Old Pennies win again (From Penarth Times)

Old Pennies win again

By ALIMASTA

IF MY telephone calls are to be believed, it would appear that several teams in the Skittle League are struggling for players.

So if there is anyone out there who wants to play skittles on a regular basis, please make contact with League Secretary Graham Ashford, who would be pleased to pass on your details to team captains.

Or better still, come along to the delegate's meeting at the Conservative Club on Thursday. Your services would be welcome.

At the Old Penarthians Club, the Old Pennies are making a claim to be taken seriously as contenders in this season's race for the title, and needed to beat Breakaways to stay in touch with the division leaders.

For much of the evening it looked as if the Pennies would come second as the Breakaways won three of the five rolls, and with Jane Withey and Jenny Morgan each hitting a good looking 25.

However, it was a slump by the Breakaways who recorded a mere 41 on one roll which settled the match, and Old Pennies had won by five pins.

Jane Griffiths and Hazel Warman each scored 26 for the home side in the win which keeps them in joint first place in the division, although they have played a game more than their rivals.

Labour A are having their usual fight for survival at the foot of the men's premier division. Last week's visitors to the Labour Club were the newly promoted Pilot Regulars, who are enjoying their first term in the top flight.

In a very close contest, the lead was taken first by the home side, then the other, and each team held the lead twice on the opening four rolls, by which time Labour A were a single pin in arrears, with R Wenger and Mark Holdsworth topping the scores.

A final roll of 57 left the Regulars requiring to equal this score to take the points.

The Regulars showed why they are becoming so hard to beat when their top half scored an excellent 31 between them to set up the victory, which was achieved by a clear margin of two pins.

Consistent scoring by all of the Regulars on display secured the victory.

With The Blues losing for the first time this season, Penny Farthings had a chance to close the gap at the top of the ladies first division, if they could beat the uninspiring Swan Jokers.

Taking a lead of 18 pins after only two rolls, the Farthings had done enough to secure the points, although they made the mistake, which was almost fatal, of easing up.

The Jokers ended the evening strongly, winning the last three rolls, but could not quite make up for their slow start.

Penny Farthings had won by a couple of pins thanks to a top score on the night of 29 from Julie Griffiths. Lower Girls also won to tie with The Blues and the Farthings on 12 points at the top, with Allsorts a mere two points adrift.

Elsewhere, Clive Arms and D P Athletic B both won well to maintain their 100% record and the way they are going, we may have to wait until they clash in the first week in December to see which is to take a clear lead in the division.

In the ladies section, Mo Peake used all her experience as she managed to floor 35 pins as The Misfits won again, whilst Julie Jeffery's Breezers remain at the top of their division with a convincing win over Leo's Lassies.

And finally, a late news flash, Cogan Critters, Ladies Second Division have disbanded.