SQUIB A hosted the Lime Kiln B team in Division A of the Bridgwater Town Skittles League and, with the opening hand a draw, a closelyfought match was on the cards.

Squib’s next two hands put the Limer under pressure, pulling 21 after four spares from Steve Britton, Keith Clapp,Ian Lorey and Ryan Ingram.

The fourth saw Lime Kiln fighting back, following a poor hand from the Squib. Spares from Matt Fursland, and Chris Flagherty, and a flopper from Paul Nicholls saw 14 pulled back, leaving the deficit at seven.

After winning the next two hands, Lime Kiln hauled themselves into the lead, by a single pin. Squib set a target of 75 to win, however, after a poor start, the Lime Kiln’s tail had their hands full.

Steve Palmer’s 18 spare still left last man on Paul Nicholls needing a spare, which wasn’t forthcoming and Squib won by five.

In Division B, White Hart A played at Cross Rifles and started by equalling the home side’s hand of 55.

Rifles’ second hand pulled seven following spares from Martin Whittet and Neil Hughes, however, a poor follow-up hand saw Hart leap into the lead, by a single pin.

After the fourth hand was won by Rifles, by a single pin the game was tied.

Cross Rifles continued to build momentum through the following two hands, again leading the match.

A final hand target of 70 was posted by the Rifles. Third man on Chris Jones eased the target closer with a 14 spare but it took final man Steve Facey getting a spare to claim the win and White Hart won by five.

With the Market sides facing each other Division C, high scores were bound to be on the cards. Home side Market D hit the highest score of the night with their opening hand, an 81, after spares from Robin Francis, Andy Escott and Phil Hartley.

Market fought back and, despite spares from opener Steve Carr and Wayne Nunn, seven pins were dropped. Tied second and fourth hands left the Market A trailing by 18.

The sixth hand saw Market A reduce the deficit by three after a Steve Parker flopper, and another spare from Wayne Nunn.

Market D set a target of 88 for the win but, despite three spares in the hand, Market A lost by 11.

In Division D, Duke B hosted the Cross Rifles B and started well with an 11-pin haul. A tied second hand preceded another two winning hands for the Duke, raising their lead to 19.

Rifles found form in the fourth hand, pulling 13 to reducing Dukes lead to seven.

Duke set a target of 72 which, even after Kevin Dibble’s spare, couldn’t be caught by the Rifles who lost by six.