Slimbridge Summer Skittle League

Unknowns: 416 (2) (Pete Hall 64), Slimbridge RBL: 429 (4) (Trudy Barnfield 60)

TOP MET BOTTOM in week seven of the Slimbridge Summer Skittle League as the Unknowns met Slimbridge RBL. It was the latter that surprised their high flying opponents to pick up their first win of the season.

The eventual winners got off to a strong start leading after two legs despite a 12-spare from Pete Hall, who went on to score 64 for the Unknowns.

However, the scores were level after the next leg and with two legs remaining in the first half Slimbrdge RBL held a slender 2-pin advantage.

However, the Unknowns finished strongly whilst Slimbridge RVL faded; allowing the former table toppers to win the game by 13-pins.

The second half saw Slimbridge RBL take control from the start. Sid Lord hit a 9-spare in the second leg; whilst Trudy Barnfield scored 60 as the eventual winners quickly eroded the lead held by the Unknowns.

After six legs they lead the half by 33-pins; a 20-pin advantage on the game, however in the final two legs the Unknowns managed to claw back some of the deficit; but it was not enough as Slimbridge RBL won the half by 26-pins to claim a 13-pin victory.

Snorts FC: 434 (6)(Peter Hill 59), Bowmen: 419 (0) (Becky Woodward, Gloria Cross 55)

The in form Bowmen met Snorts FC and in a close game it was the latter who claimed maximum points to return to the top of the table.

The Bowmen started off strongly taking a 10-pin first leg advantage. Neil Tocknell hit a 12-spare for the winners whilst Peter Hill scored 59 as it looked as if Snorts FC would win comfortably.

However with Chas Vincent hitting an 11-spare for the Bowmen and Becky Woodward and Gloria Cross both scoring 55 the first half was a close affair, with Snorts FC holding a slender 5-pin advantage going into the final leg.

Hitting a total of 27 left the Bowmen needing 33 for the half, this they were unable to achieve as they fell 10-pins short to lose the half by 9-pins.

The second half followed a similar patter as the Bowmen again lead after the first leg, this time by 5-pins. After four legs Snorts FC held an 8-pin advantage and with Peter Clutterbuck hitting an 11-spare in the sixth legs they were able to retain their lead, despite dropping pins in the final two legs to eventually take the half by 6-pins and win the game by 15-pins.

Geriatrics: 429 (2) (Keith O’Connor 65) lost to The Dons: 450 (4) (Mark Stamp, Tony Niblett 65)

The Geriatrics slipped to third after a 21-pin loss against The Dons. The former started stronger Keith O Connor hitting a 14-spare in his total of 65 as they led by 12-pins after six legs.

Mark Stamp also hit 65 for The Dons as they pulled back 3-pins in the seventh leg however they were only able to match their opponents in the final leg to trail by 9-pins.

The second half saw a change if fortunes as a strong third leg; in which Darren Noble hit a 13-spare; saw The Dons lead the second half by 17-pins to lead on the game.

They extended their advantage in the fifth leg, whilst in sixth leg another 13-spare, this time by Tony Niblett of The Dons, who also scored 65, saw the eventual winners extend their second half advantage to 25-pins.

The game was effectively won on the seventh leg as The Dons took advantage of a low total from the Geriatrics, and despite losing a few pins in the final leg won the second half by 30-pins to win the game by 21-pins.

Shake Hands: 447 (6) (Les Pockock 64) beat Cambridge Crew: 421 (0) (Rob Wychard 60)

Shake Hands moved to within two points of third placed Geriatrics after taking maximum points in a 26-pin victory over Cambridge Crew.

Les Pocock hit 64 for the winners, finishing with an 11-spare, as Shake Hands opened up a 20-pin first half advantage.

The second half initially saw the Cambridge Crew fight their way back into the game leading by 12-pins after 4-legs; however, Shake Hands pulled back 10-pins in the next leg and drew level by the sixth leg.

The final two legs saw Shake Hands keep their nerve, and despite Rob Witched hitting 60 for the Cambridge Crew, they took the half by 6-pins.