Martock & District Skittles League
Welcome to the Martock & District Skittles League Website
This site is provided for use by all skittlers in the league (and anyone else interested) to find out what is happening – results, tables, meetings, cup finals, presentation nights, AGMs etc. If you have any comments or suggestions on how to improve the site contact one of the administrators. (email addresses on the Contact Us page).
LATEST NEWS
SWAN SHANKS HAVE MOVED!
Sadly, the Black Swan in Langport recently closed its doors. This required the Swan Shanks to quickly find a new alley. They have been lucky enough to be able to move back to the Crown Inn at Fivehead, where they will play their remaining fixtures this season. The closure of the Black Swan also means that Ham Boys “clash” fixtures at Eli’s will now be played at the King’s Head at High Ham. The Captain of teams affected should be (or have already been) contacted by Darren Cousins and Colin Rock. Interesting times!!
SKITTLES FOOD 2025-26
Here is the list of who is and isn’t doing food this season. Any errors or changes let Steve Lonton or Pete Wescott know.
Steve’s Roving Report
Hi Everyone!!
Its Nomination Week and the Semi Finals were upon us as the final 4 in the Nomination Cup & the Nomination Plate did battle to hopefully make their way into the Finals. Who would get there! Lets go
NOMINATION CUP
SEMI FINAL 1
STOKE WMC (2) v CROWN SHANKS (14)
VENUE: ROSE & CROWN, EAST LAMBROOK
This is a popular venue for the repeat of last seasons semi-final where it went to a last sudden death hand in which Stoke WMC won so in a way there was a bit of revenge for Crown Shanks this time around and with both teams having good seasons so far it was about who could perform on the night as a team.
Crown Shanks skipper Darren Cousins won the coin toss and put Stoke WMC in first. Stoke knew they had to play like they did in the league the week before and that would surely be enough to make another Nomination Cup Final. The start was all important to set the tone and pressure Crown Shanks early, but it was the opposite as a bad start from Richie with a 2 and a 0 and Andy with a 0 and a 4 and Deano with a 7 and a 1 was not the start they wanted and despite recovery from others, 42 and 39 was not ideal but they hoped that Crown Shanks would also struggle early. In reply Shanks were in hot form and despite a starting 0 from Steve he followed it up with a 16 spare to recover well. The bottom half were pinning well and with a 12 pin advantage to start they posted two 56’s to lead by a big 31 pins and immediately Stoke WMC were on the back foot and needed a big response to chomp into the lead quickly. The response came in the form of Skipper Graham Brimble with an 8 and a 11 spare and a 9 and an 8 from Mike Harper, but the rest was a worry as Chris with two 1s, Andy with 6 and a 0 and Stuart (Tommy) with a 3 and a 2 was starting to worry Stoke WMC, but 45 and 36 were the scores on the board and it needed Shanks to come down off the ceiling to get back in the match. Shanks certainly did come off the ceiling with a big thud as low scores kept happening and it needed Matt Irving with a 4th hand 8 and skipper Darren Cousins with his positive form of 7 and a 9 to give them any sort of decent score as 31 and 37 dropped the lead for them to 18 and a massive last two hands for both teams to win the match. A hero was needed for Stoke to give them big hands to put pressure on Shanks but despite most of them pinning well the low scores came up again and 40,44 was all they could muster and 67 pins were needed for a famous win for the Shanks. There were glitches along the way with 3 0’s coming down but Matt Irving dealt the final blow to Stoke and Darren with the victory lap meant a great win for Crown Shanks by 19 pins to make their first Nomination Cup final and congratulations to Darren and his team. Commiserations must go to Stoke WMC who battled hard throughout but a mix of low scores and greater consistency of scoring from Shanks meant semi final dejection. They will now concentrate on defending their league crown. Thankyou to Rose & Crown, East Lambrook for their continued and great hospitality in what was a cracking semi final.
NOMINATION CUP
SEMI FINAL 2
LAMB & LARKS (13) v BAKERS BIG ARMS (3)
VENUE: ROSE & CROWN, BOWER HINTON
The scene was set as Rose & Crown, Bower Hinton for a semi final where both teams had the opportunity to make their first Nomination Cup Final, so the pressure was very much and who would hold their nerve the better would win this match on an alley that is hard to master. Lamb & Larks are having a great season leading Division 2 and Bakers Big Arms are 4th in Division 1 also having a great season and were wanting a first Nomination Final. Larks skipper Steve Marsh won the coin toss and went first knowing they had a 10 pin advantage to play with but knew they had to play well to keep Big Arms at bay. The opening hands from Larks were a struggle but the importance was not to score too many ducks which there were 3 but they were happy that they could add 10 to their first hand which was a b it low (31) and along with a 42 hand wasn’t too bad but there was scope for Big Arms to get going and put pressure on Larks. The reply from Big Arms was very hit and miss as the first hand was terrible for them as 3 ducks were all in the same hand and only 24 was achieved in total, the 2nd hand was much better with decent scoring throughout and a 48 hand repaired some of the damage from the first hand and Larks extended their advantage to 11. It was more of the same for Larks in the middle hands as they weren’t setting this semi final on fire but they kept plugging away with hitting pins which was all important and only 2 ducks this time was not too bad as totals of 43,32 was ok but that 11 pin lead could be under threat if Big Arms get going. However in the middle hands Big Arms as much as they were scoring ok there wasn’t that surge that was expected from them and two 30+ hands was not enough to properly eat into the Larks lead as that was slightly cut to 9 pins. Larks were now in sight of the win and a place in the Nomination Final and the scoring on the last hands was much better as the bottom half scored well and that meant 47,46 which for Big Arms meant 103 pins to win the match and make their first final. The chase looked good for Big Arms but a untimely duck and Gaff with a 1 undid the great work and they fell agonisingly short as we give congratulations to Lamb & Larks who won by 5 pins and make the Nomination Final. Commiserations to Dan Pearce and his Bakers Big Arms men who pushed so hard but fell short in their quest for the final but a great team. Thankyou also goes to Rose & Crown, Bower Hinton for hosting.
