THE Premier League programme in the Watchet Skittles League was completed this week when two teams in the relegation places played their back match at Harbour View, Combwich, writes Alan Bulpin. 

Combwich Otters and Phoenix Knights were locked on 12 points at the foot of the table with the Otters needing a win to have a playoff against Hungerford Harriers who were on 14 points.

A win for the Knights would see them climb out of the drop zone, curtesy of three points for an away win. At the interval Otters held what seemed to be a firm grip on the match, being 25 up but a string of spares from Knights' Mati Snell giving him a full time score of 105, ably backed up by Eben Harding with a top of the alley 107, led the Knights to a 33 pin victory to see them keep their Premiership status. Highest away score: Barrie Jones (Bell All Stars 150).

The Division A title race will be decided by a playoff between Rebels and White Horse Stallions as both teams slipped to defeats on the final night of League matches. The match at Stogumber between Stallions and Dark Horses had implications at both ends of the table with the home team needing to win to stand a chance of being champions and Horses knowing defeat would send them down.

By half time Horses had established a 28 pin lead curtesy of Stuart Ford (60) and Roger Harris (63). Horses kept up the pressure in the second half, finishing with a team total of 616, winning by 40 pins, Ford 123 and Harris 115 leading their scoring. A creditable knock of 123 by Stallions Eli Hayes was the home team’s high point. 

The match at the Social Club between Williton Club and Rebels saw the visitors take an early 13 pin lead but by the break the Club had turned it around to be six pins up. With two hands to go the Club side were seven pins to the good, needing 87 to win. It came down to the last man on needing six to win which he secured on the last ball of the night. The playoff date will be decided at the next committee meeting.

There were wins for Has Beens whose Steve Allen hit a useful 108 in their 31 pin win over Railway Steamers and Outsiders whose Martin Nurton kncokedt 104 in their home win over Rams to keep their A division status alive. The two sides meet again in the final back match knowing a win for Outsiders will see them avoid the drop and relegate Dark Horses. Highest away score: Brad Lock (Rebels 153).

Division B champions Barn Owls' George Pike hit 123 in their 61 pin away win over Footy Fockers whose Michael Shopland scored 107 and 95 apiece from Aaron Kendall and Tyler Kendall led Dungbeetles to a 47 pin win against the strongest team in the league Legion Specials whose Dave Perkins hit 89.

Results - Premier Division: Combwich Otters 545 (Pappy 106), Phoenix Knights 107 (Jebed). Division A: Has Been 541 (Steve Allen 108), Railway Steamers 510 (Seb luck 91); W H Stallions 576 (Eli Hayes 125), Dark Horses 616 (Stuart Ford 123); Outsiders 571 (Martin Nurton 104), Rams 486 (Leigh Davis 106); Williton Club 541 (Steve King 97), Rebels 540 (Mark Whitemore 100). Division B: Wadham Pinheads 507 (Simon Thomson 97), Dizzy’s Boys 510 (Mark Mossman 97); Quantock Stags 518 (Graham Bolt 99), Badgers 506 (Mark Allen 101); Footy Fockers 574 (Michael Shopland 107), Barn Owls 635 (George Pike 123); Legion Specials 482 (Dave Perkins 89), Dungbeetles 528 (T Kendall, A Kendall 95).