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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. NOTE TO CAPTAINS OF TEAMS THAT DO NOT PROVIDE FOOD: Please ensure that the opposing Team Captain is aware of whether your team would like food when playing on their alley.

Steve’s Roving Report

Hello Everyone

The last week of January and it certainly hasn’t been dry in terms of the weather! Despite the storms that have hit over the month we continue to ride them and the action this week was very intriguing.

In Division 1 the leaders Duke of York keep chalking off the wins one by one in their quest for the league title and this week they hosted Nobbys Nuts who have certainly been up and down with their form but they can turn the hot switch on when least expected so this wasn’t a formality for the long time leaders. Reigning champs Stoke WMC continue to scrap in 2^nd and will battle hard to keep their title for another season, but they had a tricky match this week as they hosted 4^th placed Bakers Big Arms who are capable of some big form and with both teams knocked out of the Nomination Cup last week it was a chance for both teams to banish those losses. Seahawks currently in 3^rd were due to be away at struggling Pornstars but the match was cancelled and will play at a later date. Monkey Spankers were still looking for their first points this year after two damaging 12-0 losses and had a golden opportunity to sort that out as they hosted bottom team S Club 8 who are improving week on week and with a bit of luck might have had a few more points but with Spankers woes at the moment this was a chance for S Club 8 to cause a shock.

Bakers Rogues sitting pretty in mid-table and strong at home looked a good bet this week as they hosted struggling Rusty Axe who are right in the battle for survival and need to get wins on the board to achieve this.

Another mid-table clash was hosts Nelsons Nomads looking to continue decent form as they faced VIPS who could do with a boost of a win or 2 to move up the table. Division 2 is incredibly tight at the top with leaders Lamb & Larks, Split Pins and Crown Shanks separated by only 3 points which means any win would be big and any loss would be potentially damaging. That was evident this week as the current top 2 faced off as hosts & leaders Lamb & Larks who also booked their place in the Nomination Final looked to continue excellent form as they faced Split Pins who are very dangerous this season and can easily wreck the great run that Lamb & Larks are on, this match for the winner would put them clear at the top and the loser a setback and possibly drop as a result. Crown Shanks could take advantage of that game as they were at Lambrook to face bottom team Thorns & Roses and with the Thorns struggling to achieve points at the moment Crown Shanks needed to get a big result to push them into the top 2 spots. Dolphins carry on their serene way in 4^th and all they can do is keep winning in the hope they may push themselves into the promotion spots, they hosted Lord Nelson who in lower mid-table are looking for a boosting win to push themselves higher up the table. 5^th v 6^th as Mucky Ducks hosted Stoke Buoys in a potential high scoring affair. Ham Boys and Hotspots will paly another day as their match was cancelled and Mandys Bell Boys hosted Rosies Rebels in a lower mid-table clash. 

Who ended the month on a high in Round 14 and who would lick their wounds! Lets find out!

Division 1

We start this week at Duke of York and the leaders. Roger Lee and his Duke of York team are the team to beat but with Stoke WMC on their tails then there had to be no room to rest on their laurels and a decent win was needed this week to hopefully extend their lead further. They hosted Nobbys Nuts who are a mixed bag at the moment and with that there’s unpredictability so as much as they could pull a great performance out Duke of York had to keep their form high to win this. The weather had an effect on as the sticker ups struggled with the damp conditions and therefore the players struggling to score. The start for Duke was very consistent as 7’s and 8’s were the majority of the scoring and therefore two 55’s was a decent start for the leaders. Nobbys Nuts in reply really struggled with the dampness and scoring was hard for them as a mix of scores from 3s to 7s and the odd 8 didn’t do them well at all and with hands of 39,49 they were already well behind as Duke led by 22 and s commanding lead. It was more of the same for Duke in the middle hands as skipper Roger Lee led the way with an 8 and a 9 and the scoring from the team was decent if not spectacular all the way through as 55,53 was decent to keep pressure on their opponents. Nobbys Nuts in reply were a lot better with a few more 8s and less low scores but 54,49 wasn’t enough for the lead to grow as Duke now led by 27 and all 4 hands. Roger was superb and despite a bolted 9 spare he ended up with top score of 47 and evergreen Maurice Lee with 46 were the stars but slightly lower scores of 51,49 meant an unlikely two 64’s to win for their opponents. Nobbys struggled all night but did take a hand as a consolation but it was a good performance from the leaders as Duke of York won 11-1 by 35 pins to extend their lead at the top to 8 points. Nobbys Nuts despite the loss were great fun as always and they are 7th. Not forgetting to mention that Duke of York sticker up Beth showed all the skittlers how it should be done as she tagged on at the end and hit an opening 16 spare and ended up with 50! Top work!!