NOMINATION PLATE
SEMI FINAL 1
VIPS (10) v PORNSTARS (8)
VENUE: SOMERTON SPORTS CLUB
The first Semi Final was staged at the popular Somerton Sports Club in a battle of two very decent Division 1 teams who have both had their struggles in the league this season, so this was a chance for either team to win this and make the final and therefore a trophy. VIPS are very experienced and Chris Cox’s men are all hardened skittlers but with their season being a transition compared to last seasons league heroics they had the chance to possibly win and make the Nomination Plate Final. For Pornstars transition is a big word this season as the personell may have changed but the energy and effort very much stays the same and with skipper Anthony Phillips constantly energetic and effervescent Pornstars would always have a very good chance of making the Plate Final. There was a 2 pin advantage for VIPS and Chris Cox won the toss and went first knowing they needed to get off to a good start. It was a terrible start from VIPS as there were 5 ducks and a plethora of low scores which meant 31 (with the 2 added on) and 23 which for Pornstars was the perfect chance to get a big lead early on in this Semi Final. The early part of the reply had the 2 ducks they had in the opening hands but quietly without being spectacular Pornstars were doing enough and then anchorman and stand in skipper Liam Male showed his class with a 16 spare for Pornstars who hit 47 and 38 and had a big lead of 31 after the opening hands. The middle hands had to be better from VIPS to get them back in the match and the top half didn’t read the script as ducks happened again and they were struggling until the bottom half got going with Ian getting a 13 spare, Craig (7,8) and Brian with two 9s pulled them back from the brink and 82 pins from both hands wasn’t too bad. Pornstars reply was a twitchy one as despite only 1 duck there was a mix of low scores but Carl Lant with an 8 and 9 spare and Liam Male (7,8) recovered potential low hand totals and two high 30+ hands meant a slight drop in the lead as the Stars were now 26 up. This was a now or never situation for VIPS and big scores needed to happen quickly otherwise it would be curtains for them. Vince had 5 after 5 hands but recovered with a 13 spare but generally the hands didn’t look enough and despite Ian top scoring with 40 they left Pornstars a poultry 53 pins to win and make the Plate final. Pornstars made hard work of it for a while but the dynamic duo of Josh Phillips (8,9) and Liam Male (6,7) calmed it all down and with Liam being the man of the match with 47 Pornstars held out to win by 20 pins and make the Nomination Plate Final, congratulations to them. Commiserations to VIPS who were good in patches but were outplayed and can concentrate on keeping their Division 1 status. Big thankyou to Somerton Sports Club for hosting.
NOMINATION PLATE
SEMI FINAL 2
STOKE BUOYS (23) v RUSTY AXE (11)
VENUE: SOUTH PETHERTON SOCIAL CLUB
This semi final was between two teams who have been in similar form for the majority of the season in their respective divisions so far. For Stoke Buoys this semi final represented a positive turn in form recently and with their experience in going deep in competitions they wouldn’t be overawed with their Division 1 opponents. Rusty Axe have been very limited where it comes to wins but this for them gave them the chance to get to a final which would be a great achievement considering the relegation scrap they find themselves in. Rusty Axe skipper Jon Ellard won the toss and put Stoke Buoys in first and with a 12 pin advantage had to make that pay early. The opening hands for Stoke Buoys were ok in the early stages but Rob was superb as a 9 and a 13 spare was brilliant and a 12 spare from skipper Graeme contributed to a massive first hand of 61 and add the 12 on pushed it to 73! The 38 second hand was meek compared to that but a great start nonetheless. The reply from Rusty Axe was decent as opener Rudi had a 12 spare and Paul with a 9 spare was very good and backup from the other was good too as 39,59 were achieved and the lead for Stoke Buoys hadn’t changed much as they led by 13. Middle hands were good from opener John then a lull in the middle and then the bottom 3 of Rob with a 9 spare, Graeme with a 9 and Andy Shire with two 8s gave hands of 49,39 and were good stable hands on top of their lead. Shaun for Rusty Axe had the start of a nightmare night as both hands were ducks but despite them they plugged away well and two 43 hands and the lead for Stoke Buoys clipped up to 15 pins but the game was still in the balance. Stoke Buoys were having a great night though and 8,9 from John finished up with 43 and despite a couple of ducks in the top half Andy Shires two 9s one of them bolted gave him 48, Graeme Whittle with 43 and Rob top scoring with 49 gave them 47,54 last two hands and it left Rusty Axe needing an unlikely 117 pins to win but it wasn’t impossible. The pressure was too much for Rusty Axe as Shaun’s 2 more ducks finished him with 6 and despite Gary impressing with 40 and Jon top scoring with 41, two 30+ hands meant a big win for Stoke Buoys by 50 pins and make the Final. Congratulations to Graeme Whittle and his men. Rusty Axe now can concentrate on saving themselves in Division 1. A big thankyou to South Petherton Club for hosting.
So………
NOMINATION CUP FINAL
CROWN SHANKS v LAMB & LARKS
VENUE & HANDICAPS TBC
NOMINATION PLATE FINAL
PORNSTARS V STOKE BUOYS
VENUE & HANDICAPS TBC
Both finals will be a great watch and support is always welcome.
Cheers
Steve
