AN EVEN GAME WITH AN ODD ENDING

Hustlers’ clash with Odds and Ends at the London Road was close throughout, so close in fact that the scores could not be separated at the end.

The biggest gap was after first leg.  Marty made another guest appearance while Lewis continued to suffer from having to play early and disappear.  It was John however who did the damage with a fine 42, and Hustlers surprised themselves by going into the second leg 13 up.

Second leg saw the game closening; after his good score last week, Malc will be disappointed with his 24 but Lloyd gained 10 pins on his opponent to keep the shortfall on the leg to 11 pins.

With a lead now cut to just 2 pins, third leg set to by gaining a few more but alas the good work petered out and third leg just matched their second leg score, allowing Odds and Ends to nick a further 7 pins and take a 5 pin lead.

Last leg took the stage (well, the alley) and slowly but surely pulled pins back.  Steve kept getting better and ended with an excellent 45.  All three players shaded their opponents and the 5 deficit was pulled back so that Neil required just 7 pins for the win.  He scored 6 and Hustlers and Odds and Ends finished all square on 431 pins.