HUSTLERS IN CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH THE SARACENS KIND

In a tense contest against Saracens A at the London Inn Hustlers just got their noses ahead at the end, winning by 2 pins.

As a constructive assessment, Hustlers’ first leg was complete rubbish.  All three players lost to their opponents and at the end of the leg Saracens had a comfortable lead of 24 pins.

With a small mountain to climb, second leg made a very promising start.  Although Saracens initially appeared likely to continue their storming run, good 40s by Pete K and John enabled Hustlers to hold on, finishing as the top scoring leg and gaining a pin in the process.

So Hustlers were still trailing by 23 pins going into third leg.  Fortunately Clive was on form with a sparkling 44 and, against a weaker Saracens leg, third leg pulled the deficit down by 16 pins leaving last leg with just single figures to make up.

With nerves now showing, Hustlers began last leg determined not to win the game, shipping 10 pins on the first hand and creating a lot of work for themselves in the process.  In the end though it was Saracens who lost the game with what appeared to be a very makeshift last leg.  Hustlers gradually reduced the deficit and, at the end, anchorman Rob needed 6 to win.  He achieved it with his first ball and Hustlers won by 2 pins, the last hand being the only time in the entire game that Hustlers were ahead.