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. 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
Hi Everyone
3 weeks left and its getting exciting for the teams at the top of both divisions and not so great for the teams in the relegation battle.
In Division 1 the title race took a big twist as the long time leaders Duke of York lost at the Bakers against Bakers Big Arms and for them it wasn’t a good sign especially when they were there again to face Bakers Rogues and they needed to win that one as the gap at the top is only 3 points as Stoke WMC have week by week just kept the pressure on and now they have a big chance as the door has opened for them to win the title and they hosted struggling Nelsons Nomads who for them are in a big relegation battle so this was a key game at both end of the table. Bakers Big Arms still have a remote chance to pinch the runners up spot especially after that huge win against Duke of York and they had a decent chance as they were away to Nobbys Nuts who are plodding along to the end of the season. Monkey Spankers are looking likely to finish 4th and they have picked up decent form recently which is bad news for their opponents Pornstars who need to pick up a win at least to guarantee safety but after their win against Bakers Rogues last time out they felt they could do it again. Seahawks in mid-table looked to finish the season well and were favourites to win this week as they travelled to face bottom team Rusty Axe who are on life support now in Division 1 as they need to win the remaining matches to have a chance of surviving. S Club 8 are fighting hard to survive themselves and a home match this week against VIPS was a match they felt they needed to win and for their opponents a chance to cement another season in the top division. There was a backmatch to focus on as well as Pornstars looked for more points in their survival race as they hosted mid-table Seahawks. Division 2 gives leaders Lamb & Larks the chance to achieve promotion and a win would make sure as they had a tricky away match at Stoke Club against Dolphins who are still scrapping for promotion themselves. Crown Shanks may believe they can’t win the Division 2 title but promotion is a big possibility for them and they had a chance of big points as they travelled to Bower Hinton to face lower half Rosies Rebels. Split Pins are also in the promotion battle as they looked for a big win as they travelled to Limington to face lowly Hotspots. Mid-table Mucky Ducks travelled to East Lambrook to face Wooden Spoon favourites Thorns & Roses. There was a middle of the table clash as Lord Nelson hosted Stoke Buoys and lowly Ham Boys were home this week at Elis to face Mandys Bell Boys.
We are at the sharp end of the season so what could go right or wrong in Round 20!
Division 1
We start this week like last at Bakers Arms where the leaders Duke of York got stunned last week as they were outplayed by a very good Bakers Arms team and they needed to get back on the winning trail quickly and couldn’t afford to lose again especially with not may games left and only a 3 point lead to protect. Part 2 of their Bakers matches was against hosts Bakers Rogues who were on decent form until they got humbled by Pornstars and they likewise wanted a decent win and these matches between these two teams are quality matches so we all expected both teams to go hammer and tongs at each other with the ultimate respect shown. The start had to be good from Rogues and it did as skipper Paul Gould opened with a 2nd hand 10 spare, but then a mixture of low scores to 8s and a 9 meant the hands were a little wonky as Rogues hit 49,60 for a fairly decent start. Duke of York sipper Roger Lee started well with 8,9 but it was fairly timid in this crucial game for them and a collection of medium and low scores meant two 52s and Rogues led by 5 pins and it was 1 hand each. The middle hands by Rogues were not bad but not exceptional as there were a lot of 7s and 8s throughout and therefore two middling 50+ hands were achieved. Duke had to improve from their opening hands or they could be more behind, and some of them had success as Steve Shire hit a big 15 spare, but he needed to as yours truly Steve Lonton hit a 2 and a 5 which damaged the hands and despite a decent finish to he hands they tied them both so Rogues were still 1 hands each and 5 up! What was going to give in this match? Well Rogues got their mojo at the right time as skipper Paul Gould hit a 15 spare to top score with 55, a rare spare let alone a 16 spare from Mike Goad was massive in the context of the game and sound backup meant huge hands of 65,67 which left the leaders Duke needing a massive two 69s to win this. A bolted spare early from Roger was decent but as hard as they could fight here there was nothing working for them and 59,53 meant a brilliant victory for Bakers Rogues 11-1 by 25 pins to stay in 5th for the current time but a great win nonetheless. Duke of York are now 2nd due to the last couple of losses but the league title is still there for the taking but they need to be back to their powerful best very soon.
