If you would like to submit a Match Report then please include the following:-
Date of Game/ Division / Teams / Reporter's Name.
It's easy, anyone can do it. You or a team mate can write a match report and send it in - simples
e-mail it to me at:- skittleman@talktalk.net
~~~ Let's put the Fun back into skittles ~~~
15 February 12 - Division 1 - Tobys v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
At the halfway point of the match, Knighthawkes actually headed Division 1 of the Paulton and District Skittles League but their success was short lived as Tobys put their foot on the accelerator in the second half to complete a 14 pin victory. On the notoriously low scoring High Littleton alley, there were only three 20+ legs on the top half as the visitors went into a 6 pin half-time lead despite Mike Richards top scoring with just 31 pins. However, stunned to be losing at the break, Tobys started the bottom half with a 26 leg to put themselves into the lead overall and went on to win the first five legs to put the game out of reach. Anchorman, Rob Brooks hit the night's top score of 41 as the home side won the bottom half by 20 pins to record a 4-2 victory desptite the efforts of 'Gus' Gulliford who rose from bottom score to a top score 34 pins in one week.
9 February 12 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v Winsleys - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes cemented their top three position with a solid maximum points victory over Winsleys at the Radstock WMC. With Neil Hawkins restored to the team and revelling in his new non-pressured spot of anchor on the top half immediately hitting a '16 spare', it was the home side who led by 14 pins at the halfway stage of the match, Hawkins ending with 50 pins. However, after the first two legs the bottom half found themselves seven pins down. A poor 15 pin leg from Winsleys brought Knighthawkes back in front and with Steve 'George' Davis hitting a '13 spare' on the fourth leg as he powered his way to match Hawkins with 50 pins, it was the Knighthawkes who picked up the 6-0 victory despite 'Gus' Gulliford not getting the breaks in his 22 pin haul. The Toby's at High Littleton await!
Thursday 2nd Feb 2012: Div 1: Skyvers v Knighthawkes - Neil Hawkins
In a hard fought encounter, Knighthawks managed to reverse a half time deficit to secure an overall 10 pin victory and an important 4 points. The teams were evenly matched and despite a commendable 41 from Mike Richards, Knighthawks ended 5 pins down at the break. The 2nd half ebbed and flowed with neither team being able to break clear until the 4th leg when an unexpected full throated Tarzan like cry from stand in anchorman Arsen Whinger (alias Clive Copp) seemed to act as the inspiration Knighthawks had needed. From that moment on they never looked back although Jane was clearly un-nerved by Tarzans call….! Arsen unbelievably went on to top score with 45 pins and Knighthawks equally unbelievably find themselves in 3rd spot.
26 January 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v The Half Empties - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes picked up four points from their home fixture against close rivals The Half Empties but were given a fright with victory by a solidary pin despite winning the top half by 14 pins. The top half roared away in style and with spares for Mike Richards, Jane Dark and Steve Herbert hit 170 pins to lead by 14, Richards top scoring with 50 pins. However, despite Knighthawkes leading by 3 pins after the first leg, The Half Empties began the fightback and by the end of the fifth leg had taken a 13 pin lead to reduce the overall deficit to just 1 pin. A competitive 27 pin leg from the Knighthawkes meant the visitors needed 29 points for victory and it came down to the anchorman needing 9 for a tie. It remained possible but only 8 pins were secured to give Knighthawkes the narrowest of victories.
18 January - Division 1 - Robs Revival v Knighthawks - Neil Hawkins
Knighthawks had a most enjoyable evening at the Fox & Badger and cruised to a comfortable victory against the luckless home team Steve Herbert who played despite a poorly mouth, set the tone for the evening when he opened Knighthawks account with a 16 spare. We think the drugs and tablets took it’s toll as Steve clearly struggled to stay upright but still managed to top score with 47.. Captain Val Hawkins made a guest appearance in place of the in form Clive Copp but more than made up for his absence with a solid 41. In the battle of the captains, R Peplar pipped Val by 1 pin – she was not amused….!. The bottom half carried on where the top half left off and seemed a much stronger 4 without the missing Mr Copp. They amassed a total of 166 pins with everyone playing their part and concluded that it would be difficult to find a place for our absent correspondent when he returns. In true Brian Clough style, Knighthawks now head off for their midseason break – a day out at Wincanton Races this Saturday…!
