Home

Martock & District Skittles League

Hello everyone.

Round 10 and this was ‘Showdown’ week. The first of those matches was the Division 1 top of the table clash at South Petherton Club as 2^nd placed Monkey Spankers hosted top of the table Duke of York and with 3 points separating them this was a key match in the title hunt. The other ‘showdown’ match was the derby match at Bakers Arms as Bakers Rogues hosted Bakers Big Arms and with the latter having a better season of the two teams there would certainly be bragging rights here.

We shouldn’t forget the rest of the matches though and there was a potential quality match to be had at Bell Ash as Nobbys Nuts hosted Seahawks and with the latter in excellent form and Nobbys always tough at home this had classic written all over it. The defending champions Stoke WMC got back to winning ways last week against Nelsons Nomads and they were favourites to continue winning form as they hosted an out of sorts Pornstars who need a boost from somewhere to get winning form, could they shock the champs?

There were bottom half matches as well and one of them was at Rusty Axe and like their other team Pornstars needed a morale boosting win to get some decent form before the Christmas break. They hosted VIPS who are slowly but surely climbing the table with decent form in recent times.

The other bottom half match was at Somerton Club as bottom team S Club 8 are finding life difficult in the top division but there was a chance of a win here as they hosted Nelsons Nomads who are very unpredictable and can win or lose from the most unlikely situations.

In Division 2 the top of the table has flip flopped due to Lamb & Larks loss to Dolphins so the leaders who are now Swan Shanks had a tricky match this week as they were at Elis to face much improved hosts Ham Boys who are having a great first half of the season and would hope to shock the leaders here. Lamb & Larks looked to bounce back from last weeks defeat as they were away at Rose & Crown at East Lambrook to face bottom team Thorns & Roses who are getting cast adrift from the teams directly above them. Dolphins are hunting down the top 2 especially after that great win against Larks last week and they looked to continue good form with a home game against bottom half team Mandys Bell Boys who are continually struggling for wins which made this challenge a difficult one for them. Split Pins have been a team to watch this season as they are in great form and they looked to continue that with an away match at Rose & Crown Bower Hinton against hosts Rosies Rebels who are in mixed form but looked to get a decent win here. There was a mid-table clash at Lord Nelson as the hosts entertained visitors Mucky Ducks with both in decent form and in a lower table clash at Lamb & Lark hosts Hotspots faced Stoke Buoys.

Who would get top marks in Round 10! Lets find out!!

Division 1

The stage was set for the first ‘showdown’ of the season and we had not one but two of them this week! The first was at South Petherton Club as hosts and 2^nd placed Monkey Spankers have hit top gear and would need to be in that same gear as the visitors were none other than the leaders Duke of York and this for them was a massive test of their title credentials and with 3 points between the teams it meant a tense tight match between 2 fantastic teams. The opening hands for Monkey Spankers were nothing to shout about and it started what would be a tough night for both teams with the alley playing tricks. Lee Richards 11 spare spared their blushes as a 50,60 start was far below what they wanted. Dukes response was good from the top half as they were cruising to a nice early lead but surprisingly the bottom 3 misfired badly which ended up with Spankers having a 5 pin lead which annoyed Duke. The middle hands for Spankers were better but spares were hard to come by and it blighted their progress with 58,55, not what was required to pressure their rivals. Dukes response was more of the same as the top half were purring nicely but the bottom half again misfired which was a worry for the leaders and the lead for Spankers was now 4. Spankers again couldn’t pressure enough and left Duke two 59’s to win. The scoring was not going well and Duke felt the win had slipped away as Martin Lee needed 19 to win from both his hands and with him having a bad night this wasn’t good for them. Martin is a champion player though and a stunning 14 spare followed with a 7 meant Duke had stolen the win 9-3 by 3 pins to go 9 points clear at the top. Spankers felt they didn’t play well enough for the win and they stay 2nd.

To Stoke club now and to the top alley where reigning champions Stoke WMC got a decent win last week but they aren’t having it their own way this season as yet and currently in 3^rd they need a good run of form if they are to retain their title once again. They were definite favourites as they hosted a very different Pornstars team this season who have at times been weak with their performances, but this match for them generally fires them up for a big performance. Stokes start was not great until the bottom 3 then it became decent but 2 59s was ok at best. The response was pretty good from Pornstars was pretty good as the level of scoring was much better and with Liam Male hitting a 14 spare it was the Stars that were 5 up. The middle hands were a toil for both teams but especially Stoke WMC who misfired badly on one hand, but Pornstars reply was more containing the lead they had so nothing spectacular happened and they did that and were now 4 up and there was real pressure on Stoke WMC. A 13 spare from Jake gave fresh impetus to the champions gave a teasing target of 2 59s to win the match for Pornstars and shock Stoke WMC. Pornstars skipper Anthony Phillips had other ideas and he started a memorable chase as a 12 spar and a 16 spare from Josh Phillips to finish with 56 and a strong finish was complete as Pornstars stunned the champions with a 10-2 win by 14 pins and they are 9th. Stoke are losing their grip on the league title as they drop to 4th.

