The Cheltenham Skittles League came to a climax with 3 weeks of the Annual Front Pin competition. The competition now in it's 30th year and this year 112 mens teams took part and 55 ladies teams playing at the Civil Service Club. Finals night took place with a packed club house with the cream of the skittle league players rising to the top. This year £1300.00p was raised for the James Hopkins Trust once again and this gave us a grand total to date of £29,897.12p
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The evening started with the Ladies Quarter finals round and first to play was Jolene Clarke 2014 champion against Ali Cardoza of the Wheatsheaf Ladies the 1993 champion. Poor start by Jolene only scoring 10 after 3 hands and going into the 4th hand 8 pins down on the game. A beaver by Ali in the 4th and a 7 scored by Jolene brought her back into contention and now only 1 pin down on the game. Jolene scored a 9 in the 5th to put pressure back on Ali, Ali scored 7 so she now became the one 1 down going into the last hand. Both players floored 7 so Jolene went through to the Semi Finals.33-32
Second match was between Debbie Wood of the Wanderers and Joan Billett
2013 and this was one of the matches of the evening with Debbie going through 55-39 and the way Debbie was playing made her firm favourite for the title with a 16 spare which included a flattener. 55-39
Next up was Nicky Roberts of the Ravin' Banshees against Julie Meredith of the Ducklings. Poor start by both girls but they picked up their game in the second hand, still early days. Julie lost her form in the 3rd and 4th hands and was going into the last 17 pins down. Nicky continued to play well scoring 35 to take her through to the next round
35-14
Anita Pulley of Smiths Beez against Vie Haluscakova of the HICCUPS. All level going into the 3rd hand. Anita only scored 2 in the 3rd and Vie an 8 to give her a 6 pin lead into the second half. Going into the last hand Vie was 5 pins ahead then both players scored a 6 so Vie the valiant one going through to the semi finals. 35-30
Then the Men had their chance to show what they could do and first up was Phil Edge the 2011 champion against Tim Masling 2013 champion a game that most would consider to be a final with 2 of the top players. A 16 spare by Phil in the 3rd hand gave him a 12 pin buffer into the second half. Phil failed to score in the 4th and Tim floored a 9 to bring him within 3 pins of Phil. Going into the last hand Phil was 4 pins ahead he then put in an 11 spare which gave his passage into the semi finals. 50-43
Stewart Wilsdon of the Golden Miller and Steve Voyce of the Rolling Pins played a high scoring game .Good skittling by both players with just 2 pins between them going into the second half - Steve being the one in front. Stewart scored a 9 in the 4th and Steve a 6 to put him 1 pin down going into the 5th. Stewart scored 7 so Steve needed 8 to level, this he did so all level going into the last hand and all to play for. Stewart scored 9 to give him 47 and Steve a 6 so bowing out for this year. 47-44
Martin Southgate of the Tabards and Will Sims of the Cheltenham Bus Club also played a high scoring game with both players getting over 40. Martin floored a spare in the second hand but failed to hit with the 3rd ball but it was enough to keep him in contention being just 1 pin down going into the 3rd hand. Will continued his lead and was 4 pins ahead going into the 5th. Martin was going into the last hand with 33 so Will needed 4 to level, he was up to the mark and scored 7 to give him a 3 pin lead going into the last hand. Martin scored 9 leaving Will needing 7 to win, he was up to the challenge and scored 7 to go through 1 pin ahead. 43-42
Cain Thomas of the Double Barrel played David Ballinger of the Staverton Flyers .They were 2 of the youngest players playing this year. Good start by David going 9 pins ahead into the 3rd hand. Cain took 2 pins back in the 3rd so was chipping away. Cain scored 4 but David scored an 8 to now give him an 11 pin lead going into the 5th hand. Cain scored a 13 spare in the 5th leaving David needing 2 to level. David scored 5 taking him through to the semi finals 40-38
LADIES SEMI FINALS
Jolene Clarke 2014 Champion played Debbie Wood of the Wanderers .Debbie took the lead after 2 hand being 4 pins ahead. Debbie continued well into the 4th hand flooring a 16 spare giving her a 16 pin buffer into the 5th hand. Jolene pulled back pins in the 5th hand but was still 9 pins down going into the last Debbie added to her hoard and finished with a spectacular 49, so Jolene bowing out for this year.
49-38
Nicky Roberts of the Ravin' Banshees was against Vie Haluscakova. Only 1 pin between them after 2 hands with Nicky being the one ahead. Vie lost her touch in the 2nd and 3rd hand and went 8 pins down into the second half. Vie just could not find her previous form and bowed out for this year with Nicky going through to the final
30-17.
MENS SEMI FINALS
Phil Edge 2011 Champion was up against Stewart Wilsdon of the Golden Miller. Phil couldn’t find his form in the first 2 hands and Stewart went 7 pins ahead. Phil still struggled in the 3rd hand scoring just 2 so Stewart forged ahead into the second half with a 13 pin lead. Phil pulled 1 pin back in the 4th hand. Going into the last hand Stewart was 14 pins ahead and so it stayed with Stewart entering the final. 41-38.
Will Sims of the Cheltenham Bus Club played David Ballinger of the Staverton Flyers. David started skittling superbly going into the 3rd hand 9 pin ahead. Will failed to score in the 3rd hand leaving the way open for David who scored 8 to give him a 17 pin lead into the second half. David did not let go and skittled well to go into the final.
45-23.
LADIES FINAL
Debbie Wood of the Wanderers and Nicky Roberts of Rav' Banshees both had a slow start in the first hand with Nicky going 4 ahead, Debbie scored 8 in the second and Nicky a 4 to go all level into the 3rd hand. Debbie went 1 ahead into the second half. Debbie failed to score in the 4th hand and Nicky a 2 to take her 1 pin ahead into the 5th hand. Debbie scored 8 leaving Nicky 8 to win which she did getting the last pin with her last ball to become this years champion. 25-24 nerves playing it part in the game.
MENS FINAL
Stewart Wilsdon of the Golden Miller was to play against the youngest player left in the competition in David Ballinger. David is the son of Terry Ballinger the front pin champion of 1999 and 2001 and nephew of Peter Ballinger front pin champion of 1992-1995 and 1996..Both players started well with Stewart being 4 pins ahead going into the 3rd hand. Stewart scored 9 leaving David on catch up, David unfortunately scored 1 to leave him 12 pins down going into the second half. Stewart scored 1 in the 4th giving David chance to catch up, David scored 8 to leave him just 4 pins down on the game. Stewart scored 7 leaving David needing 11 to level; David scored 3 so runner up for 2015 and Stewart of the Golden Miller being this years Champion