12 January 12 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v High Park - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes strengthened their position in the top half of the table with a comfortable 28 pin maximum points victory over a youthful High Park side at the Radstock WMC. With Jane Dark hitting 44 pins and Mike Richards 40 including a single pin final leg, it was the Knighthawkes who went into the break leading by 9 pins. Clive Copp started off with a pair of 9's and an 8 to help put the home side firmly in charge 17 pins up at the half way stage and with 'Gus' Gulliford weighing in with 42 pins, the Knighthawkes finished victors by 19 pins and 28 overall to record a 6-0 victory. The only blot on the evening was the form of Neil Hawkins with 27 pins who failed to beat his fellow anchorman, Mike Francis who provided the entertainment by throwing right handed, left handed and between his legs and still scoring 29 pins.
5 January 12 - Division 1 - Magpies v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes started the new year with a fierce battle against Magpies at the Railway Radstock picking up two points on the bottom half in which there were no more than 3 pins between the teams at any stage. Sue Herbert hit 44 for the Knighthawkes top half but with the home side posting two 44's, it was the Magpies who built up a 12 pin interval advantage. The bottom half immediately went into a 2 pin lead on the first leg but were 3 pins down at the half way stage with the home players in a vociferous mood. However, with Clive Copp hitting 9's for fun including a '9 spare' on the final leg in a total of 47, it was the Knighthawkes who clawed their way back hitting 30 pins on the final leg to win the bottom half by 3 pins.
15 December 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v Peasedown CC - Clive Copp
The only time in the match that Knighthawkes were in the lead in the match was following the final hand, but it was good enough to give them a 1 pin victory and 4 points in their home match against Peasedown CC. The top half were soon 12 pins after the first two legs but despite only scoring 126 pins with a top score 35 from Steve Herbert found themselves just 7 pins down at the break. The bottom half also struggled at first going a further 6 pins down after two legs but soon got into their stride and a couple of 26 legs took the bottom half into the lead on the bottom half but still 5 pins down overall with one leg remaining. A final leg 28 pins with Neil Hawkins top scoring with 46 and Clive Copp 41 meant the visitors needed 24 for a maximum points haul which looked odds on with the first three players scoring 21 between them. Needing three pins for victory, the Peasedown anchorman hit a single pin from his first ball but missed with his following two balls to give Knighthawkes the narrowest of victories.
13 December 11 - KO Cup Round 4 - Toby's v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes became the latest of Toby's victims going down by 33 pins in the last sixteen of the KO Cup played at the notoriously low scoring High Littleton FC. With Archie Dix in inspired for the home side never missing a pin and scoring an unbelievable 46 pins, nine pins more than any other player, it was the home side who roared into a 21 pin half time lead despite the efforts of Steve Herbert, who with 35 pins was the only person to pass the 30 pin mark. The bottom half was a tighter affair with Neil Hawkins, Clive Copp and Mike Richards scoring low 30's but with all four of the home side getting into the mid 30's, the home side added a further 12 pins to their lead to move into the quarter finals of the KO Cup.
30 November 11 - Division 1 - Happy Wanderers v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Sticker Up required at High Littleton Football Club!! Back to league action and Knighthawkes moved up to the heady heights of third spot following their 16 pin victory over the Happy Wanderers. Despite a 50 plus score from the home side on each half, consistent scores throughout saw Knighthawkes win both half's by 8 pins. The top half was indebted to a top score 47 from Steve 'George' Davis which included a 15 spare on the fifth leg as they totalled 171 pins. Mysteriously, the sticker up vanished into thin air at half time and had to be replaced by a Happy Wandererer. The bottom half were all square after five legs and Knighthawkes needed 30 pins to take the match 6-0. With Clive Copp hitting a 14 spare on the final leg and Neil Hawkins and 'Gus' Gulliford hitting 46 pins apiece to total 177 pins overall, the visitors took the half by 8 pins to gain maximum points.
28 November 11 - Nomination Cup Rd 2 - Knighthawkes v Lofty's 8 - Clive Copp
A completely inept performance saw Knighthawkes bow out of the Nomination Cup at the second round stage following their 26 pin defeat to Division 2 side Lofty's 8 at the Radstock WMC. Despite going into an early lead with a 27 pin leg, legs of 6, 9 and 10 did not help their cause and a total of just 87 pins on the top half gave the visitors a 18 pin advantage going into the second half. The bottom half faired little better and despite hitting 102 pins with Clive Copp the only person to pass the 30 mark, it was the visitors who added a further 8 pins to their victory to move into Round 3 of the Cup.