The 2^nd ‘Showdown’ of the week was at Bakers Arms as both Bakers teams went head to head. Host team was Bakers Rogues who were very unfortunate last week at Duke of York so hoped their fortunes would go in their favour against their derby rivals. Bakers Big Arms have been in mixed form recently but not only were the Christmas jumpers out! But also there was bragging rights to gain. The early hands from both teams were good and despite a poor start from Big Arms the scores were level. The middle hands was more of the same as both teams couldn’t break free of each other as good consistent scoring meant that scores were still level after 4 hands which meant last hands shootout to see who would win. Bakers Rogues made their charge and skipper Paul Gould with a 14 spare and Ryan with a 13 spare was huge and despite a Mike Goad duck and by the way ruined what would’ve been a good night for him, Rogues set two 61s to win which was tough for Big Arms but very getable. An early spare got them off to a great start but all their efforts got them close but not quite close enough as Bakers Rogues won the bragging rights 9-3 by 6 pins to move into 6th. Bakers Big Arms despite the loss are still above their rivals in 5th.

Over we pop to Bell Ash now as we had a mid-table clash between hosts Nobbys Nuts who are doing ok at the moment but needed a win here to push themselves into the top half, but their opponents were in-form Seahawks who have found another gear in recent weeks and have a great opportunity to move into the top 4 with a good win. Nobbys started very slowly and with two mid 50 hands they would be lucky if they were to be up in the early stages. Seahawks response was generally decent a early 13 spare from Luke helped them to a commanding 12 pin lead. Nobbys had to be better and they were to some extent as they grew into the match and a spare from Keith M helped them to a low 60 and a high 50 hand which was much better. Seahawks kept Nobbys at bay though and with consistent scoring all the way through they kept their 12 pin lead going into the last hands. Nobbys took the handbrake off and delivered 4 spares which delivered a huge 78 hand to put pressure on Seahawks who needed 62s to win a cracking match. Seahawks were extraordinary and 4 spares from them gave them a 63 and a bonkers 80 hand to win 11-1 by 20 pins to move up to 3rd. Luke for them was superb with 3 spares for 61. Nobbys Nuts disappointing loss means they are 7th.

A bottom half clash was at Rusty Axe as the aforementioned team are on a horrid downward spiral of form at the moment and in the relegation zone at the moment, so they needed divine inspiration and a morale boosting win as they hosted VIPS who are having a much different season and are looking to improve week by week after the torrid start they had. This match was very much about the opening hands as both teams went for the jugular from the start. Rusty Axe delivered 3 spares for a whopping 68,71 and in reply 2 early spares from VIPS were a good start but they had a weak 52 hand which meant a 20 pin lead for Rusty Axe. After 4 hands VIPS managed to reduce the lead to 15 pins with Callum and Brian getting spares, 11 and 13 respectively. A 12 spare from Paul for Rusty Axe was very timely for them as VIPS came hard again with Callum again hitting a 13 spare for VIPS, but Rusty Axe hung on for a vital win as they won 9-3 by 8 pins to stay in 11th. Another loss for VIPS means they are now 8th.

Off to Somerton Sports Club where we encounter the hosts and bottom team S Club 8 who keep battling and scrapping away for fortune to go their way but with only 1 win so far in the league they really needed to get more wins on the board to get themselves away from the relegation zone. Their opponents are currently near the relegation zone in Nelsons Nomads who would be top of the teams that have most fun! They are a great team that always make you laugh but their form could also do with some luck to go their way and had a big chance against the bottom team to get a good win here. Thus match was ridiculous ad credit to both teams for the scores they produced as S Club hit 4 opening spares in the first hand for an 88 hand! Nelsons Nomads replied with 4 spares spread over both their opening hands as they hit two 71s which is brilliant normally but S Club were remarkably 6 up. The scoring calmed somewhat but Duncan and especially skipper Mark Aylward were having ‘a night’ as another 15 spare from the latter to go with Andy Billings 10 spare gave them a mid 60s hand and they were flying and Nomads were struggling to keep up as S Club were now 11 up. Mark was superb and another 15 spare gave him a total of 66 for a great night personally but Nomads battled hard and Nathan and Harry both had spares to joint top score for them with 58, but S Club 8 got a rare and vital win as they won 9-3 by 10 pins in a brilliant game, but they stay bottom in 12th. Nomads are catching teams on good nights at the moment as they are 10th.