We go to Stoke Club for a top alley clash between 2^nd and 4^th placed teams as hosts Stoke WMC are battling to hold onto their league crown and know they have to keep in touch with Duke of York and hope for a loss here or there from them but they must look after themselves and this was a tricky match as they hosted Bakers Big Arms who can turn on the gas and the accelerator at any point so Stoke had to put a top level performance in to shake off their strong opponents and with both teams recently knocked out of the Nomination Cup Semi Finals this was important to get the winning trail back on track. A slow start from Stoke as skipper Graham Brimble and Ricky didn’t get off to a good start but the rest got going and a high 50 and 60 hands were not too bad a start. Big Arms opening salvos were good as Peas cracked a opening 13 spare in to give them a great start but the odd 4 and 2 floated in which harmed the hands as 52,62 meant a 3 pin lead for Stoke WMC and 1 hand each. Staying highly consistent was the key to Stoke’s performance and Graham with 2 9’s and Mike Harper with a 13 spare gave them similar hands like the first two of 55,63 and it was up to Bakers Big Arms to ramp up the pressure. Likewise they stayed consistent and a 15 spare from Rooster hugely contributed to 59,60 hands but Stoke stayed ahead by 2 pins and 2-2 in hands so all to play for. Stoke put their foot on the gas knowing they had to if they were to win the game and high consistent scoring along with a 14 spare from Stuart Tommy Taylor gave them decent hands and left Bakers Big arms needing 127 pins to win which was unlikely but never impossible. Despite masses of effort they couldn’t get spares which would’ve got them over the line as they fell short and Stoke WMC won

10-2 by 15 pins to stay 2^nd and now 8 points behind Duke of York, Tommy top scored with 54. Bakers Big Arms despite the loss stay 4^th .

We next got to South Petherton Club and to a team in dire form at the moment in Monkey Spankers who started the year 2^nd and with no wins so far this year they could end up with a different form of ‘ Dry January ‘ if they were not to win this match which despite their torrid form they were big favourites as they faced bottom team S Club 8 who are doing decently now and picking up points in their quest to beat the drop but they would need Spankers to continue their bad home form if they were to have a chance here. What has been evident with Spankers is the lack of spares and scoring and inconsistencies flared again as 4’s and 5’s early on meant a 48 hand to accompany a 60 hand which was very average for them at best. S Club also had issues as lots of 5’s came up but 2 spares from Guy (11) and skipper Mark (12) meant they were 1 up which was a great start for them. Spankers just couldn’t fire and decent consistent scoring was eclipsed by the need for spares which never came in the middle hands and mild again with 59,52 just wasn’t great for them. S Club decisively swung the game in their favour as again Guy and Mark with spares 14 and 15 respectively meant a blistering 72 hand to go along with a 55 and they were now 17 up and 3-1 up in hands and a seismic shock looked on here. This was now or never for Spankers in the last two hands but despite decent scoring again and a 12 spare from Matt Gould the 60 and 63 hands left two 53’s for S Club 8 to get a rare win and a brilliant win. It looked like they were throwing  it away as 5’s and 4’s were frequent but an 11 spare from Andy Billings helped the cause and skipper Mark got them over the winning line just by 1 pin 10-2 and with that move off the bottom into 11th, well played!! What is going on with Monkey Spankers who confirm ‘Dry January’ with no wins this month and stay 5th.

Off to Bakers Arms as hosts Bakers Rogues are settled nicely in mid-table in 6^th spot but need a run of good form if they are to push further up the table which form for them is sporadic so they needed a good home win here and their opponents were Rusty Axe who continue to struggle in the drop zone of the top division and needed some divine inspiration if they are to get form going in the right direction. Good starts from Rogues skipper Paul Gould and young Sam Batten helped a slight wobble in the middle order but two mid to late 50+ hands were a good start. Ben for Rusty Axe provided a good start for them with a 12 spare but the frequency of low scores were more from Rusty Axe and a mid 40 hand along with a mid 50 hand meant Rogues were both hands to the good and 13 up. The top half for Rogues were superb especially Sam with two 9s and with Keano finishing the hands off with a 10 spare it was two late 50+ hands which was ideal to backup the first hands and put Rusty Axe under masses of pressure. That was clearly evident with the pressure as Rusty Axe haemorrhaged low scores and two 40+ scores meant that Rogues won all 4 hands and were now 40 up. Sam Batten had a great night finishing top score with 49 and decent scoring throughout meant a nice pattern of 50+ scores and two 74’s for Rusty was clearly improbable. Rusty fought to the end and managed to win the last two hands but Bakers Rogues won comfortably 10-2 by 38 pins to stay in 6^th and a good win for them. Rusty Axe were clearly outplayed here and drop to the bottom in 12th.

