Whoops!
November's away match to the Upsets at Bromham Social Club
was a sight for sore eyes for many reasons. Firstly, it was probably the team's
worst performance for years, secondly two very recent yellow jersey winners -
Norman and last week's winner Tony - were dropped for the game next week and
thirdly, the yellow jersey was won for an all time low score of 24 which was
contested in a play off between Jim and Richard - Jim being the eventual
winner. The team eventually lost 8-2 after winning the last leg.
Here's a photo of young Purser in action where he scored an 8. I'm hoping that what Simon is holding is actually his phone. He's also got unnaturally hairy hands as well.
In other news from last night, Nathan is looking more and more like Private Walker with his little moustache although he would prefer it to be more like Errol Flynn. Nathan was also very unlucky not to be awarded his first ever yellow jersey after scoring 23 but was hampered somewhat by getting a 1 in the first leg. So near, yet so far! Because of the very low scores in last night's game (Roger got a 15) combined with the fact that the Captain was dropped for this game (for scoring 25 the previous week!!!!!!!) he actually moves back into 2nd place in the averages without the need to throw a ball which is some sort of justice really. The spare players; Captain, Big John and Frank were somewhat relieved to not be playing on such a dour alley. Oh, and the Capt'n scored a derisory 2 pins during the beer leg but at least we took another fiver off the opposing team. I'm sure Purser will tell us soon if we are up or down in the beer legs stakes.
Capt'n
Here's a photo of young Purser in action where he scored an 8. I'm hoping that what Simon is holding is actually his phone. He's also got unnaturally hairy hands as well.
In other news from last night, Nathan is looking more and more like Private Walker with his little moustache although he would prefer it to be more like Errol Flynn. Nathan was also very unlucky not to be awarded his first ever yellow jersey after scoring 23 but was hampered somewhat by getting a 1 in the first leg. So near, yet so far! Because of the very low scores in last night's game (Roger got a 15) combined with the fact that the Captain was dropped for this game (for scoring 25 the previous week!!!!!!!) he actually moves back into 2nd place in the averages without the need to throw a ball which is some sort of justice really. The spare players; Captain, Big John and Frank were somewhat relieved to not be playing on such a dour alley. Oh, and the Capt'n scored a derisory 2 pins during the beer leg but at least we took another fiver off the opposing team. I'm sure Purser will tell us soon if we are up or down in the beer legs stakes.
Capt'n
Fry's delight in getting yellow!
It was a wet and wild evening as the rain lashed down outside of Potterne Social Club. Inside was just as bad as Seend Cleeve Sailing Club unveiled it's latest player - Mr Norman Fry! Bringing Norm out of retirement seemed to also bring out his skittling prowess because he not only had a very good game but he also won the coveted yellow jersey on his maiden game (the same venue where young Mick played his very first game for the Sailing Club but with slightly different results :-) ). The team eventually lost 6-4 but we did manage to win the beer leg at a canter. Norman was playing the role of anchorman (tradition states that the winner of the yellow jersey takes the role of anchorman in the beer leg) and he needed just three pins to win the team a whopping five pounds! Norm stepped onto the alley, picked up a ball, took aim, threw the ball and then flopped the lot! A nine on his first ball (which although the beer leg was already won for the team he had a further two balls to rub it in). Norman finished up with a 15 spare to finish off an amazing evening - or so he thought!. A few of the more seasoned, or dare I say old salts, of the team then informed Norman about the joys of "yellow jersey satisfaction" (see "skittling jargon" if you are unsure) and how to go about it.
Our latest game was against the Rose and Crown, or "Worton Warriors" as they like to call themselves. The might of the Sailing Club overcame these warriors to win 8-2 and also win the beer leg at a canter (we must be about even on beer leg money this season - I'm sure the Purser will advise). Having three spare players obviously spurred us on because our lowest score was just 24 and the poor old Capt'n was dropped on 25 (a score for which the yellow jersey has been won in the past). The Capt'n rightly blamed an old war wound picked up somewhere on active service (or perhaps the six stiches still in his knee!) for his decline in skittling where he was second in the averages going into the game. Purser and Pete had to play off in the beer leg after both getting 34 pins but it was Purser who came out triumphant. Purser now moves into second place in the averages. The game was a rare occasion where every member played really well and to my mind it's the thought of being dropped that spurs the team on to better things! Long may that continue!
