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And they’re off! Cracking start to the Winter League this week, with all four new teams taking their bow, and the shiny new pins & balls taking some hefty punishment. Monday night saw Birdies, Goals & Spares put a marker down, with a statement 9-1 victory over Splitz & Giggles. Callum Dickson was indisposed, but his new teammates smashed 189 pins, including legs of 44 & 43. Splitz 40 in the beer leg wasn’t enough for a leg win, but they sneaked a point in the low-scoring 4th. BGS’ Ray Park posted a majestic 37, backed up by 36 from Adrian Redhead, whilst skipper Rob Perry hit 33 in Splitz best effort. Andy Bell’s new Rollin’ Pins team came up against a Spare Ribs side looking to continue their great form of last Winter, and Ribs won out 8-2. Rollin’ Pins were solid, but just came up short in the first four legs but redeemed themselves with a win in the last. Aside from various new Bell family members, Andy has tempted back a couple of ex-skittlers, and it was Olli Henderson who hit their top score of 32. Nye’s magnetic personality can draw players from as far as Maidenhead for a game, alongside his bowling of course - he toppled 32 for Ribs. Sianie’s Angels were next on Tuesday night, and they suffered the same fate against Big ‘Uns losing 8-2. This whole team are brand new to the alley, and a winning 36-leg in the 2nd shows their potential. However, Big ‘Uns years of experience won out in the closer 4th & 5th to take the win. Angels’ James Crosby was the only player to break 30, smacking 32 on debut. Absolutely Skittled had to wait until Thursday night, but were clearly raring to go, hitting a massive 194 pins on the way to an 8-2 thumping of 2023/24 champions Last Six. It was a far closer game than the result suggests, with Six whacking 185 pins themselves including losing leg scores of 41 & 38. Their opponents, also all debutants, hit two 42-pin legs and are clearly ones to watch - seems all their practice nights ahead of the start of the Winter was time well spent. Craig Davis (37) and Mike Norris (36) had great games, whilst Angie Keeler (34) was Last Six’s best player. As we all know, there’s no point in looking at the league table at this stage but if you do, you’ll find Living On A Spare at the summit after their 10-0 demolition of Late Knights. Knights were competitive in the early legs, but LOAS gradually built their scores to finish with legs of 41 & 44 pegging 186 pins to complete the win. Matt Wright’s 33 was matched by Geoff Hassett for Knights. It was Winter Overlord against Summer supremo on Tuesday, with Pointer’s LNO taking on Quinn’s Gutter Nutters and the Lads came out on top, hitting the week’s best total of 198 on the way to an 8-2 victory. LNO opened with legs of 43 & 44, but stumbled in the beer round, losing 4 drinks & 2 points. Nutters were no slouches, finishing with a total of 172 pins, but couldn’t keep up with last year’s title winners. Bryan Archer’s imperious 39 was supported by Rob Preece’s 34 & Tom Morgan struck the week’s sole spare (9). Lee Crook’s 35 came close to matching Bryan’s effort. Cross Keys reminded everyone that they are contenders this time round, knocking 191 pins in their 6-4 win over Best Sellers. Keys’ points were secured with legs of 38, 41 & 42 whilst their opponents won with 39 & 37 totals on the way to their 178. Sellers made the big signing of the transfer window with Steve “Leafy” Lee returning to the alley, and he walloped 39 to prove he’s lost none of his potency. Mark Hoskins backed up with 34, but it wasn’t enough - Geoff Arnold’s 35 & Grant Shergold’s 34 ensured the Keys triumphed. Last up, Alsorts won out 6-4 against Remnants in a lower scoring affair. Sorts were a little off their summer season form, but still took the spoils and hit 39 in the 4th. Remnants have recruited some new blood after losing the Bells, but hit their best leg (36) in winning the 2nd, and it was Anne Walters who scored highest in the match with 33. Gary Walker managed the only other 30 score. Eight more games coming up this week - see you there!