We next go to Lord Nelson and to a lower table clash between hosts Nelsons Nomads who are picking up some decent form in recent weeks but they are low in the table due to sporadic weak form so they hoped to get a good win at home this week as they faced visitors VIPS who are battling away for some decent form to push up the table but they need to get wins soon otherwise they could get pushed into the relegation picture which is a far cry from last seasons heroics. This match was an attritional battle with both teams struggling to get any grip on the match as Nomads mix of opening scores leading to an opening 50,47 was not the greatest of starts. It was a hard slog for VIPS at the start too as a couple of 3’s popped up but they managed to squeeze both hands to their advantage and were 4 up. The mix of low scores continued for Nomads with too many 5’s and 55,45 wasn’t going to get them over the line unless something dramatic happened in the last two hands. Same happened for VIPS as 4’s and 5’s were evident and the scores were almost identical and they stayed 4 up. It just wasn’t happening for Nomads but a rocket out of the blue happened for them which swung the game massively in their favour. Nathan with a brilliant 18 spare and anchorman Neil with a 13 spare meant a 67 hand which that 1 hand might well win them this low scoring affair. Dave was the solitary leading light for VIPS with 48 but needing two 54’s they came up short and Nomads pulled victory from the jaws of defeat and won 8-4 by 7 pins to move into 8th. VIPS tight loss here means they are 9th.

Seahawks were looking to keep their interests near the top of the league going and had an away trip against Pornstars who keep battling away this season in the lower end of the table. This was cancelled due to weather concerns and issues so will play another day. Seahawks stay 3^rd and Pornstars are 10th.

Division 2

The clear match to watch in Division 2 was the top of the table clash this week as we go to Lamb & Lark and to host team and top of the table Lamb & Larks who are looking in unstoppable form right now and they needed to keep their foot on the gas because their opponents are very dangerous themselves in Split Pins who are going to challenge hard for the Division 2 title and this match posed a chance for them to promote their aspirations and dent Larks in the process. Larks started off not too bad and a mix of very good and not too great was the story of the first 2 hands and two mid 50 hands were the starters to this tasty clash. Likewise Split Pins with a mix of scores were also having a mix of good and bad but they were slightly worse off as Larks were both hands up and 7 to the good. Larks flexed their muscles from here on in as Coach had a spare (13) and Claus (10) meant a 64 hand to follow a dire 44 by their standards but still put pressure on Split Pins. This though was turning into a classic and a 12 from opener Dave and good scoring throughout meant Split Pins were now leading by 1 pin with a vital 2 hands to come for both teams. Coach was superb with 50 and a 15 spare last hand from Friar meaning he top scored with 52 and 60,58 hands meant Split Pins had to find the spectacular finish they have been making recently. It just didn’t happen and the pressure might have got to them as they got nowhere near and Larks won a vital clash here 11-1 by 16 pins to be 3 points clear at the top. Split Pins loss here means they drop to 3rd.

Next is East Lambrook and to the Rose & Crown as bottom team and hosts Thorns & Roses are likely to stay there unless they pick up some sort of decent form in the 2^nd half but they had a low chance of winning at home this week as they faced visitors Crown Shanks who are in a week by week battle for the top spot and they knew with the top 2 facing each other that they wanted a big win here to take advantage of whoever lost in the top clash. This was clearly not good from the bottom team Thorns and there was not much to say about their performance apart from skipper Sean saying it was dire but Shanks didn’t have to push themselves here as they were 23 up after the opening hands and then a spare from Pete (11) meant the lead was extended to 53 and all 4 hands. Shanks were in total control and the only blip was somehow they lost the last hand by 1 pin which was a 38 hand!! Could that have a bearing down the line of the league title?? For now though Shanks won 11-1 by 60 pins to climb into 2^nd just 3 points behind the leaders. Thorns abject performance means they are rooted to the bottom in 12th.