Division 2

We start Division 2 at Elis as this was an interesting match as hosts Ham Boys have had a great first half and are becoming a difficult team to beat as they sit in mid-table, but their opponents are all conquering Swan Shanks who lead the table and don’t look like relinquishing the top spot anytime soon and with Eli’s being renowned for high scores an away win looked likely here. Ham Boys unfortunately played like their old selves for the majority of this as they couldn’t get going as Swan Shanks with spares from Rob L (14), Steve (17) and Ollie (15) were crushing Ham Boys as they were 51 up after 4 hands. Ham Boys to their credit never gave up despite the game being lost as Dan Vigar with a 15 spare gave him a good score of 52 but Ollie top scoring with 53 and Steve not far behind with 52 meant that Swan Shanks cruised to a 10-2 win by 45 pins to stay top and extend the lead to 8 points. Ham Boys were outplayed and outclassed as they are now 6th.

We next go to Rose & Crown at East Lambrook where hosts Thorns & Roses are looking like favourites to be crowned Wooden Spoon champions as they are getting cast adrift at the bottom of the league and it couldnt come any harder for them than this match as their visitors were massively in form Lamb & Larks who look like one of the teams thats going to be promoted at the end of the season due to some impressive results in the first half and they were huge favourites here to continue their great form. Both teams were short of players and also both teams struggled to score on the alley as this was a very low scoring match. Craig top scored with 40 for Thorns & Roses with a 13 spare and a duck with also Tanya suffering the same fate but Larks couldn’t get going either and ended up struggling to get any result here as the match ended up a draw 6-6 which was great for Thorns & Roses as they picked up decent points as they stay bottom in 12th. Lamb & Larks were not good at all and although they stay 2^nd the gap has grown to 8 in Swan Shanks favour.

We go back to Stoke Club and to the bottom alley as hosts Dolphins are in ogood form right now and in 3^rd place are looking to keep pace with the top 2 with another win this week. Their opponents were near bottom placed Mandys Bell Boys who are having a tough time finding wins at the moment and going to an alley which is notoriously hard to score on they were definitely underdogs in this match. Dolphins were indebted to 1 person and that was their skipper Pete Wescott who had a spectacular evening as he hit two 12 spares for 55 and was head and shoulders above anyone here. Mandys couldn’t respond in kind and struggled all night, but it was great to see Mandy Cornelius playing again after not playing for a while but the win was achieved by Dolphins as they won 10-2 by 41 pins to stay 3rd. Mandys keep plugging away and keep smiling as they are 11th.

Off to Rose & Crown at Bower Hinton and to hosts Rosies Rebels who are currently in the bottom half and looking to finish the first half off with a good run of form but their opponents Split Pins are very much in great form and are in the mix for the promotion places and certainly a team to watch out for so this as much as the alley was a leveller it very much looked like an away win here. Rosies anchorman Wayne started like a train! A 9 and a 12 spare put them in control as Rosies were looking good for the win after 4 hands as they were 4 up. Split Pins were keeping themselves in the game though and skipper George McCarthy was consistently good as he top scored with 46 which helped his team to stay solid through the entire match which unfortunately for Rebels they didn’t stay solid and lost their scoring as Split Pins delivered a comeback win 10-2 by 10 pins to stay 4^th with a game in hand on the teams above them. Rosies will see this as a win that slipped away as they are now 9th.

A mid-table clash was at Lord Nelson as Chris Westwood’s Lord Nelson team have been steady all first half despite a lack of strong form and they are doing ok in the middle of the table and they would need to be good as their opponents were Mucky Ducks who after a barrage of scores against them which led to big losses they are now finding themselves this season and moving their way up the table which meant this could be a close match. The scoring was tough most of the night and the match became extremely tight as both teams were level after 4 hands. Lord Nelson continued to struggle but Mucky Ducks found good scoring at the vital moment as a 59 and 53 last two hands meant that Mucky Ducks waddled over the winning line 10-2 by 10 pins to now be 5th. Lord Nelson couldn’t find the winning formula this week as they are now 7th.

There was a bottom half clash at Lamb & Larks as hosts Hotspots are wanting to get some positive and morale boosting form to finish the first half strongly in a hope to move up the table. The visitors were Stoke Buoys who have found some decent form recently after a horrific first half and were bottom at one stage, but good recent form has moved them up the table and they were looking to get a win here to get into the mid-table positions. The match was very much about consistency of hands as Hotspots were very good at that as they hit 50+ hands all the way through. That meant that Stoke Buoys weren’t the same as despite Andy Shire’s excellent 53 the rest of the team struggled. Hotspots were 19 up and then Stoke Buoys came back strong towards the end but Hotspots held on to win 9-3 by 5 pins and are now 10th. Stoke Buoys nearly pulled the win but the loss means they are 8th.

Duke of York are looking unstoppable at the moment and with their lead being 9 points they are going to take some catching! The chasing pack led by Monkey Spankers will continue to hope that Duke falter.

Swan Shanks likewise are in fantastic form and 8 points clear is significant as Lamb & Larks surprise draw against Thorns & Roses has them chasing which at one point was the other way around. 

Lets see what Round 11 brings before the Christmas break!

Cheers

Steve