Stoke WMC have been ultra consistent and kept going with the wins in the hope that Duke of York would crack and open the door for them to retain their title which Duke have and now for them it needs Stoke to continue to win and keep pressure on before the humdinger of the last game. They were big favourites as they hosted struggling Nelsons Nomads who needed the win badly to stop them dropping into the relegation places, but they do have a knack of surprise wins when least expected so not a foregone conclusion for the hosts. What has been noticeable from Stoke WMC is their ultra consistency of scoring and despite no spares in the opening hands they were very good with 7s,8s and 9s which led to opening 56,60 hands. Consistency has not been Nomads friend the entire season and lack of it has been the story of their season and it was the same in the opening hands as low hands at the start and finish spoilt what could’ve been a decent start but 58,49 meant a early 9 pin lead for the title chasers. It was the same story in the middle hands for Stoke as they were good with their 7s, 8s and 9s once more and 57,61 kept the pressure on Nomads to stick with them. The reply from Nomads was very good as they indeed took the battle to Stoke WMC and Nath with a 14 spare after some decent scoring all round meant that 67,54 cut Stoke’s lead to 6 pins and it was very much game on in the last two hands. Richie got a 12 spare but a 3 to follow wasn’t quite what was needed and there was probably frustration they couldn’t get any more as 57,55 meant Nomads needed 60,59 which was possible but needed to be at their best and more to achieve this. The problem child of consistency dogged Nomads once more and low scores dragged down what looked like a good chance for Nomads and therefore two 52s meant that Stoke WMC win 10-2 by 14 pins to move to the top at this vital stage of the season and lead by 6 points from Duke of York. Nelsons Nomads had no fortune and in 10th are in a dogfight to stay up.
Next we go to Bell at Ash where hosts Nobbys Nuts are meandering towards the end of the season as they are just below mid-table and safe for another season in the top flight, they will hope though to finish the season well and a win at home is always good. They would have to be at their best though as 3rd placed Bakers Big Arms are riding a crest of a wave right now and a big win over the leaders last time out gave them more positive vibes and with still an outside possibility of snatching runners up they needed to get a big win here to make that dream a real possibility. Nobbys started slowly but the bottom half kicked into gear and Keith B with a 13 spare gave the hands a decent look as 56,60 was ok but felt a little short. Likewise though the reply from Big Arms was consistent but struggling for a few fireworks as there was decent scores being hit but nothing substantial as 60,57 meant a 1 pin lead for the visitors. Dicky fired a 15 spare in and there was much better scoring from Nobbys Nuts despite a rocky start from Shane as 62,59 put decent pressure on Big Arms. Spider doubled his legs as he hit a 16 spare and fantastic scoring in that hand alone meant a 73 hand and with 56 to follow meant the lead for Big Arms grew to 9. Nobbys needed two very big hands of their own to test the resolve of Big Arms and there were no spares but lots of decent scores as two 58s meant two 54s were needed for another Big Arms win. The struggles were real in the chase for Big Arms and with Leon Taylor needing an 8 and 7 to win, it felt like the match had slopped from their grasp. The lad did good as he hit 7,9 as Bakers Big Arms breathed a huge sigh of relief and won 8-4 by 2 pins to stay 3rd and need both wins from their final games to give them a chance for runners up. Nobbys Nuts tight loss here means they are 7th.
We are off to South Petherton Club next as the hosts Monkey Spankers have had a rollercoaster of a 2nd half to the season as they started it in 2nd but poor form dropped them down to 4th and then good form has come back which for them must be frustrating at what could’ve been for them in the league. They were favourites here against relegation battling Pornstars who looked like have given themselves hope as they got a big win over Bakers Rogues last time out and needed a similar performance and more to give them a chance to beat Spankers. The Spankers of old are back to their best as from the off they looked hungry as a 13 spare from RJ was superb and then Matty Gould got to work as two opening spares of 14,11 was great and then Rosco with a 17 spare finished off the brilliant start as 73,63 put Pornstars under huge pressure early. To be fair Pornstars heads didn’t drop and they tried really hard to get close and John with a 13 spare was decent but 59,56 meant that Spankers ran out to a early 21 pin lead. The demolition continued as skipper Sean Doble hit a 13 spare and lots of 8s and 9s backing that up followed with a 14 spare from DS meant 65,69 and the mountain just got even bigger for the Stars. The preying mantis Anthony Phillips swooped in for a 14 spare and John was their biggest Star as he hit his 2nd spare of the night with a 14 spare as 50,70 for the Stars meant that Spankers led by 35 and unless a massive crash happens Spankers looked good for the win. Sean with his 2nd spare (14), RJ with his 2nd spare (13) and Rosco with his 2nd spare (14) gave hands of 64,69 and a brilliant total score of 403 and 74,75 was the unlikely scenario for Stars to win. The battling qualities were evident from the Stars but the chase was far too heavy for them despite Garry with a 12 spare and Man of the Match John with his 3rd spare (15) and a cracking score of 64. 63,49 meant that Monkey Spankers won 11-1 by 56 pins to stay 4th. Pornstars are 9th but are looking over their shoulders with safety still not assured in Division 1.
