C&G Show Get First Win

A welcome first win of the season for C&G Show meant they climbed off the bottom of the table and be replaced by opponents, The Borough, still to register a win. C&G took a slender two pin lead after leg one and increased their advantage to 12 pins after leg two. The Borough then fought back in leg three to reduce the deficit to 10 pins but couldn’t maintain that impetus. They fell further behind after leg four and although recovering slightly in leg five, they could leave C&G only needing 43 pins for victory. C&G comfortably made that score and had Aaron Evans finishing with 41 (incl 14 stack), Angela Guest 37 (13 stack), and Dave Orton 35. The Borough had four players all making their top score of 31 – Michelle Court, Kim Workman,  Rhiannon Watson & Julian Workman.

League leaders, Bernie’s Bolts, could only pick up a couple points in their season’s first loss to Engineers. While those points extended their lead slightly at the summit, they will be disappointed not to have collected more points. They were trailing by only four pins after leg three and looked capable of winning the game but their reply to Engineers’ fourth leg score of 71 saw them instead slip 20 pins adrift. And then another low score in leg five left Engineers only 38 pins to win. Not surprising that this was comfortably achieved by Engineers who went on to also take the last leg. For Engineers, Brandon Kelso made 42 (12 stack), Ian Greenway 36, and Luke Saunders & Josh Kelso 35 each.  In reply for The Bolts, it was 35 apiece for Paul Blayney and Lewis McSweeney and 34 for Dean Lowe.

The game between Nomads and Jumbo Jet Set was yet another that swung decisively in leg four. Only seven pins, in favour of Jumbo Jets, had separated the teams after leg three and a close finish looked on the cards. Nomads then had a poor leg score of 55, and Jumbo Jets took full advantage by registering a 71 score to lead by 23 pins at that stage. Nomads were finally left a near impossible 90 pins to win and so it proved although they did come close to winning the last leg which would have given them an extra consolation point. Nomads’ top scorer with 38 was Eddie Upright, followed by 36 each for Alan Cummings and Andrew Coombes (incl 12 stack). Jumbo Jets best were Mick Stanton with 38 and Steve Wardle and Rob Quartly with 37 each.

Results 

C&G Show 305 (9pts) v The Borough 283 (2pts)

Bernie’s Bolts 305 pins (2pts) v Engineers 329 pins (9pts) 

Nomads 306 (2pts) v Jumbo Jet Set 333 (9pts)  

Lodge Farmers Survive Scare

In the game between last season’s top two, Lodge Farmers were cruising after four legs when holding a 15 pin lead against champions Engineers. But having scored well to that point, their last leg score of only 57 left Engineers seeking a difficult 73 to win which they so nearly made when being boosted by skipper Andy Clewlow’s 13 stack. It left Engineers’ last man wanting nine to tie and 10 to claim an unlikely victory – but he could only muster six. Farmers deserved their win given their early surge and had skipper Glyn Morley top scoring with 39. Also with 39 was Paul Cotton while Tim Jones made 36. Engineers’ Ian Greenway scored 44 (incl 13 stack), Clewlow finished with 36, and Craig Ellis 35.

Top of the current table are Bernie’s Bolts after four wins from their opening four games. Their win over C&G Show though was a bumpy ride. After leg three C&G Show held a six pin lead, only to then have a poor score of 48 in leg four to which Bolts replied with 65 to get their noses in front and lead by 11. Although C&G Show recovered in the last leg, their score was matched by The Bolts who ran out comfortable winners. Again scoring well for Bernie’s Bolts was Andy Gill-Smith with 34 with 33 each coming from John McSweeny and Mark Andrews. For C&G Show, Keith Edwards totalled 40, Paul Hollis 34, and Paul Clifton and Dave Orton 31 apiece.

First win of the season for Jumbo Jet Set in defeating The Borough still seeking their season’s opening win after four games. The Jets won the first three legs for a 20 pin lead. But as so often, put in a low score, this time in leg four, to which The Borough replied with an excellent 67 to reduce their deficit to just nine. The Borough’s fifth leg score left Jumbo Jets wanting only 53 to win which they made if rather unconvincingly. Another skipper, Len Quartly, top scored for Jumbo Jets with 36 while team mates Rich Johnston made 33, and Steve Wardle & Dennis Compton 32 each. The Borough’s best were Julian Workman with 34, Steve Court 32, and 31 each from Kim Workman and Rhiannon Watson.

