PLAYING their first game of the season, Swan would have expected their total of 335 pins to easily win 99 per cent of games.

But opponents Alcester Nomads can do no wrong at the moment and in scoring 70 plus in each of the five legs amassed a league record pin total of 371 to win comfortably.

Five Nomads’ players helped themselves to ‘stacks’ with Mac Eaton leading the way with an 18 stack in a total of 46, while team-mates Alan Cummings made 44 (14 stack) and Gordon Povey 41 (15 stack) also did well.

Swan might have been excused for throwing in the towel early in the game but stuck to their task, replying well through Mel Bayliss 41 (13 stack), Joe Withers 37 and Al Lumb 36.

A total of 337 pins by Maudslay, booking their first win of the season, was more than enough to see off Chris and Gerry Show.

There was still good scoring from the winners’ Dave Ford, 46, Dick Walters 37 and 35 each from Pete and Tom Roberts.

Engineers also managed a good total, 326 pins, to maintain their winning start to the season.

Opponents Alley Cats, found themselves 21 pins down after two legs and never recovered despite the best efforts of Moira Gazeley and Sam Billyard, 35 each.

For the winners, equally good scores came from Maurice Wroe and Andy Clewlow, who both recorded 36 each and Ian Greenway; Mark Ganderton and Luke Saunders all with 35 pins.

Despite fielding a number of new players, Team BG upset Jumbo Jet Set’s apple cart to win a close exciting encounter.

Team BG opened up an 18 pin advantage after two legs, only for Jumbos to whittle this down to four pins after leg four. But for the second successive game, Jumbos lost narrowly when wanting 64 pins for victory fell just short of their target.

Regulars for Team BG, Rob Baker and Margaret Saunders made 39 and 35 respectively while first timer, Jess Stringer impressively made 34.

In reply, Len Quartly made 42 (14 stack) Mick Stanton 35 and Geoff Turrell 34.