To Rusty Axe and to the hosts as they are rooted to the bottom of the table and if results went against them this week they would be confirmed relegated which is a shame because at time have looked decent but wins have been rare all season and constantly out of fortune means they are where they are but I hope they continue to enjoy themselves right to the end of the season. Their opponents were mid-table Seahawks who like the table has suggested their form has been up and down all season so you couldn’t really tell which way this game would go despite the visitors being favourites. The start was timid from the hosts and despite a decent finish from them, only 53,49 was hit and not a good start. The start from Seahawks was wingless though as a succession of low scores blighted their progress and 47,51 meant that the bottom team were 3 in front and hoped to build on their lead. The scoring seemed to struggle on, but Shaun fired the game into life as a 16 spare was superb and two 9s from Paul to follow gave positive momentum as 53,62 was a lot better and put big pressure on Seahawks. The improvement from Rusty Axe sparked Seahawks into life and Azz with a 9 spare was good and lots of 7s,8s and 9s meant decent hands were hit as 61,56 meant the lead for Rusty Axe was a nervy 1 pin and a big two hands for their season were now upon them. The low scores came back for Rusty Axe and although there were a plethora of 9s the hand scores of 53,58 gave Seahawks a target of 57,56 to win which was more than possible for them. The chase for Seahawks would have been made easier if spares were to be had, but there were none and it got nervy as it went to the wire and anchorman Paul needed 13 pins to win and he got 8,7 as Seahawks edged a tight match 9-3 by 2 pins to stay in 6th. Rusty Axe battled very hard here but despite the tight loss the axe has not fallen just yet for relegation but they must win next week to have any hope and even then they may not survive, a loss would confirm their drop to Division 2.
We are off to another relegation battling side as we go to Somerton Sports Club and to hosts S Club 8 who put the capital B in battling as they have tried hard since the new year to keep themselves from going down and their better form has dragged a couple of teams into the mix which is testament to the way they have performed but they have to go to the end and they have vital games against opposition who are fighting with them so every point counts now. Their visitors were VIPS who have finally saved themselves in Division 1 after a tough season and have been a shadow of their former selves but good form now will give them joy going into next season hopefully. S Club 8 have been very good at home recently so hoped to start well early on but there was a bad mix of low scores that didn’t help their cause and hand scores of 52,58 was an average start for them. VIPS looked far more steady with their scoring and there was a mass of 7s but Ian with a 13 spare gave the hands a better look as 55,58 was achieved and a lead of 3 pins. It got worse for S Club 8 in the middle hands as low scores early and not much in the way of big scores meant hands of 46,57 which was worrying when they needed that push to get in front. VIPS constantly were threatening and Vince provided a big punch in this match as a 16 spare was hit and despite Brian with a 2 they hit 56,62 and were up by 18 pins and up all 4 hands. It was boom or bust now for S Club 8 and they certainly went for it as S Club Ian hit a 12 spare and the team with loads of 8s meant 68,53 meant VIPS needed two 52s to win. VIPS stayed cooled and controlled and despite the odd wobble they got the match done 11-1 by 10 pins to stay in 8th place. S Club 8 are running out of games and are likely to need to win both their last matches to save themselves but next week is huge against Nomads as they stay 11th.
In the back-match played on Tuesday we are back at Rusty Axe as hosts Pornstars needed the points here to help their cause in the relegation battle and they would hope to get a much needed win as the visitors for the 2nd time in 4 days was Seahawks who looked to continue winning form and do the ‘Rusty Double’. It was hard going early on as Pornstars looked to get positive momentum and two 53’s wasn’t the best of starts for them. Seahawks in reply struggled as well and couldn’t get out of 2nd gear as low hands crippled them and 50,49 meant the lead for the Stars was 7. The Mantis was at it again as Anthony Phillips hit an 11 spare and then John continued his superb form with a 14 spare and hands of 52,68 was much more like it from them. Seahawks bit back well and continued to score well but Paul’s 15 spare got them in the match and 57,65 cut Pornstars lead to 5 and a nervy last two hands was on the cards here. The Stars were nervy and it took John to calm them and two 9s for a top score of 55 was brilliant from him and in the last two matches. 51,56 meant that Seahawks needed 57,56 to win. It was a struggle at times for Seahawks, but a 13 spare gave impetus but they crawled over the line here as they won 8-4 by 2 pins to move up to 5th. Stars despite the loss gained a crucial 4 points and 1 win from their last 2 guarantees them safety as they stay 9th.
