THE 2018 Slimbridge Summer Skittle League commenced with victories for the Alley Gartors, Bowmen, Geriatrics and The Dons.

Mark Price scored 80 as The Dons fought back from a 12-pin first half deficit to defeat reigning champions Snorts FC by 18-pins. His total included a 16-spare in the second leg before finishing with a 15-spare. For the latter Gareth Markey and Steve Arkwell both scored 62, the former hitting a 12-spare in his total whilst the latter recorded a 13-spare.

The Alley Gators, playing their first game having joined the league this season commenced with a 23-pin victory over the Cambridge Crew. Julian Powell commenced with an 11-spare for the winners as they won all bar two legs in the first half; Rose Millyard hitting 54 for the Cambridge crew, her total including a 9-spare. The second half was a tighter affair with both teams scoring 210-pins. Chris Philp hit 60 for the Alley gators whilst Dave Yeomans, who commenced with a 12-spare, scored 55 for the Cambridge Crew.

The Geriatrics opened up their account with a comfortable 61-pin victory over Slimbridge RBL. It was one way traffic for most of the game, Len Holder commencing with a 16-spare in his total of 55 as the winners opened up a 36-pin lead. Slimbridge RBL faired little better in the second half, despite Trudy Barnfield hitting 57, her total including a last leg 13-spare, however it was an 18-spare on the last leg from Nigel Winfield that saw the winners extend their advantage by a further 25-pins.

The Bowmen faced Shake Hands in their opening game and it was the former who took the victory, winning by 27-pins. In a dominant first half performance Becky Woodward scored 66; her total including a 15-spare; whilst Chas Vincent finished with a 12-spare and Kevin Thomas hit a 13-spare as the Bowmen opened up a 32-pin lead. The second half saw Shake Hands fight back winning the first two legs, however they lost the next two to find themselves a pin down on the half. With Robert Sims hitting 63 for Shake Hands they were able to win three of the final four legs to take the half by 5-pins; this despite Marlon Zoglowek hitting a 12-spare for the Bowmen.

Results: Slimbridge RBL 378 (9) (Trudy Barnfield 57), Geriatrics 439 (31) (Nigel Winfield 64);

Bowmen 440 (23) (Becky Woodward 66), Shake Hands 413 (17) (Robert Sims 63);

Cambridge Crew 403 (10) (Dave Yeomans 55), Alley Gators 426 (30) (Chris Philp 60);

Snorts FC 427 (14) (Gareth Markey, Steve Arkwell 62), The Dons 445 (26) (Mark Price 80);