Capt.n
Our latest game was against the Rose and Crown, or "Worton Warriors" as they like to call themselves. The might of the Sailing Club overcame these warriors to win 8-2 and also win the beer leg at a canter (we must be about even on beer leg money this season - I'm sure the Purser will advise). Having three spare players obviously spurred us on because our lowest score was just 24 and the poor old Capt'n was dropped on 25 (a score for which the yellow jersey has been won in the past). The Capt'n rightly blamed an old war wound picked up somewhere on active service (or perhaps the six stiches still in his knee!) for his decline in skittling where he was second in the averages going into the game. Purser and Pete had to play off in the beer leg after both getting 34 pins but it was Purser who came out triumphant. Purser now moves into second place in the averages. The game was a rare occasion where every member played really well and to my mind it's the thought of being dropped that spurs the team on to better things! Long may that continue!
Capt.n
A photo so rare!
As you can see from Frank's pose, he won the yellow jersey for probably the forth time in about ten years. The match was against the T.A club where traditionally it presented us with the league's worst beer and food. Oh, and alley. But as of late they've managed to sort their beer out and the food isn't too bad nowadays. The alley is still crap though with really heavy balls. Frank obviously liked the feel of heavy balls because he was the team's best player on the night and even managed a little spare.
Our following game was against the Bowlers where we somehow managed to lose on our home alley despite our lowest score being just 21 pins (Mr Oddy, take a bow, lad!). We lost the first two legs despite Both Pete and Mick having a pair of nines' each. We did win the third leg and that was about it by then for the team.Yellow jersey again went to Pete "Boy Wonder" Wallis for a very nice 34. Mentions in despatches goes to Mick for getting a 27, B.J for a 28 and Tony who came second with a 29.
Capt'n
Our following game was against the Bowlers where we somehow managed to lose on our home alley despite our lowest score being just 21 pins (Mr Oddy, take a bow, lad!). We lost the first two legs despite Both Pete and Mick having a pair of nines' each. We did win the third leg and that was about it by then for the team.Yellow jersey again went to Pete "Boy Wonder" Wallis for a very nice 34. Mentions in despatches goes to Mick for getting a 27, B.J for a 28 and Tony who came second with a 29.
Capt'n
The Oldest Swinger in Town!
Well, what can be said about the game against Cheverell? Like the previous game it was one that we should have won but lost 6-4. After young Cabin boy Nathan getting the first duck of the season (and 10 pins all night!) we thought our first leg was lost but luckily for us they had a few players of a dodgy calibre as well. We did, however, manage to win the first leg, lose legs 2 and 3 but win leg 4. We again lost the aggregate by 3 pins! Three players were tied on 28 pins which demanded a play-off; they were Simon "Wiggo" Oddy, Pete "Boy Wonder" Wallis and one of our elder statesmen, Mr BJ. After the first play-off Simon was out but it took a further two play-offs to separate BJ and Pete. BJ was the winner in the end scoring 7 to Pete's 6 so he quickly donned the yellow jersey as another member of the team phoned BJ's wife to tell her what to expect on his return. Other news to note on the night was the fact that Tony, previously top of the averages, is now below Roger and that Nathan has an average of 12.5 pins after two games of this season. Surely the only way now for this team of ours is up!
Oh, we lost the beer leg again. Not helped really by one of the opposition getting a 16 spare. Bugger.
Capt.
Oh, we lost the beer leg again. Not helped really by one of the opposition getting a 16 spare. Bugger.
Capt.
The choppy waves the Sailing club travel on!
We had the Indian meal at the Refa Tandoori - in which 7 team members from 14 managed to agree on a date - during our recent bye. All 7 players managed to squeeze into the Captain's car to make logistics easier. As ever, an excellent if slightly filling meal was had.
