13/09/2026
SKITTLE TALK - WEEK 1
GAME OF THE WEEK
Despite the W's and reigning champions, Social, playing out a classic at the Tavern - which saw the last 3 on for Social need 32 to win and hit 36 - it's last year's runners up, Rock Star Army, who feature in the curtain raiser's skittle talk as we head to their opening fixture at Wyke Workies to take on Park Street Stars.
The away side started well and made the most of a slow starting Stars side as Rock Star Army raced into a 21 pin lead after 3. Jason Seale opening the game up with a 14 box with the first 3 balls of the season.
However, a shakey 4th hand (totaling 50) for the Army left the door wide open for the hosts to mount a comeback. The home side found some form right at the perfect time and slowly chipped away the deficit, Ben Sibley's 13 helping things along nicely.
The Army only managed to hit 62 as their highest hand to finish off their night, young Cory Pendry helping himself to a 12 stick up for good measure, and the Park Street Stars continued improving all night. With the Rock outfit on first, Jason Pring's boys needed 75 to tie or 76 to nick it. They hadn't looked likely all night and the Army surely must have thought they'd done enough.
Throw the script out the window though because it isn't over till the last ball is thrown! The Park Street Stars shone brightly when the pressure was on and threw in an inspired last hand with every player hitting 8 or more - Captain, Jason Pring, contributing a well-timed 15 box when his team needed it the most.
Anchorman, Ryan Stone, was left needing a 9 to win it. You could cut the tension with a knife. Only managing 8 in a valiant effort, both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils. You can't help but feel that the home side will be happier though.
PARK STREET STARS 414 VS 414 ROCK STAR ARMY
DIVISION 1
Highest Score: Nigel Holmes, 70 at Wyke Workies
Highest Hand: 78 - Wyke Social at the Chapelhay Tavern
It was an interesting opening week in Division 1, most teams not quite reaching the dizzying heights of their usual scores (except the 69ers) and I bet there are some sore hands and knees over the weekend. As the weeks tick on by and the eyes get in, I'm sure we'll be back to business as usual.
With that though, it was an impressive start for Lucky Barstars as they were pushed all the way by the Red Barrels - winning by 5 and notching an impressive 418 on their first game. Kieran McGuinness and Martin Thomas sharing the top score with 58 each. Speaking of close games, downstairs in the same venue, Do-Nuts claimed their opening day 2 points by 2 pins, Dave Townsend's 58 helping his side beat the Whistlers in a game that saw neither team break 400.
At Wyke Workies, Leg Irons were well beaten by Division newcomers, 69ers, who hit a monster 455 to win by 50 - continuing on their fantastic achievements from last season. At the same venue, Park Street Stars and Rock Star Army nabbed a point each (see game of the week).
Elsewhere, the Charmers ran out 18 pin winners in the opening game of Divison 1 on Wednesday night as they won a Chapel Derby vs the Wobblers. Dave Copp starting his season with a bang, scoring 67 with back to back stick ups along the way. Also at the Chapel, a tasty match up between W's and Wyke Social saw the reigning Champions hit 67 in their final hand to win by 5.
Finally, Stingers won at the Belvedere by 13 as the Shamrocks struggled to get going on opening day. Xavier Brindley skittled well to hit top score with 57.
DIVISION 2
Highest Score: Carl Sargent (Skittler of the Week), 73 at The Rock.
Highest Hand: Pin Ups, 79 at The Rock
I've earmarked Division 2 to be a bit like the Championship in football this year. Fiercely competitive, anyone can beat anyone and so many teams that - come season end - could well find themselves right up there this season.
Let's start with the Division newcomers shall we? Killing two birds with one stone, The Rock All Stars - who really are ones to watch - welcomed relegated side, Hardy's Admirals. A fixture that, last season, would have seen these teams 2 divisions apart. The All Stars continued on their impressive, trailblazing form as they claimed another huge win by 6 - Michael Wakeham topping the pack with 71, including back to back 15's.
Also at the Rock, fellow relegated side and former Division 1 royalty, Pin Ups, lit the alley up to start the season, smashing Shipmates by 62 - Carl Sargent earning his first skittler of the week of the season, with 73.
Coming up with the All Stars, Diamonds opened up their campaign in Divison 2 well, holding the Zulus to a draw at the Admiral Hardy. They'll be kicking themselves mind, as they threw away a 24 pin lead from hand 3. Candy Myatt (who else!) top scoring with 64, including a lovely 17 box, for the Diamonds and C.CRABB knocking 65 down for the Zulus. 427 each!
At the Chapelhay, Blues got off to a good start, beating Pinball Wizards by 42 (despite Lexie Ginifer's best efforts with 59). Andy Makin proved his quality with 65, again, featuring a 17 box for the hosts.
Over on Portland, The Legionaires started well on what could arguably be the toughest alley in the league this season, Portland Social. 399 pins and a top score for Chrisy Squibb (58) was enough to comfortably dispatch Likely Lads by 38.
Unfortunately, despite it being the opening weekend, there was already a walkover this week as Hardy's Hitmen couldn't raise a side, awarding the 2 points to Spitroast Eagles.
Keep your eye on this Division. I'm expecting a roller coaster.
DIVISION 3
Highest Score: Karen Coombs, 65 at Wyke Social
Highest Hand: Allsorts, 74 at Wyke Social
Divison 3 will be another interesting Divison this year and I imagine United will be crossing everything that it's their year this year without any newly-formed super teams starting out and winning pretty much every game. The Divison does welcome 2 new sides though - with Aussie Rocks and Wyke Abbots joining the Weymouth and Portland Skittle League, so they will be looking over their shoulder for how they start!
United started in the best way possible as they secured 2 points with a 29 pin win against Pasmen. Greg Black top scoring with 60.
Atoms won by 46 as Carter Wareham's 58 contributed to Loose Women's opening day defeat. Admiral Allsorts had a superb night and have started their season emphatically with the division's highest skittler and hand on the same night as they beat new side Wyke Abbots by 22 pins. Well played Karen Coombs - 65 a top knock!
Wyke Missorts also got off to a winning start, winning by 45 pins as Channine Brooks hit 57 to finish top of the pile against Admirals Assassins. Fortunes were more favourable for the other newly formed side though, as Aussie Rocks won their first game by just 2 pins against Piranhas - R. Taylor's 48 enough to get their team over the line.
Finally, Shipwrecked earned their first 2 points of the season on opening day as they beat Yo Yo's by 11 - Sam Munro and Connor Saddington sharing the top score with 52 a piece.
Well done to all opening day winners!
The draw for the first round of the KO CUP has just been published, so be sure to check where you've been drawn for week beginning 28th September.
Good luck to all teams for their upcoming fixtures.
Tom
