IN what was billed as the game of the season, Gulls never came out of the traps against Force 8 in the Newton Abbot and District Skittles League Brinton Cup on finals day at the Keyberry Hotel, on Saturday, writes John Balment.
Force 8 breezed to victory by 40 pins, never looking in trouble after taking a 17-point advantage on the first leg.
Anchor Alan Hewings also bagged himself the highest individual score of the day 80 (6, 8, 16, 18, 16, 16), while Graham Huddison took the honours for Gulls with 58.
Though they finished runners-up in the premier division this season, Gulls admit that their performances have been well below par.
They managed to retain the Woodbine Cup, 366-365, from fourth division side The Kings, but it was The Kings who lost it rather than the Gulls winning it.
The Kings were left with 60 to win on the last leg but came up short on 58.
In the front pin Plate Competition, Force 8 have been rattling up some scores this season and looked like retaining their crown, but came up against a determined Barbarians outfit who took the spoils 339-330.
Shaun Caunter totalled 61 for Barbarians and Steve Lock 64 for Force 8.
Breakaways have made the Glass Competition something of their own, winning it on Saturday for the third time in four years when they defeated NAGS 386-371. Bernard Hughes made sure for the winners with a 17-spare on the final end and finished top score on 56. Julie Gilliam had 54 for NAGS.
The men's individual final was a cracker, with the skittling out of the top drawer.
After a tough battle Dominic Holmes (All Whites) came out best with 70 (8, 16, 18, 9, 8, 11) holding off past champion and runner-up Alan Willis (Crusaders) on 66 and Gary Saxton (Aardvarks) 62.
Sue Groft (Turkeys) took the ladies' individual with 50. Runner-up spot went to Geraldine Beer (Teign Village) after a two legs play-off with Jenny Thompson (Anglers).
The under-14s' boys competition went to Sean Howard (Gulls) after two extra legs from Billy Brownhill (Pedlars) and the girls title to Hannah Martin (Kestrels).
Results: Boys' under-14s – Sean Howard (Gulls) 54 after extra leg from runner-up Billy Brownhill (Pedlars). Girls' under-14s – Hannah Martin (Kestrels) 42, runner-up Zoey Buckley (Pedlars) 41. Ladies Veterans – Jean Harvey (Anglers) 44, runner-up Ann Chalet (Nomads 43). Mens Veterans – Mike Beauchamp (Gulls) 51, runner-up Roger Dobbs (Late'uns) 40.
Men's Individuals – Dominic Holmes (All Whites) 70, runner-up Alan Willis (Crusaders) 66, Gary Saxton (Aardvarks) 62, Neil Harvey (Allsorts) 55, Shaun Caunter (Barbarians) and Ken Howard (Gulls) 54, Dave Rowe (Anglers) 52, Phil Jones (Falcons) 49, Jim Chanter (Force 8) 46 and Martin Coleman (U2's) 41. Ladies Individuals – Sue Groft (Turkeys) 50, runner-up Geraldine Beer (Teign Village) 66 after extra two legs from Jenny Thompson (Anglers) 60, Dawn Widdicombe (Checkmates), Rachel Martin (Kestrels) and Jeannette Taylor (Ringers) 44, Pam Murray (Aardvarks) 43, Mary Upton (Strange Brew) 42, Alison Evans (Bovey Drones) 40, Margaret Saxton (Aardvarks) 39.
Men's Three-a-sides – Bottlewashers (Steve Gilpin, Mike Smith, Roger Pike) 136, Force 8 (Mike Smith, Jim Chanter, Alan Hewings) 178. Ladies Three-a-sides – Ringers (Julie Hooper, Sue Upton, Jeannette Taylor) 134, Aardvarks (Margaret Saxton, Natasha Underhill, Pam Murray) 136. Plate Competition (front pin) final – Force 8 330 (Steve Lock 64), Barbarians 339 (Shaun Caunter 61).
Glass Competition final – NAGS 371 (Julie Gilliam 54), Breakaways 386 (Bernard Hughes 56). Woodbine Cup final – The Kings 365 (G Foster 54), Gulls 366 (Alan Howard 53). Girls' Under 21s – Natasha Underhill (Aardvarks) 50, Rachel Martin (Kestrels) 43. Brinton Cup – Force 8 426 (Alan Hewings 80), Gulls 386 (Graham Huddison 58). Highest Individual score of the day – Alan Hewings (Force 8). 80.