With rain marking the second day of Summer, the Hustlers were away to the Cannonballs Elite in a mid-table battle.
Following, 1st leg made an interesting start. With 3 spares, a beaver and AU getting his highest score of the season (equalling the team’s high in the process), they scored a great 126, yet still lost by 7 pins. Another spare came in the second leg, who pulled back 13 pins, to turn the game around and give us a 6-pin leg. Third leg saw more drama, as we hit another spare (just!) and Barry the Brasilian Beaver changing hands for the second time in the match as they lost 3 pins to make it an even closer game.
But there was still more to come. Neil’s 2 spares helped him to set a new season high as, ably supported by a pair of 40s, he guided the anchors to a 22-pin lead, to confirm another Hustlers victory.
It’s Easter next week, so we have a break before our final game of the season – at home v Celery Boys. Can we go out on a high? Tune in next time.
With Gold Cup over, would the Hustlers be pipped at the post, or would they have the legs to win at the last?
Setting, first leg got off to a stuttering start, with AU getting our first 40 of the nigh, while Jim managed to wrest Barry from Lofty’s grasp (only his 3rd beaver in 30 years, apparently) to give us a 10-pin lead. Despite Rob’s 2nd spare in 2 games and JimBob’s new highest score, 2nd leg continued the stuttering and managed to lose 3 pins
Fortunately, 3rd leg suffered no afflictions and their two 11-spares (with Pete getting our highest score of the night) managed to extend the lead by another 25 pins, leaving the anchors to finish the game off. Initial signs were that the stuttering was back, but they quickly got a grip and managed to add another 11 pins, to give us a much-needed big win.
Next week we’re away at the United Services for our penultimate game, v Cannonballs Elite. Let’s get another win to make Easter nice and eggsciting.
With Gold Cup week looming on the horizon, the Hustlers faced the prospect of a 4-pointer away at St Marks. Could they go into the break on a positive note?
Playing second, a nervous first leg got off to a great start, with AU getting our first 40 of the night as he & Gary got 40s (making up for Lofty gaining control of Barry with his first beaver of the season) to give us an 18-pin lead. Despite Rob’s spare, 2nd leg put in a consistent performance, but failed to capitalise and ended up dropping 4 pins. Was the rot setting in?
Third leg likewise struggled (how else can you explain Salty’s 9 spare?) as Lewis’ 40 kept them to within 5 pins of the saints’ leg and we let the lead dwindle to a mere 9 pins as the anchors came to the oche. Stavros did his best to keep the game close, but Neil’s 44 and JT’s spare (helping him to his first 50 of the season) saw the anchors win the leg by a stonking 23 pins) to give us a much needed win.
Next game is back at home on Monday 22 March v Batmen
Fresh back from our trip to Torquay, Hustlers were ready to take on high flying Duke of York. How would we fare?
Back at home, first leg set a fine standard as they set up an 18-pin lead, with rob getting his highest score of the season. Despite JimBob’s top score of the season, 2nd leg couldn’t maintain the standard and dropped 10 pins, ending the leg 8 pins ahead.
Third leg performed a little better, but not well enough to compete with the Duke, dropping a further 12 pins to see us go behind for the first time in the match, but still leaving the game finely poised. A brave anchor posted our 2nd highest total of the night, but, despite Neil’s spare, still dropped a pin and we lost by a mere 5 pins, going down to the highest score we’ve conceded at home all season.