Results

Lodge Farmers 332 pins (7.5pts) v Engineers 329 pins (3.5pts)

Bernie’s Bolts 308 (8pts) v C&G Show 296 (3pts)

Jumbo Jet Set 304 (9pts) v The Borough 294 (2pts)

Bolts and Farmers Early Pace Setters

Bernie’s Bolts have started the season with three straight wins. And the latest saw them comfortably beat Jumbo Jet Set to retain top spot. Jumbo Jets bowled first, and scored well with 68 pins, only to see The Bolts top that score. The Bolts then continued to score well in the next three legs, to which a deflated Jumbo Jets had no answer. So it was something of a surprise when Jumbo Jets took the last leg by a single pin, to earn a consolation point and deny The Bolts maximum points. In good form for The Bolts were Andy Gill-Smith making 44 (incl 15 stack), Mark Andrews 40 and John McSweeney with 36. For Jumbo Jets, Rob Quartly lead the way with 36, followed by Len Quartly 35 and Steve Wardle 32.

Tight on Bernie’s Bolts heels are Lodge Farmers, after also winning their first three games of the season. Farmers were unfazed by losing the first leg to C&G Show, and made consistent good scores to win each of  the remaining four legs to ease to victory. Skipper, Glyn Morley again shone for Farmers making 40 (12 stack) and Frank Morris and Sue Morris chipped in with 37 and 34 respectively. In what was their first game of the season C&G Show were a little rusty but had Paul Hollis make two stacks of 14 and 13 in a total of 41 while debutant, Neil Jay scored 38 and Angela Guest 37.

Nomads secured their season’s first win when consigning The Borough to a third straight loss. The Borough won two legs narrowly, but fell well adrift in the other three legs to allow Nomads to open up a fairly comfortable lead. For Nomads, Alan Cummings again top scored with 38, and Eddie Upright and Geoff Loat made 37 and 32 respectively. In reply, The Borough’s best were 33 pins each from Michelle Court and Steve Court, and 31 each from Tom Baker and Rhiannon Watson.

Results

Bernie’s Bolts 329 (9pts) v Jumbo Jet Set 297 (2pts)

Lodge Farmers 329 pins (9pts) v C&G Show 313 pins (2pts)

Nomads 301 (8pts) v The Borough 283 (3pts)

Engineers Enjoy Blistering Start

After the first two weeks of the season Bernie’s Bolts lead the way, but who will stop last year’s champions, Engineers, lifting the trophy again?

In their opening game, Engineers were in blistering form totalling 373 pins, easily the highest total in very many years. Leading the way were Jo Kelso and Maurice Wroe making 44 each incl a 15 stack for Kelso and a 14 stack for Wroe. Close behind was Craig Sears with 40 (incl 16 stack). Opponents, Jumbo Jet Set, also made a good score, one that would win many games, but by taking the first leg narrowly  just ‘poked the bear’ into overdrive. Best for Jumbo Jets were Dave Marriott with 41 (12 stack), Len Quartly 36, and Mike Smeed (11 stack) & Mick Stanton 34 each.

Current leaders, Bernie’s Bolts. could afford a last leg hiccup in their opening game as they completed a straightforward win over Nomads on the back of Craig McSweeney scoring 36 and Mark Andrews & Dean Lowe 35 each. Nomads’ best response came from Alan Cummings 40 (13 stack), Jordan Bunn 36 (13 stack), James Marshall 35 (11 stack), and Andrew Coombes also 35.

In their second game, the Bolts lost the first two legs to The Borough, before turning the game on its head to run out comfortable winners. Craig McSweeney again top scored with 40 (13 stack), while there were 37 each for Jess Andrews and Dan Goodman (incl 17 stack). Plucky Borough, playing a man short, were unable to halt Bolts’ late winning surge but had Julian Workman making 37 (11 stack),  Steve Court 35, and Tom Baker 33 (14 stack).

That loss by The Borough, was on the back of the previous week’s loss, in a tight game against last year’s league runners-up, Lodge Farmers. Borough’s Tom Baker and Steve Court again scored well making 36 and 33 respectively and were well supported by Kim Workman and Scott Few with 32 each. Farmers’ best were Glyn Morley with 38 (11 stack), and 34 each from Sue Morris and Rachel Morris.