Our next game was at the Literary Institute where we won the first leg at a canter but lost the next two dismally. We finally won the last leg and also took the aggregate score meaning it was a 6-4 victory. Yellow jersey (and satisfaction no doubt! ;-) ) went to Purser after a play off with Jim Savill (no, not that one who's been in the news of late). Tony was Mr consistent scoring four 8s whilst Jim got most of his final score on the first leg with a spare.
Here's Tony showing us just how much the old Simon stretched the yellow jersey. Nowadays though he could fit in the sleeve.
Our next game (in which Tony was top of the averages) was against our arch rivals Seend B. It was a match which had a similar story line to many of our games during the last couple of years - we should have won! It was a game that we lost 7-3 on our home alley. Pete "boy wonder" Wallis took the yellow jersey with an admirable 35 pins scoring a 15 spare on his final leg. If Pete, or anyone else for that matter, had scored another three pins we would have won the game 6-4. It was that close! Satisfaction was had though when we took a fiver off them in the beer leg. B.J managed (again) to be the only player who actually makes a profit when doing the food on a £10 budget.
Capt.
Our next game was at the Literary Institute where we won the first leg at a canter but lost the next two dismally. We finally won the last leg and also took the aggregate score meaning it was a 6-4 victory. Yellow jersey (and satisfaction no doubt! ;-) ) went to Purser after a play off with Jim Savill (no, not that one who's been in the news of late). Tony was Mr consistent scoring four 8s whilst Jim got most of his final score on the first leg with a spare.
Here's Tony showing us just how much the old Simon stretched the yellow jersey. Nowadays though he could fit in the sleeve.
Our next game (in which Tony was top of the averages) was against our arch rivals Seend B. It was a match which had a similar story line to many of our games during the last couple of years - we should have won! It was a game that we lost 7-3 on our home alley. Pete "boy wonder" Wallis took the yellow jersey with an admirable 35 pins scoring a 15 spare on his final leg. If Pete, or anyone else for that matter, had scored another three pins we would have won the game 6-4. It was that close! Satisfaction was had though when we took a fiver off them in the beer leg. B.J managed (again) to be the only player who actually makes a profit when doing the food on a £10 budget.
Capt.
Update 08/10/12
Pete's Score Sheet & Frank's Rota have been updated.
New Season: The Sailing Club wins its first game!
The season is now already two games old and Seend Cleeve Sailing Club already has 9 points in the bag from a possible 20. Last week saw Pete "Boy wonder" Wallis back to his best with the first yellow of the season after scoring 32, just pipping Capt'n to the post by one pin. Young cabin boy Weaver opened his 2012/13 campaign with a lowly 14. The first spare of the season went to Capt'n who scored a 10 (a rubbish last ball saw to that!). The only other highlight of the evening was watching Mr B.J coughing and spluttering after having a very large helping of Bhut Jolokial chilli sauce on some cheese which necessitated him to stand outside for ten minutes to cool down.
Last night saw Seend Cleeve Sailing Club against the Chancers at the Cross Keys at Rowde. It was generally an odd game with both teams registering very low scores (one of their chaps scored 10 all night). Star of the night, Seend Cleeve Sailing Club's version of Bradley Wiggins, was Simon "Wiggo" Oddy who took the yellow jersey after some fine skittling.Being eager to don the yellow jersey and make a bolt for home on his bike (and no doubt some Yellow jersey satisfaction) he showed us all how to mount a bicycle - which he has now perfected thanks to some recent coaching sessions. :-) One other name to be mentioned in despatches is Mick Grist who's commitment to the team meant he played the whole game (inc. beer leg) before driving over to Newport to book himself into a hotel rather than miss the game entirely (we only had a bare 9 last night).
Next week's a bye so it has been suggested that we go for a curry. In full Seend Cleeve Sailing Club fashion it appears that as soon as you mention the word "meal" lots of players are doing something else! For those who aren't washing their hair, applying preparation H or walking the dog I will see you in the Refa Tandoori next Wednesday night.