24 November 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v Midsomer Norton CC - Clive Copp
A complete turn around from the previous week saw a strong bottom half performance turn a 11 pin deficit into a 13 pin victory over Midsomer Norton CC at the Radstock WMC. The top half failed to live up to the form guide going 20 pins down after four legs before a '11 spare' from Steve Herbert brought the score back to 11 pins at the break. The bottom half traded the first two legs to remain all square before a third leg of 8's and 9's put the home side 14 pins up and 3 pins overall. Two close legs followed but with Knighthawkes hitting 29 pins on the last leg with Neil Hawkins top scoring with 44, it proved too much for the visitors and Knighthawkes recorded a 4-2 victory to move into the top six of the division.
17 November 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v The Somer Sets - Clive Copp
Despite a fine performance from the top half who scored 165 pins, Knighthawkes had to concede defeat to The Somer Sets by 13 pins with the bottom half totalling a meagre 128 pins between them. With a relaxed aptmosphere and soothing music, Knighthawkes were inspired by lead off man, Mike Richards who started with a 9 and finished with a spare to total 49 pins and helped by sidekick Jane Dark with 41 pins, it was the home side who took a 16 pin lead into the break. However, with the music ended, the bottom half were soon 20 pins down after the first two legs. 'Gus' Gulliford top scored on the bottom half with just 35 pins and it was The Somer Sets who took the bottom half by 29 pins and 13 overall to record a 4-2 victory.
3 November 11 - Division 1 - Purnells CC 'A' v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes picked up their first maximum of the season beating Purnells CC 'A' on their notoriously low scoring alley. Mike Richards and Jane Dark decided that lateness was the best policy strolling in 20 minutes late and this proved fruitful with both top scoring with 34 pins apiece as Knighthawkes won both halves by 2 pins. It looked so different though with the top half going thirteen pins down after just the first leg as still six down going into the final leg. However, a highest scoring 25 pin leg in reply to the home side's 17 pins gave Knighthawkes the lead at the break. The bottom half was more 'nip and tuck' with no more than four pins between the sides at any time despite two ducks from the Knighthawkes 'bottom two'. Six legs of scores between 16 and 21 proved enough and Knighthawes picked up a maximum 6 point haul.
Knighthawkes picked up their first maximum of the season beating Purnells CC 'A' on their notoriously low scoring alley. Mike Richards and Jane Dark decided that lateness was the best policy strolling in 20 minutes late and this proved fruitful with both top scoring with 34 pins apiece as Knighthawkes won both halves by 2 pins. It looked so different though with the top half going thirteen pins down after just the first leg as still six down going into the final leg. However, a highest scoring 25 pin leg in reply to the home side's 17 pins gave Knighthawkes the lead at the break. The bottom half was more 'nip and tuck' with no more than four pins between the sides at any time despite two ducks from the Knighthawkes 'bottom two'. Six legs of scores between 16 and 21 proved enough and Knighthawes picked up a maximum 6 point haul.
31 October 11 - KO Cup Round 3 - Knighthawkes v Wanderers - Clive Copp
They left it late again but strength of character saw Knighthawkes come back from 7 pins down with two legs remaining to eventually beat Division 5 side Wanderers by 5 pins to move into the last sixteen of the KO Cup. With Jim Parsons hitting spares on the second and third legs for the visitors on his way to a 47 total, it was Wanderers who went into a 4 pin lead which Knighthawkes slowly clawed back and overcame on the final leg to go into the break leading by 4 pins, Jane Dark leaving her Turkish experience behind to top score with 41. With Captain Val Hawkins confined to her sick bed suffering from 'man flu', Knighthawkes gave themselves all to do following a 13 pin second leg to trail by 7 pins overall with two legs remaining. However, two solid 28 legs including a '9 spare' on the last leg from anchorman Neil Hawkins left the visitors requiring a 26 pin final leg for victory. This proved too much as Wanderers posted their lowest leg of the evening to enable Knighthawkes to move into the 4th round draw.
27 October 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v St Josephs B - Clive Copp
It took twelve legs to get going but a 37 pin final leg turned what was looking to be a 6-0 defeat into a 4-2 Knighthawkes victory against St Josephs B at the Radstock WMC. Knighthawkes were 3 pins up at the halfway stage on the top half with Steve Herbert on his way to a top score 42 but, with John Dix hitting 51 for the visitors and certain players suffering from a Turkish hangover, it was St Josephs B who took a 8 pin lead into the break. A slow start from both sides saw Knighthawkes 4 pins up after the first two legs before the visitors increased the pressure to go 6 pins up with just the final leg remaining. 'Gus' Gulliford gave the home side the perfect start with a 16 spare as the home side hit the top leg of the evening to which the stunned visitors could only reply with a 19 pin leg, thus giving the Knighthawkes a 4-2 victory.
