HUSTLERS FAIL TO CATCH STROLLERS

On a night when no Hustler got a bad score, Strollers scored even higher.  It was encouraging however to see Clive back to his best on anchor leg, having recovered from his injury earlier in the season.

First leg started very promisingly and indeed kept up the pressure on the opposition to the end with only one score below 6.  Gary, Lloyd and John all scored in the 40s and presented second leg with a small lead of 4 pins.

The rot, however, began with second leg.  Only Pete stood out with a nice 41 but his co-pilots failed him and Strollers inflicted a 16 pin defeat over the leg.

Third leg thus began with 12 pins to make up and, although both Steve and Rob scored in the 40s, they were up against Strollers’ best leg and the deficit was expanded by a further 12 pins.

Last leg thus had to overturn Strollers’ lead of 24 pins.  Neil began with a 9 spare but never looked back after that; both he and Clive, making a welcome return to anchor, finished with fine 46s and only the last hand was under 20.  However, although they pulled 5 pins on the Strollers, it was too little and a 19 pin defeat was the final outcome.