Capt'n
Last night saw Seend Cleeve Sailing Club against the Chancers at the Cross Keys at Rowde. It was generally an odd game with both teams registering very low scores (one of their chaps scored 10 all night). Star of the night, Seend Cleeve Sailing Club's version of Bradley Wiggins, was Simon "Wiggo" Oddy who took the yellow jersey after some fine skittling.Being eager to don the yellow jersey and make a bolt for home on his bike (and no doubt some Yellow jersey satisfaction) he showed us all how to mount a bicycle - which he has now perfected thanks to some recent coaching sessions. :-) One other name to be mentioned in despatches is Mick Grist who's commitment to the team meant he played the whole game (inc. beer leg) before driving over to Newport to book himself into a hotel rather than miss the game entirely (we only had a bare 9 last night).
Next week's a bye so it has been suggested that we go for a curry. In full Seend Cleeve Sailing Club fashion it appears that as soon as you mention the word "meal" lots of players are doing something else! For those who aren't washing their hair, applying preparation H or walking the dog I will see you in the Refa Tandoori next Wednesday night.
Capt'n
Women & Children First
Being British (not Italian!) our captain made sure he was last to leave the building on Weds night; the final game of the season. Having seen the league table we knew that we had to win by at least 2-8 to stay afloat in Division 1. Unfortunately the ship's hull was holed well below the water line on the first leg and despite B.J. trying to bale us out with a yellow jersey-winning 29, we lost 9-1.
To rub salt into the wounds, we also lost the beer leg.
B.J. was further dispressed to not be taking home the actual yellow jersey, the proof needed to demand YJ satisfaction.
We haven't had it confirmed yet, but it's very likely that we'll be down in Div 2 next year.
At least we've still got the Nomination Cup Final to look forward to!
Click for larger image
For those younger skittlers, the picture to the left shows a sinking skittle. It was crafted by shipwright Teasdale to commemorate the dismal 1999-2000 season, which saw us dropped from Div 1. Deja Vu all over again.
Phew! That was close!!
The mighty sailing Club's winning streak almost came to an undignified end last night as we eventually triumphed to a 6-4 win and also took a fiver off the Strongbow Warriors in the beer leg (thanks to Terry's fine skittling). The opposition turned up at our home alley nearly ten minutes late and only fielding 7 men so we all thought that we were going to stuff them given that we had a one man advantage over them (they are legally allowed to play their lowest scoring player again in each leg). I should say that every man thought we were going to stuff them apart from Frank that is who was willing to chuck the towel in even before we had started bowling!! No Dunkirk spirit there then! Those negative vibes that Frank was generating seemed to affect the whole team, apart from Richard that is, in scoring so low that we were actually beaten by a team missing a player! Going into the second leg we all vowed to do much better and get a 8-2 result out of the game, however, we again fell apart despite Roger giving us a good start with an 8. What the team needed was a good kick up the arse! We did manage to win the third leg but we still needed to pull back 6 pins on the overall. Half way through the final leg we were actually 5 pins down but luckily for us we have a skittler called Richard who's in top form and scored a very crucial 12 spare which, combined with Mick and Pete's 9s, done enough to not only win the leg but also the aggregate thus winning the game for us 6-4. The Captain was very average again scoring a lowly 20 pins so will again be rested for the following match.
The man in Yellow was again Rich Todhunter who proved that when the chips are down he can still knock out the high scores. This match was also his last league game of the season as he flies off to sunny Spain along with the knowledge that it would take Pete to do something extraordinary to knock him off the top of the averages now - surely even Pete couldn't do another "one game wonder".
One league match left at the morgue, aka the Conservative Club and we need to keep our winning streak going!
Capt.
The man in Yellow was again Rich Todhunter who proved that when the chips are down he can still knock out the high scores. This match was also his last league game of the season as he flies off to sunny Spain along with the knowledge that it would take Pete to do something extraordinary to knock him off the top of the averages now - surely even Pete couldn't do another "one game wonder".
One league match left at the morgue, aka the Conservative Club and we need to keep our winning streak going!
Capt.
Mind Your Head
The George & Dragon at Potterne was the venue for our latest triumph. A 4-6 closely fought win against the Oddfellows. Skittlers over 5' 11'' will know the George & Dragon by the bruises on their head sustained from walking back from the alley chuffed to bits at not having to put money in the tin and slamming straight into the low beam. Rich got yellow - again, despite Anita's best efforts to massage the score in favour of Pete. Tony was beaten by a 97 year old, almost certainly the oldest player in the league. It just shows that experience counts; either that or Tony was crap.