The bottom alley at Stoke Club had hosts Dolphins who have been 4^th for quite sometime who continue to keep their good form going in the hope that at some point the top 3 will slip up, but for now they must continue to look after themselves and they were favourites as they hosted Lord Nelson who in the lower half of the table try to pick up wins here and there but are lacking consistency of good form which wouldn’t help when your on a hard alley as Stoke lower alley is. It started very scratchy from Dolphins and needed a bottom half revival to post anything decent as a mid 50 and low 40 hand was not a great start. A 13 spare from Niall made Nelsons reply a decent one and with ok scoring to follow up Lord Nelson were 5 up. New man Joe for Dolphins is turning into a great signing and a 14 spare was brilliant to back up a decent opening to the middle hands for Dolphins and a decent finish meant 62,52 and put Nelson on the ropes. The reply was passive from Lord Nelson as scoring became difficult and no spares meant low 50 hands and Dolphins had a lead of 7 which they wanted to put the foot down to win this game. Pete Wescott bolted a spare but they were ok at best in the last hands. Joe top scored with 48 and Dolphins left Nelson 55s to win. This was definitely achievable but not for Nelson as the scores didn’t happen and they fell short as Dolphins won by 17 pins 11-1 to stay 4th. Lord Nelson’s loss means they are 9th.

We go to Eli’s for a mid-table clash between two very well experienced teams as hosts Mucky Ducks who are in decent form now and are the best of the rest at the moment outside the top 4 were looking to continue powerful scoring at home as they hosted visitors Stoke Buoys whose good form recently means they are moving up the table and also have the Nomination Plate final to look forward too, an intriguing clash awaits here. There were spares on both sides in the early goings but after 4 hands it was Stoke Buoys who were 10 up. Mucky Ducks showed fight here though and 2 big spares meant a 72 hand along with a 58 and that meant 121 pins to win for Stoke Buoys was definitely achievable on this alley. Good consistent scoring from Stoke Buoys was fine but the spares dried up and they had to dig deep and from a lead they had to scrap and it ended up a draw 6-6 372 each and a good game between 2 very well matched teams. Stoke Buoys stay 6^th and Mucky Ducks stay 5th.

Off to Bell Ash as we had a lower table affair and hosts Mandys Bell Boys who continue to have fun as well as getting the odd win here and there and that exactly can be said for opponents Rosies Rebels who are having a slightly better season than last despite a loss of form in recent weeks. Early good scoring from Mandys Bell Boys including a 10 spare from Nick meant two early 60 hands. In reply Chris with a 14 spare from Rosies Rebels was superb but the 5’s crippled them a bit and Bell Boys were 7 up. And both hands won. Mandys were playing decently but the lack of a spare was starting to niggle them and two mid 50 hands were not what was needed to back up their good start. Rosies were improving and a 12 spare from Paul along with good backup meant a 65 hand and despite a 51 hand which they lost the lead had been cut to 2 pins and last hands were now a shootout for the win. Two 4s from Dan T was unfortunate and could’ve been so much more as two mid 50 hands meant two 57s to win for Rosies Rebels. The chase was superb as Paul with a 13 spare and Kym with a 16 spare put Rebels in full control and a brilliant finish from them meant they won comfortably 9-3 by 19 pins to stay 10th. Mandys Bell Boys missed chances means they are 8th. 

There was a clash between mid-table Ham Boys who have had a great season so far with good wins along the way. They were at Kings Head High Ham to face Hotspots who are wallowing away near the bottom of the table and hoped to get a win here to get some form going. This was cancelled due to weather concerns and will play at a later date. Ham Boys are 7^th and Hotspots are 11th.

We are deep into the season now and both divisions are taking shape into what could be a crescendo!! Division 1 looks like a two horse race now with Duke of York having a healthy lead over title rivals and league holders Stoke WMC and the relegation picture is far from certain with S Club 8 now off the bottom of the table. Division 2 has 16 points separating the top 4 and is looking like it will change week on week and with Lamb & Larks still at the top fending off the threat from Crown Shanks now in 2^nd we have no clue who will fill the top positions. Thorns & Roses keep a stranglehold on the Wooden Spoon currently.

What will Round 15 bring!! We shall find out soon.

Cheers 

Steve