20 October 11 - Division 1 - Octavo v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Not yet plummeted to the depth of Wolves but Knighthawkes sufferred a 3rd successive defeat losing to Octavo by 18 pins at Welton Rovers for whom the Hurle Brothers were in fine form. Dave's 50 for the home side was not enough to prevent Knighthawkes taking a four pin lead into the break with Steve 'Dickie' Davis hitting 46 and 'Jock' Goudie 45 for the visitors. However, with Gary hitting 52 on the bottom half and Neil Hawkins struggling to cope with large balls, it was the home side who ran out winners by 22 pins on the bottom half and 18 overall to give Octavo a 4-2 victory. Meanwhile, a gagging order has been put in place regarding Farmborough next performance against Badger Boys in Division 4!
13 October 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v Toby's - Clive Copp
According to the home sticker up, Knighthawkes got 'rinsed' in their home match against reigning champions Toby's at the Radstock WMC last Thursday. Despite being one of the the Toby's main bogey sides over the past couple of years, Knighthawkes put up a below performance with nobody getting into the 40s, 'George' Davis top scoring on the top half with 39 as the visitors took a 8 pin lead into the break. The bottom half deteriorated as the Toby's took total control to win by a further 30 pins to inflict Knighthawkes first zero points haul of the season. The talk on the circuit though is still about birthday boy Nick Sage's career top score 60 at the Riverside for Farmborough against the Ranchid Gruellers in Division 4 - how would he follow up that performance?
6 October 11 - Division 1 - Winsleys v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Following their win over Tuckers the previous evening, Knighthawkes travelled to take on Winsleys in their third league game of the season at their reserve alley of Tuckers Grave on Thursday. The alley soon had Knighthawkes captain Val Hawkins complaining of Sue Herbert smelling of fish and then refusing sexual favours for her team, and it was the visitors who seemed traumatised going 9 pins down after the first leg. From this point, Knighthawkes couldn't get back in contention despite 'George' Davis top scoring with 49 pins as the home side went into the break 13 pins to the good. With Val Hawkins and 'Gus' Gulliford providing drinks for the rest of the team, the Knighthawkes began the 2nd half on a high picking up 10 pins with a 35 pin leg and followed it up by going into an overall lead with just the final leg remaining. However, a spare from K.Ashman on the final leg left the visitors with too much to do and Knighthawkes had to be content with two points despite Neil Hawkins top scoring with 48 pins.
5 October 11 - KO Cup Round 2 - Tuckers v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes moved into the 3rd Round of the KO Cup following their 40 pin victory over Tuckers at the Fleur De Lys. Once the electrician had been found to produce some light in the alley, the top half went in front from the start and Mike Richards top scored with 44 pins as Knighthawkes were 17 pins up at the halfway stage. A 31 pin opening leg put Knighthawkes further ahead only for the deficit to be reduced following two spares from Laurie Thomas. However, with 'Gus' Gulliford (45), Steve Herbert (43) and Neil Hawkins top scoring with 49 pins, it was the Knighthawkes who progressed into the next round of the Cup.
29 September 11 - Division 1 - Knighthawkes v Skyvers - Clive Copp
Great report Phil! Back on home soil with little balls, Knighthawkes picked up their first victory with a 5-1, 16 pin win over Skyvers last Thursday. However, it was low scores that were prevalent on the top half from both sides (Jane Dark running out of silver and attempting to put 1p in the fines dish!), the lowlight being a 19/17 pin fifth leg which brought Knighthawkes back to within 2 pins of the visitors going into the final leg. A top leg of 27 pins gave the Skyvers plenty to do but a 7 pin final hand from the anchorman saw the teams pick up a point apiece. After a 20 pin level first leg on the bottom half, Knighthawkes stormed into a 23 pin lead with legs of 27, 28 and 28 pins whilst Julian Dando for the Skyvers picked up four 3 pins hands on the trot. Despite Dando finishing with one of the few 9's of the night, it was the Knighthawkes who finished 16 pins to the good to record their first victory, only anchorman Neil Hawkins being defeated by his opposite opponent.
22 & 28 September 11 - Div 3 - Beerbellies v Herberts & Herberts v Peasedown Rebels - Phil Thompson.