The George & Dragon at Potterne was the venue for our latest triumph. A 4-6 closely fought win against the Oddfellows. Skittlers over 5' 11'' will know the George & Dragon by the bruises on their head sustained from walking back from the alley chuffed to bits at not having to put money in the tin and slamming straight into the low beam. Rich got yellow - again, despite Anita's best efforts to massage the score in favour of Pete. Tony was beaten by a 97 year old, almost certainly the oldest player in the league. It just shows that experience counts; either that or Tony was crap.
The fightback has started!
After the fabulous win on Monday night to get into the final of the nomination cup we stretched our unbeaten run to two games (anything to be positive, eh?) by beating the Wiltshire Yeoman 10-0. The Wiltshire Yeoman were the first team this season to hammer us 10-0 at their place back in November plus they also took a fiver off us in the beer leg. Last night, however, we gave them a hammering by not only beating them 10-0 but also by a whopping 50 pins over all. We also had our fiver back after we thrashed them soundly in the beer leg - their best player in the beer leg was actually Anita who showed them the way to bowl. Man of the moment and winner of the Yellow Jersey was none other than Mr T himself, Rich Todhunter! We also now jump up a place to go 3rd from bottom.
Whilst we were understandably pleased with our endeavours by getting such a large win that will go some way to keeping us in Division One is was also a night of sadness to hear that the Wiltshire Yeoman, one of the founding teams in the Devizes and District skittles league, will probably fold at the end of the season due to lack of players. One of their players told me last night that he has played every single season that the Devizes and District skittles league has been running - some 51 years! It seems to be a trend for the league to continually recede after each season by teams dropping out after being unable to interest people into playing a traditional West Country game of skittles on a Wednesday night. I think that we, as a village team, are extremely lucky to be able to have 21 players signed on for a 9-a-side league whereas some of the Devizes teams are struggling to merely fill a score sheet on the night due to lack of players.
Some of us were talking last night after skittles whilst supping a pint or two (the usual crew no less) and the idea was mooted that the league should place an advert in the local press during close season asking if anyone fancied playing skittles because there must be people out there who would love to get in a game but probably don't know who to speak to. If anyone is interested in playing then they would contact the league secretary (Brian Harris) who would then place them with a team who were short of players. It may work or it may not but I think that anything is worth a try to save the skittles league which in ten or fifteen years will be all but gone. These adverts will no doubt cost a few quid to place but seeing as the league have several thousand pounds in liquid assets it could be financially worthwhile. They could also get the Gazette & Herald to run a story about the Devizes and District skittles league and give a potted history about it to maybe encourage people to join. Who knows?
Capt.
Whilst we were understandably pleased with our endeavours by getting such a large win that will go some way to keeping us in Division One is was also a night of sadness to hear that the Wiltshire Yeoman, one of the founding teams in the Devizes and District skittles league, will probably fold at the end of the season due to lack of players. One of their players told me last night that he has played every single season that the Devizes and District skittles league has been running - some 51 years! It seems to be a trend for the league to continually recede after each season by teams dropping out after being unable to interest people into playing a traditional West Country game of skittles on a Wednesday night. I think that we, as a village team, are extremely lucky to be able to have 21 players signed on for a 9-a-side league whereas some of the Devizes teams are struggling to merely fill a score sheet on the night due to lack of players.
Some of us were talking last night after skittles whilst supping a pint or two (the usual crew no less) and the idea was mooted that the league should place an advert in the local press during close season asking if anyone fancied playing skittles because there must be people out there who would love to get in a game but probably don't know who to speak to. If anyone is interested in playing then they would contact the league secretary (Brian Harris) who would then place them with a team who were short of players. It may work or it may not but I think that anything is worth a try to save the skittles league which in ten or fifteen years will be all but gone. These adverts will no doubt cost a few quid to place but seeing as the league have several thousand pounds in liquid assets it could be financially worthwhile. They could also get the Gazette & Herald to run a story about the Devizes and District skittles league and give a potted history about it to maybe encourage people to join. Who knows?
