LEADERS Alcester Nomads started the latest Swan Studley Skittles League games with a good win against Alley Cats.
Nomads took the first two legs narrowly before opening up a big lead after leg three and, although Alley Cats briefly threatened to make the game a closer affair, they were unable to disrupt Nomads’ progress.
Alan Cummings made another big score of 43 for Nomads (15-stack), while Alan Spreckley was also on song with 40 (13-stack) and Anne Upright (36-stack).
There were two 36s for Alley Cats by Sam Billyard (15-stack) and Pete Sollis, whilst Anne O’Connor scored 32.
Later in the week, Maudslay steadily pulled away from Well Developed to win comfortably and retain second spot.
Well Developed were unable to keep up their recent good form and were 16 pins adrift after leg two and never looked likely to upset Maudslay, who again produced a large team total.
Maudslay’s Tom Roberts made 38 and Dean Watson and Keith Fryer 37 apiece. Well Developed’s Pauline Withers and Martin Brennan scored 34 each and there was 32 each from Liz Hindson and Ron Skidmore.
Engineers consolidated third spot as they made their season’s highest team total, thanks largely to 43 (15-stack) from Mark Ganderton, 38 (13 and 12 stacks) from Dennis Compton and 36 from John Bool.
Engineers raced into a big early lead and opponents Swan had no answer, although they did take leg four for a consolation point. Swan’s best came from Dave Maule 35 and 34s from Sally Racki and Bob Haycock.
It is now four consecutive wins for Team BG as they sentenced opponents Lodge Farmers to a fourth straight loss.
Lodge Farmers had taken the first leg by three pins but this advantage evaporated as Team BG made their season’s highest leg score of 86 in leg two to lead by 17 pins.
For the winners, Rob Baker scored 39 (15-stack), Harry Baker 38 and Lin Dyer (11-stack), Margaret Sanders and Mary Withers 34 each.
Lodge Farmers fought back over the last two legs to collect valuable points to keep in touch with other mid-table teams as Jason Kirk and Andrew Rumble made 36 each and Alex Cull and Tim Jones 34 each.
Jumbo Jet Set remain hopeful of a high finish after taking all ten points in a walkover against Mixtures.
Results: Alley Cats 1 point (294 pins) Alcester Nomads 10 (321); Engineers 9 (352) Swan 2 (311); Lodge Farmers 3.5 (320) Team BG 7.5 (335); Maudslay 10 (342) Well Developed 1 (297); Mixtures 0 Jumbo Jet Set 10 (walkover).