Glyn Morley’s good early form continued in Farmers’ second game when he made 39 (15 stack), with Frank Morris and Lynne Long chipping in with 37 and 35 respectively. Those scores helped secure a comfortable win over Nomads for whom Alan Cummings again top scored with 34, Graham Hanley 33, and Eddie Upright & David Maule 31 each.

Results

The Borough 297 pins (2.5pts) v Lodge Farmers 304 pins (7.5pts)

Bernie’s Bolts 317 (9pts) v Nomads 307 (2pts)

The Borough 290 (3pts) (9 players) v Bernie’s Bolts 304 (8pts) (9 players) & 333 (10 players)

Engineers 373 (9pts) v Jumbo Jet Set 329 (2pts)

Nomads 292 (2pts) v Lodge Farmers 325 (9pts)

Engineers Take League Title

Needing to collect five points to be declared league champions, Engineers, playing their last game of the season, were undaunted by Bernie’s Bolts good first leg score of 71 to top it by four pins before increasing that advantage to seven pins after completion of leg two. Leg three then proved decisive as Engineers racked up an impressive 88 pin winning leg to open up a 32 pin lead. Having won three legs for three points, and with that massive pin lead, Engineers then went off the boil. They promptly lost leg four, but only by a single pin but still held a near unassailable 31 pin lead.

And when Bernie’s Bolts made a 71 pin last leg score, that left Engineers wanting only 41 pins for victory. Cock-a-hoop, Engineers were now totally relaxed and enjoyed their last leg, and despite only scoring 55, comfortably reached their 41 pin target to take the title by collecting a further five points for winning the game.

Top scoring for Engineers was Andy Clewlow with 40, including an 18 pin stack in leg three, made more notable by his third ball taking all nine pins (known as a ‘flopper’). Mark Ganderton made 39 and Graham Hingley & Jo Kelso 36 each. For The Bolts, Mark Andrews made 46 (incl 15 stack); John McSweeney 36; and Dan Goodman 33.

Engineers Mark Ganderton finished the season top of the aggregate scoring list with 636 pins and also top of the ‘Best 12’ scores with an average of 38.33.

Bernie’s Bolts also featured in the remaining game of the season against C&G Show. After leg two, each team had won a leg with The Bolts holding a slender one pin lead which they stretched to seven after winning leg three. C&G Show’s low fourth leg score then allowed The Bolts to extend their lead to 25 pins to effectively win the game at that stage. C&G Show did at least take leg five but only by a single pin as they slumped to another loss.

In this last game, Dan Goodman made 38 (incl 13 stack); Mark Andrews also 38; and Mark West 36 for The Bolts, while best for C&G Show were Angela Guest 38 (incl 15 stack); Aaron Evans 35; and Andy Maine 34.

Consolation for C&G Show, who will hoping for better results next season, is that Angela Guest topped the ladies aggregate scoring list with 609 pins and topped the ladies ‘Best 12’ averages (35.75).

Engineers 346 (8pts) v Bernie’s Bolts 331 (3pts)

Bernie’s Bolts 327 (8pts) v C&G Show 303 (3pts)

Lodge Farmers Edge Top

Despite collecting maximum points against The Borough, Lodge Farmers now top the table by just three points from Engineers who have a game in hand and remain favourites to take the league title.

The Borough started brightly with an eye catching first leg score of 69 pins, but then found Lodge Farmers in good form to take the leg by three pins, thanks largely to a 13 pin stack by Chris Prichard. Lodge Farmers then scored a modest 62 pins in leg two but The Borough couldn’t take advantage and slipped further adrift when replying with only 53 pins. The Borough never recovered and only managed low scores over the next three legs while Lodge Farmers went from strength to strength to run out comfortable winners.  For the winners, Chris Prichard ended with 40; Richard Long 38 (incl 13 stack); and Jamie McGill 37. Best for The Borough were Julian Workman with 37; Rhiannon Mosely 34; and Charlie Few 33.

