Club Skittles Evening

Saturday 10th May 2008

High Duty Alloys Social Club, Batchley, Redditch

Above: Dave Stokes about to score a rare nine watched by Len Quartly and team-mate Richard Dando.

Over 60 persons, aged 9 to over 65, turned up for the club skittles evening to raise funds for the Hilly 100 and Welsh Castles Relay. Len 'kingpin' Quartly kept everyone in check and wielded his whistle to restore calm when needed. The 'Smelly Trainers' team triumphed in the six team tournament much to the delight of a very competitive Andy Freeman.

Above: Len presents the fanatastic prizes to Yasmine and Andy of the winning Smelly Trainers.

Above: Calvin Scoltock ran away with the prize for highest scoring man.

Above: Sue Wheeler keeps a grip on her prize as highest scoring woman in case Mike has designs on it.

Calvin Scoltock and Sue Wheeler (using her considerable bowling experience) were the highest scoring man and woman. Len had to use his artistic talent to draw ducks for a few skittlers who missed all the pins but we'll spare their blushes by not naming them. The raffle raise nearly another hundred pounds and the evening closed with a game of 'killer' with the competitors having to hit a single pin. In two dream finals (youth vs. experience and Redditch vs. Bromsgrove), Jeanette Malin beat Sue  and Dave Cleverley triumphed over Roger Beacham (surely justice was done after Roger's underhand tactics against Calvin in the main competition).

A few photos to show the wide variety of techniques employed:

Above: Andy Freeman used the 'wedding disco' technique.

Above: Cameron takes break from setting up the pins to knock them down.

Above: Jane thinks using a shot putt may give her an advantage.

Above: Len demonstrates his curve ball.

Above: Lewis employs the classic 'ice skater' method.

Above: Phil realises that the writing is on the wall and that Lewis has beaten him.

Above: Robert on target for the king pin.

Above: Yes - Roger's face suggests that he's pleased with that ball.

Above: The perfect technique, nicely balanced and both eyes open.

Above: Sue called upon her well-honed bowling skills to lead the way.

Sorry no photos from the second lane so only those present on the evening will have seen Dave Cleverley's celebratory shirt-peeling.