With the season well and truly underway and no Russian billionaires or Arab oil sheiks willing to throw money our way,
we had to start off with the bare 8 as our captain decided to take a holiday!!. After two convincing wins in the cup matches our captain returned to lead us into the league season proper away at the Joliffe against the beerbellies. By half time Phil wished he was still on hols as the home team took a 11 point advantage, we can turn this around he mentioned quietly but the home team back half didn't listen and hit 196 and winning by 41 overall (back to the drawing board then).
Back home at Fortress Farrington our next opponents were the Peasedown Rebels, their first half didn't read the script and duly took the first half by 1 pin. they didn't count on our three inspired back half players (Thomas 43,Kingman 43 (yes 43) and Joyce who stole the show 44, oh yeh the 4th Phillips 31) who pulled back the 1 pin and went on to clinch a 4-2 victory. Good selection I think? That's the story so far with Thomas topping the early averages (will he continue to) and Perry making a trip to the bank!!! and our super sub went home at half time (no not Tevez). Thanks Mike for leading the team in my absence BUT I'm back now! HIP HIP.....
we had to start off with the bare 8 as our captain decided to take a holiday!!. After two convincing wins in the cup matches our captain returned to lead us into the league season proper away at the Joliffe against the beerbellies. By half time Phil wished he was still on hols as the home team took a 11 point advantage, we can turn this around he mentioned quietly but the home team back half didn't listen and hit 196 and winning by 41 overall (back to the drawing board then).
Back home at Fortress Farrington our next opponents were the Peasedown Rebels, their first half didn't read the script and duly took the first half by 1 pin. they didn't count on our three inspired back half players (Thomas 43,Kingman 43 (yes 43) and Joyce who stole the show 44, oh yeh the 4th Phillips 31) who pulled back the 1 pin and went on to clinch a 4-2 victory. Good selection I think? That's the story so far with Thomas topping the early averages (will he continue to) and Perry making a trip to the bank!!! and our super sub went home at half time (no not Tevez). Thanks Mike for leading the team in my absence BUT I'm back now! HIP HIP.....
22 September 11 - Division 1 - The Half Empties v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes commenced their Division 1 venture at the Dolphin in Welton but despite putting up a brave fight went down to a 4-2 defeat. The top half were soon behind with the home side consistently passing the 30 pin mark whilst the Knighthawkes were getting used to the large balls. Despite all of the Knighthawkes passing hitting 40 and 'George' Davis top scoring with 46, it was the home side that went into the break 10 pins up. The Knighthawkes bottom half found the home side less consistent and with Steve Herbert hitting a spare on the third leg, found themselves 14 pins up on the half and 4 overall. However, two 30+ legs from the home side put the Half Empties back in control and with 'Nice but Dim Tim/Gus' Gulliford struggling with his new name, it took a top score 45 from Sue Herbert and an amended post match addition to Neil Hawkins' score uprated to 45 which enabled Knighthawkes to pick up 2 points by value of winning the bottom half by 6 pins.
15 September 11 - Nomination Cup 1st Round - Knighthawkes v Fosseway Exiles - Clive Copp
Knighthawkes moved into the 2nd Round of both cup competitions following their 68 pin victory over Division 4 side, Fosseway Exiles at the Radstock WMC last Thursday. Nomination can mean some unusual scores and it was the visitors who went into the lead after the first leg managing to defeat a 4 pin leg with a 8 pin leg of their own. Although Neil Hawkins continued to struggle in his unfamiliar position, prior to scoffing his food and leaving his team-mates, scores did rise from this low point and with Mike Richards hitting 34, Knighthawkes built up a 29 pin halfway lead. The bottom half were quickly into their stride with an opening 26 pin leg and with all four players passing the 30 pin mark and Steve Herbert top scoring with 37, they defeated the Exiles by a further 39 pins despite the efforts of the visitors anchorman, M. Clement who finished with a commendable 35 pins.
7 September 11 - KO Cup 1st Round - Ali's Lot v Knighthawkes - Clive Copp
Welcome to the 2012 skittle season and a new venture for Knighthawkes in Division 1 with the 'big boys'. But first it was the preliminary cup matches and Knighthawkes travelled to the Crossways to take on Division 6 side, Ali's Lot. Steve 'George' Davis and Steve Herbert both got in the 40s as the top half built up a 8 pin lead and with Neil Hawkins, Tim 'Gus' Gulliford and Sue Herbert all exceeding the 40 mark in the bottom half, it was the Knighthawkes who take their place in the 2nd Round of the competition where they will travel to the Fleur De Lys at Norton St Philip to play Tuckers.