In the other game of the week, C&G Show just failed to take leg one against Jumbo Jet Set – losing it by just one pin. And a modest second leg score by C&G Show enabled Jumbo Jets to open up a 12 pin leg score before extending that lead to 28 pins after leg three. C&G Show reduced their arrears to 17 pins by winning leg four but there the fight back ended. Jumbo Jets had a good last leg score of 68 pins to leave their opponents wanting  86 pins to win, but which proved to be well out of reach. Mick Stanton for Jumbo Jets scored 40 (incl 13 stack); Darren Summers 38; and Dave Badsey 34. C&G Show had best scores from Aaron Evans 36 and Paul Fisher & Bryan Smith 34 each.

Lodge Farmers 335 (10pts) v The Borough 288 (1pt)

C&G Show 285 (2pts) v Jumbo Jet Set 313 (9pts)

With the league season finishing soon, attention is also turning to individual trophies up for grabs.  The season’s  leading aggregate scorers with one game to play (**two games to play) are:

Tim Jones (Lodge Farmers) 597

Mick Stanton (Jumbo Jets) 585

Glyn Morley (Lodge Farmers) 582

Alan Cummings (Nomads ) 581

Mac Eaton (Nomads) 570

Paul Blayney (Bernie’s Bolts) 556**

Andy Clewlow (Engineers) 552**

Scott Few (The Borough) 548

Rachel Morris (Lodge Farmers) 540

Angela Guest (C&G Show) 535**

And players leading the season’s ‘best 12’ scores, with one game to play (**two games left) are

Mark Ganderton (Engineers) 451**  

Mac Eaton (Nomads) 451

Tim Jones (Lodge Farmers) 448

Paul Blaynee ( Bernie’s Bolts) 440**

Mick Stanton (Jumbo Jets) 439

Scott Few (The Borough) 428

Rachel Morris (Lodge Farmers) 422

Angela Guest (C&G Show) 419**

Aaron Evans (C&G Show) 419**

Lodge Farmers take Triples Crown

The final of the Triples Competition saw Lodge Farmers A team fight back against Jumbo Jet Set A to lift the Chris Charlesworth Cup.

The evening had started with two quarter final groups from which only the top two teams in each group would qualify for the knockout semi finals.

In the group of five teams, Lodge Farmers A (Jamie McGill, Tim Jones & Glyn Morley) and The Borough A (Andy Taylor, Scott Few & Charlie Few) quickly opened up a gap and at the completion of leg three were very comfortably placed. Their leg four scores then seemed to cement their qualification only for Jumbo Jet Set A (Rob Quartly, Rich Johnston & Mick Stanton) to go second with a bumper leg score of 30 of which Rob Quartly made a 16 stack incl a first ball nine. In the final leg Lodge Farmers A again scored well to top the group but The Borough A stumbled leaving Jumbo Jets A wanting only 15 to claim a semi final place which they did with ease. Top scorers with 38 were Rob Quartly and Tim Jones (incl 10 stack), Andy Taylor 35 (in 11 stack).  And from the other two teams not qualifying, Wendy Coombs of Nomads B made 33 and Len Quartly 30 for Jumbo Jets B.

The other quarter final group was always very close, exciting and tense with the four teams taking it in turns to top the group. But after the fifth leg only two pins separated the four teams but Lodge Farmers B (Frank, Sue & Rachel Morris) qualified with 99 pins leaving Engineers B (Craig Sears, Rob Baker & Graham Hingley) and Engineers A (Luke Saunders, Ian Greenway & Maurice Guns) tied second with 98 pins to set up a sudden death play off. Sears then made seven to which Saunders replied with a qualifying 13 stack for his team. Top scorers were Craig Sears with 38, Frank Morris 37, Luke Saunders 36 while Alan Cummings & Mac Eaton, both Nomads A, scored 35 each in a team total of 97 pins.

In the first semi-final, Jumbo Jets A lead throughout against Lodge Farmers B who left their opponents wanting only 15 to progress to the final which was managed with ease. For Jumbo Jets A, Rob Quartly made 39, Rich Johnston 38 (incl 11 stack) & Mick Stanton 33 while Lodge Farmers B,  Sue Morris scored 35 (incl 14 stack), and Rachel & Frank Morris 34 each.

