss – in his first game for some years – made 41 (13-stack) and Andy Reynolds and Helen Racki 35 apiece.
It is five wins from six games now for Well Developed as they comfortably saw off a Mixtures team making their season’s lowest pin total.
Well Developed were always in control and were disappointed not to take maximum points for the third time this season as they continued to close in on the teams above them in the table.
For the winners, captain David Searle and Jim Child made 34 each and Ron Skidmore and Dave Bevan 33 each. Mixtures’ best came from Andy Clayton 34, Lin McDonald 33 and Gwyn McDonald 32.
Team BG’s second successive win was not without a scare as opponents Swingers reduced a deficit of 18 pins to just three after the third leg, but Swingers could not keep up the pressure despite good scores of 40 (15-stack) from captain Brenda Morris and 35 and 33 respectively from Mike Pilkington and Larry Hanks.
Team BG bowled well over the last two legs to win and had Ray Cartwright making 37 and Maggie Reynolds and Janet Mold 33 each.
Alcester Nomads completed another win in the championship race, but may rue dropping valuable points against Jumbo Jet Set.
Nomads took the first two legs to open a 16-pin lead, only for Jumbos to recover to take the next two legs and share the last leg in what was the closest game of the week.
For Nomads, Alan Cummings scored 40, Eddie Upright 38 and Bob Browning 37. For Jumbos, Rich Johnston made 38 (11-stack), Ray Jones 35 and Dan Hill 34.
Engineers looked home and dry when leading by 14 pins after winning the first three legs against C&G Show but Engineers then had a scare when the lead was reduced to a single pin going into the last leg.
However, last season’s runners-up were not to be denied as they put in a strong last leg to see off their opponents’ late rally.
Best for Engineers came from Dennis Compton 38, Phil Jones 36 and Dave Green 33. C&G Show had Angela Guest with 42 (13-stack), Arthur Sears 36 and Dave Williams 34.
Results: Lodge Farmers 2 points (316 pins) Swan 9 (332); Mixtures 2 (271) Well Developed 9 (302); Team BG 9 (304) Swingers 2 (293); Jumbo Jet Set 3.5 (315) Alcester Nomads 7.5 (321); Engineers 9 (314) Chris & Gerry Show 2 (299).
,P,W,L,PTS
Alcester Nomads,18,15,3,139
Maudslay,16,12,4,122.5
Engineers,16,12,4,111
Jumbo Jet Set,17,10,7,105
Chris & Gerry Show,17,9,8,100.5
Team BG,18,9,9,95
Swan,15,9,6,88.5
Lodge Farmers,17,6,11,79.5
Alley Cats,17,7,10,78.5
Well Developed,16,6,10,78.5
Mixtures,16,3,13,58
Swingers,16,2,14,41