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)