The other semi was also straightforward – until the last leg. Engineers B (Luke Saunders, Ian Greenway & Maurice Wroe) were always ahead over the first four legs. And when scoring 19 in their last leg they looked favourites to win when leaving opponents, Lodge Farmers A, a tricky 23 pins to reach the final. Their trio of Jamie McGill, Tim Jones & Glyn Morley though scored 24 to progress. Luke Saunders, Ian Greenway & Maurice Wroe scored 35, 34 & 30 respectively and Tim Jones, Glyn Morley & Jamie McGill 38, 36 and 27 respectively.

In the final, Jumbo Jets A were well in control after the first two legs, but their poor third leg score allowed Lodge Farmers A to level matters after completion of the leg. Jumbo Jets A then scored well in leg four in posting 23 pins only for Jamie McGill to make a 12 stack out of a team total of 28 in leg four and build a five pin advantage for Lodge Farmers A. And they needed that advantage when they could make just 17 pins in their last leg. It meant Jumbo Jets A wanted an exacting 23 pins to win, and it proved out of reach as they finished with just 19 of them. Individual scores were Jamie McGill 36, Tim Jones 34 & Glyn Morley 32 for the trophy winners and Rich Johnston 36 and Rob Quartly & Mick Stanton 30 apiece for the runners up.

Redditch Triples K/O Underway

The League season took a back seat as the Triples K/O took centre stage when the first round group stages were held. The top three in each group would progress to the final stages.

At South Redditch Social Club, the Jumbo Jets ‘A’ team trio of Rich Johnston, Rob Quartly and Mick Stanton qualified comfortably with a total of 128 pins with Johnston making 50 (incl 13 stack) and Quartly 40 (10 stack). Close behind with 123 pins were Tim Jones, and Jamie McGill , both with 42 pins, and Glyn Morley for Lodge Farmers ‘A’. Three teams vied for the last qualifying spot and only five pins separated them going into the last leg. Jumbo Jets ‘B’ team of Dan Hill, Dave Marriott and Len Quartly then set the C&G ‘A’ team 27 pins to tie to set up a sudden death play off. But their trio of Rich Fisher, Paul Hollis and Dave Charlesworth missed by a whisker scoring 26. And it was disappointment too for the C&G ‘B’ team of Jay Anon, Bryan Smith and Keith Edwards who, needing 24 to qualify, had a poor last leg score and finished bottom of the group.

The result of the group at Lodge Park Social Club was more clear cut with Lodge Farmers ‘B’ team coming out on top by notching 127 pins when the Morris family of Frank, Sue and Rachel all made 40 or more scores. The second qualifying place went to Nomads ‘B’ of Andrew Coombes, Wendy Coombes and Jordan Bunn totalling 112 pins of which Andrew Coombes contributed 48. Engineers ‘A’ took the third place with 111 pins with Ian Greenway making 43 and well supported by Maurice Wroe and Luke Saunders. Some way adrift from qualifying were Lodge Farmers ‘C’ team of Richard Long, (scoring 40) and Lynne Long and Chris Pritchard, while Nomads ‘C’ team of Phil Jones, Jim Child and Gordon Povey had ‘one of those games’ when nothing went right in mustering only 89 pins.

A late withdrawal of one triples team meant only one team would fail to qualify from the Redditch Borough Social Club group. And it needed a bowl off between Nomads ‘A’ and Bernie’s Bolts ‘A’, both ending with 105 pins, to decide the last qualifier. The Bolts’ Mark West started the sudden death with a seven to which Nomads’ James Marshall replied with six. Second man for Bolts, Jim Williamson, also made seven which Mac Eaton of Nomads made light work of by scoring a 13 stack to put Nomads in the driving seat. Undaunted Bolts third player, Andy Gill-Smith then made a 12 stack to leave Nomads’ Alan Cummings needing, and getting, the eight pins to qualify. And the first two qualifiers? They were Engineers ‘B’ of Graham Hingley, Rob Baker & Andy Clewlow each scoring 40 or more in a team total of 124, and The Borough ‘A’ of Scott Few making 44,  Charlie Few scoring 41 and Tom Baker in a total of  116 pins.

Engineers Consolidate at the Top

With two very winnable games each to go, it looks likely that the league title will go to the current leaders Engineers to deny Lodge Farmers a first championship. But each have to play The Borough who could yet have a big say about which of their opponents takes the title.