Division 2
We first go to Stoke Club and to the bottom alley where host team Dolphins were not the centre of attention here despite being the home team the focus was on the away team as champions elect Lamb & Larks had the chance to secure promotion to Division 1 with a win here which would be well deserved considering the trail blazing season they have had. Dolphins harbour hopes of promotion still so this wasn’t a simple equation for Larks here. Typical low scores started off for Dolphins as it was a struggle early on and Marc Webber made the hands decent with 8,9 as 51,52 was an ok start at best. Lofty started badly with a duck and it was a mix of scores for the leaders Larks and likewise anchorman Steve Marsh skittled well for 9,7 but 51,48 meant Dolphins led by 4 pins early on. The continuation of struggle for Dolphins was evident as the top 5 battled to not much but the bottom 3 recovered the hands as 48,50 could’ve been a lot worse. Lofty rose to new heights with a 12 spare and Larks fought hard to claw themselves back in the match and 50,51 meant 2 hands each and 1 pin advantage for Dolphins with a crucial last 2 hands coming up. Dolphins owed a lot to Marc Webber as the rest struggled for anything as a 15 spare and a 9 gave 57 which was superb from Sparky but two 53s gave Larks a chance to win. The reason they are top is because of the week after week scoring when it matters as they delivered at the right time as two bolted spares from Moo and Tank delivered the killer blows and……
Congratulations to Lamb & Larks who confirm Promotion to Division 1 as they won 10-2 by 6 pins and any win next week means they will be confirmed Division 2 Champions. Dolphins despite Marc’s heroics lost out here and are likely to be in Division 2 for another season as they stay 4th.
Off to Rose & Crown at Bower Hinton as hosts Rosies Rebels will happily know they won’t win the Wooden Spoon this season which means they have had a decent season and most importantly enjoyed the season they’ve had and always have a good following. Their opponents were promotion chasing and Nomination Cup Champions Crown Shanks who need to get back to winning ways quickly as they are not certain of promotion either yet and need to put in a big performance here to give them hope. Rebels started ok but not great as a mix of low scores to 7s and a 9 meant they hit two mid 40 scores and that gave Crown Shanks an opening to get a lead here. Despite a 2 from Steve the level of scoring from Shanks was very decent and a 13 spare from skipper Darren Cousins gave Shanks 58,51 and a decent 18 pin lead. It got worse for Rebels as there was a duck from Leanne and low scores in the top half especially meant 48 and a horrendous 33 meaning that Shanks could widen the gap further here. It was similar in a way for Shanks as there was lowish scores but the bottom half took over and Darren was on it here as another 13 spare meant Shanks hit 55,51 and they were 43 up and game was over as a contest. Rebels kept battling and to their credit they scored well especially on the last hand as Chris hit a 16 spare and Rebels hit 39,58, this left Shanks needing a poultry 55 pins to win the match. The standard was superb from Shanks as they scored well right through the chase and Darren top scored with 55 as Shanks won big by 58 pins 12-0 to give them every chance of promotion as they stay in 2nd place and 8 ahead of Split Pins in 3rd. Rebels got the literal hiding and are 9th.
We go to Limington where hosts Hotspots continue to plug away in the lower half of the table and hope to finish this week and the season well but they had a hard match this week as the visitors were 3rd place Split Pins who are in the battle for promotion with Crown Shanks and they know now that every win and points is critical to their chances. Hotspots started a bit up and down as a range of scores were hit without any spares and opening hands of 42,56 were ok at best. Split Pins were much better with their opening scores and Flunkey with a 14 spare helped Split Pins to 56,52 and a 10 pin lead was a good start. Rich for Hotspots hit a 14 spare as Hotspots rose into the match and 57,48 was much better from them. Split Pins had a lull in reply as more lower scores were hit and 52,47 meant that the lead was cut to 4 for Split Pins and two hands each. Olly hit a 13 spare for a cracking score of 49 but Hotspots struggled and two 49’s meant that Split Pins needed 95 pins to win the match. A 12 from Paul and a 14 to finish made the chase easier than it looked and Split Pins won 9-3 by 26 pins to stay 3rd and keep in the promotion hunt. Hotspots loss here means they are 10th.