Capt.
We're on our way to Wembley!!!
A fantastic night of skittles was had at Potterne social club last night as the mighty Seend Cleeve Sailing Club swept aside a Premiership team and booked their place in the final of the most difficult cup in the Devizes and District skittles league.
The first leg of the game was won by 4 pins after Roger scored a very good (and very welcome!) 14 spare and Richard scored a 9 spare. We lost the second leg but won the third leg. We then lost the forth leg in this very topsy-turvy game which meant we were 3 pins down over all. A rallying cry went out to the troops from the Captain who reminded them that on this final leg there was not only a fiver at stake (the final leg being played as the beer leg) but also guaranteed silverware if we get into the final of the competition.
Tony, Roger and Nathan added 17 to the scoreboard before BJ, using 60 years of his skittling experience, scored an exhibition 9 putting us 4 pins up in the leg and 1 pin over all. Frank had an unfortunate duck but after Mick and Graham had put a further 8 pins on the board we were just 2 pins down overall with just Rich and Pete to go - statistically our best players of the last 5 years! Rich was first up and scored a hard fought 4 pins. His opposite number, with possibly a bit of pressure getting to him (along with maybe a bit of barracking), got a duck which meant that the tide had turned and we were the team that was now in front. Pete went onto bowl for the last time knowing what was in store for us if he got a good score. He didn't disappoint. He scored a fantastic 8 pins which is just what you wanted at the end of semi-final competition which now meant that his opposite anchor man now needed a 12 spare to tie or a 13 spare to win. Their anchorman was good but not as good as ours! His first ball struck the nominated front pin and downed 7 pins but left it impossible to get a spare and we all knew then that we had won. Just to prove a point he scored an exhibition 9 pins which we all applauded.
In the end we won this semi-final by a mere 3 pins which is very tight but when you consider that we are a team currently fighting relegation from the first division and they are a Premiership team in the top third of their division I think we did very well for ourselves. Yellow Jersey went to Tony for scoring a match winning 34 pins but in all reality everyone played their bit in this most famous of matches. Next stop: The Final!
Let's keep this winning streak (currently at one game :-) ) going to stay in Division one!
Capt.
The first leg of the game was won by 4 pins after Roger scored a very good (and very welcome!) 14 spare and Richard scored a 9 spare. We lost the second leg but won the third leg. We then lost the forth leg in this very topsy-turvy game which meant we were 3 pins down over all. A rallying cry went out to the troops from the Captain who reminded them that on this final leg there was not only a fiver at stake (the final leg being played as the beer leg) but also guaranteed silverware if we get into the final of the competition.
Tony, Roger and Nathan added 17 to the scoreboard before BJ, using 60 years of his skittling experience, scored an exhibition 9 putting us 4 pins up in the leg and 1 pin over all. Frank had an unfortunate duck but after Mick and Graham had put a further 8 pins on the board we were just 2 pins down overall with just Rich and Pete to go - statistically our best players of the last 5 years! Rich was first up and scored a hard fought 4 pins. His opposite number, with possibly a bit of pressure getting to him (along with maybe a bit of barracking), got a duck which meant that the tide had turned and we were the team that was now in front. Pete went onto bowl for the last time knowing what was in store for us if he got a good score. He didn't disappoint. He scored a fantastic 8 pins which is just what you wanted at the end of semi-final competition which now meant that his opposite anchor man now needed a 12 spare to tie or a 13 spare to win. Their anchorman was good but not as good as ours! His first ball struck the nominated front pin and downed 7 pins but left it impossible to get a spare and we all knew then that we had won. Just to prove a point he scored an exhibition 9 pins which we all applauded.
In the end we won this semi-final by a mere 3 pins which is very tight but when you consider that we are a team currently fighting relegation from the first division and they are a Premiership team in the top third of their division I think we did very well for ourselves. Yellow Jersey went to Tony for scoring a match winning 34 pins but in all reality everyone played their bit in this most famous of matches. Next stop: The Final!
Let's keep this winning streak (currently at one game :-) ) going to stay in Division one!
Capt.