And The Borough warmed up for the challenges with an unexpected, but welcome, win over Bernie’s Bolts. The Borough won the first two legs for an eleven pin lead before Bernie’s Bolts took legs three and four to be only seven pins adrift. The Borough then posted a 60 pin last leg score to leave The Bolts wanting a tricky 68 for victory which they never looked likely to make. The Borough’s top scorers were Sarah Edwards with 36 (incl 13 stack); Tom Baker also with 36; and Steve Court with 33. For The Bolts, Craig McSweeney made 36; Lewis McSweeney 34; and a third McSweeney, John, 31.

Engineers were always on top against Jumbo Jet Set who only got going when taking leg five for a consolation point. The first four legs went comfortably to Engineers who effectively won the game by opening a 22 pin lead after leg three before increasing that lead to 27 pins after leg four. Leading the way for the winners were Rob Baker with 39 (incl 10 stack) and 38 each from Mark Ganderton and Graham Hingley. Jumbo Jets replied with Steve Wardle making 40 (13 stack); Dave Marriott 37; and Dan Hill with 36 (13 stack).

Meanwhile, Lodge Farmers returned to form in beating Nomads but were disappointed not to take maximum points to close the gap on Engineers. Lodge Farmers won the first two legs to lead by 15 pins, before Nomads took the next two legs to reduce the deficit to ten pins. Nomads recovery was short lived though when they could only mange a modest last leg score to leave Farmers wanting just 51 to win which they easily achieved when making this game’s highest leg score of 76. Starring for Farmers were Glyn Morley with 45 (13 stack); Andy Rumble 42; and Frank Morris 36. Best for Nomads came from Jim Child scoring 38 and 35 apiece from Mac Eaton and Alan Cummings.

The Borough 306 (8pts) v Bernie’s Bolts 298 (3pts)

Jumbo Jet Set 312 (2pts) v Engineers 330 (9pts)

Lodge Farmers 345 (8pts) v Nomads 319 (3pts)

Engineers Overturn Lodge Farmers

The top of the table clash ended with Engineers beating nearest rivals Lodge Farmers to open up what could be a decisive gap with just three games left for each team.

In four of the five legs, there was little to choose between the sides with the biggest winning leg margin being just three pins as the teams won two legs each. It was leg two though which was Lodge Farmers undoing when, having made a below par score of 59, Engineers replied with 75. That opened up a 15 pin advantage for Engineers who were then able to match their opponents for the rest of the game and see them top the league table by six points. Scores of 38 each from Luke Saunders and Brandon Kelso, and 37 from Craig Sears were recorded for Engineers, while disappointed Lodge Farmers had Rachel Morris, Glyn Morley & Tim Jones making 36, 35, & 34 respectively.

After beating Lodge Farmers the previous week with a good pin total, Bernie’s Bolts loss to Jumbo Jets was surprising especially as The Jets had struggled to score well despite winning their last three games. So for Jets this was a return to form notching their highest match score of the season and a fourth consecutive win. Up by eight pins after leg one, they took each of the next three legs for a 34 pin lead at that stage. Jets only blip was a poor last leg score but it still left The Bolts wanting 90 pins for victory. The Bolts did win that leg for a consolation point but were unable to chase down those 90 pins. Leading the way for Jumbo Jets were Rob Quartly with 40 (incl 13 stack), Darren Summers 39 (13 stack), & Liz Rowberry 36. For The Bolts, Paul Blayney made 38, Andy Gill-Smith 35, and Dan Goodman & Craig McSweeney 33 apiece.

Nomads got back on the winning track with a comfortable success against C&G Show. Both teams scored 58 pins in leg one to share the one point on offer but that was the best it got for C&G Show. Nomads took legs two and three narrowly to lead by just eight pins, and when C&G Show made a good fourth leg score of 63, topped that with a 72 pin total to build a game winning 17 pin lead. Nomads last leg score of 68 left their opponents wanting 86 to win, a total which proved well out of reach. Nomads were lead home by Mac Eaton with 41 pins, Alan Cummings 38 and Andrew Coombes 35. For luckless C&G Show, best were Dave Orton making 33 and 32 each from Angela Guest and Aaron Evans.

Results

Engineers 333 (8pts) v Lodge Farmers 316 (3pts)

Jumbo Jet Set 334 (9pts) v Bernie’s Bolts 315 (2pts)

Nomads 326 (9.5pts) v C&G Show 296 (1.5pts)