Rose & Crown at East Lambrook is the next destination as bottom team and Wooden Spoon favourites Thorns & Roses are not far way from securing the Spoon but you never know what surprises they can throw and the visitors would hope there were none here as Mucky Ducks look like they are good for 5th place and they were favourites to get a decent win here. Thorns & Roses have struggled to score well at their new home this season and it continued here as opening hands of 45,42 wasn’t the best. It wasn’t great from Ducks either but a 12 spare meant 53,50 and a 16 pin lead. It got worse for Roses as 1s and 2s were evident here and 42,34 deflated them. Ducks were getting to grips with the alley better and a mix of scores meant that 51,46 gave them a lead of 37 pins. The low scoring kept on coming for Roses but they soldiered on and 43,46 meant that Ducks needed 53 to win here. They cruised here and didn’t need to overdo it as 53,52 meant Mucky Ducks won 12-0 by 55 pins to stay 5th.
Thorns & Roses stay bottom and nearly have both hands on the Wooden Spoon.
Lord Nelson we go to next and in the lower half they have battled away all season and with mixed results they are where they are and will enjoy themselves to the end of the season. Their opponents were mid-table Stoke Buoys who have had a much more positive 2nd half to the season and will hope to continue in that fashion here. The start from Nelson wasn’t great as lots of low scores were hit despite a decent start from Peter P but 47,46 was not on the agenda. The reply was rock steady from Stoke Buoys and very little in the way of low scores and 57,51 meant a good lead of 15 for them. Nelson needed a rocket up their bums and they played better in the middle hands as Niall put in a 10 spare and Chris hit 8,9 as the hand totals were 56,53, a vast improvement on the start. Stoke Buoys opener John hit a 9 spare and the steady scoring was a feature here for them as 56,55 meant that all 4 hands were won and they were 17 up. Big scores were needed from Nelson but it was erratic as Peter P was the shining light for them as a 14 spare gave him a total of 46 and a 12 spare from Niall you would think give Nelson a big two hands, but 40 and 54 was low and left Stoke Buoys needing 78 to win here. Stoke Buoys did struggle in the chase but they got the job done as they won 11-1 by 15 pins to stay 6th. Lord Nelson got outplayed here and are 8th.
Lat off we go to Eli’s where hosts Ham Boys can’t remember the last time they won a league match! Due to that fact they have dropped from once top in the early stages of the season to 2nd bottom with a faint hope of snatching the Wooden Spoon. They hoped to try again for the win here against visitors Mandys Bell Boys who have had a decent 2nd half and are nicely in mid-table. The visitors were favourites due to league position, but Elis alley can have some big scores so the start was key. Ham Boys started really well as Colin Rock hit two 9s but Caroline was tremendous as she hit a 14 and 17 which helped them to opening totals of 55,66 and a very decent start. Mandys Bell Boys were steady and consistent in the opening for them but Tom blitzed a 15 spare and a 9 which gave Bell Boys 64,63 and a 6 pin lead for them. Caroline continued her great night as another 17 spare was hit and she already was on 54 after 4 hands! Ham Boys were reliant on her though and 55,60 meant not as great scores as they would’ve hoped for. Steady scores from Bell Boys was the way they went here and fluency of 7s, 8s and 9s meant 62,59 and Bell Boys were 12 up and a big last 2 hands were needed from Ham Boys. The home team kept plugging away but 53,59 wasn’t the best and Mandys Bell Boys needed 101 to win the match. A special mention to Caroline who finished with a massive score of 70! Well done to her. Mandys played their best when it mattered and Nick was unbelievable as a 18 spare and a 14 spare was incredible and finished with 65 which was special in its own way along with Caroline’s 70! Mandy with an 11 spare gave added substance to the chase and 73,67 was the grand way to finish as Mandys Bell Boys won 10-2 by 40 pins to stay 7th. Another loss for Ham Boys means they stay 11th.
The penultimate week is upon us and the Division 1 title is now in Stoke WMC’s hands but despite Duke of York losing the last 2 their is a title to be won and there will be twists. The relegation battle is exciting as 3 teams now are in that fight as S Club 8, Nelsons Nomads and Pornstars all keep pushing to save themselves. Division 2 has Lamb & Larks promoted and will be champions if they win by any margin and the promotion battle rolls on between Crown Shanks and Split Pins. Thorns & Roses lose and that could be that for the Wooden Spoon.
Cheers All
Steve
