Bulls galore in second round of cup contest

HINCKLEY Phoenix and the Sporting Lions, both based at Hinckley Working Men’s Club, met in the second round of the Norman Iliffe Cup.

The only difference between them was the number of clean bulls scored, with Phoenix scoring 16 to the Lions’ 13. Barry Wright’s 29.2 gave Phoenix a strong start but the next best first-half scores were Karen Bown’s 27.2 and the 27 of Samantha Haskins. For the Lions, Glen Dainter’s opening 30.4 preceded Lee Johnson’s 29.3, Jeanette Mulkeirins’ 29.1 and Melanie Jenkins’ 27.1, putting them in the lead. In the second half, Phoenix’s Roxy Ratheram’s 29.3 was followed by Ian Ratheram’s 28.2, Michael Robinson’s 27.2 and Geoff Herbert’s 27.1. The Lions responded with three scores in the 25s but Todd Astill’s 29.4 was enough to give them the victory by 195.6 to 195.3.

Another second round cup match involving stablemates featured The Hounds and the Trojans, who are both based at The Greyhound Inn. The Trojans’ first half saw Darren Houghton’s 27.2 followed by Nigel Jackson’s 28.2 and Phil Hood’s 27.1. Rob Forman’s 27.1 began their second half which saw a superb 30.1 from Leigh Hall combined with Mark Smith’s 29.3 and a closing 29.4 from Chris Sills to give them 198.4 overall. The Hounds’ new-look, nine strong side saw the best individual scores come from Andy Smith and Richard Allen who scored 27.2 apiece, and Paul Huddlestone who closed for them with a 29.3 which left them trailing on 183.9.

The highest score of the round came from Bedworth Ex Servicemen’s Club who beat their Ashby Road B with a team of only seven. The home side’s first-half scores consisted of the 28.2s of Craig Shuttleworth and Jon Storer, Neil Price’s 27.1, Kim Baker’s 26.2 and Sue Baker’s 26.1. Bedworth’s reply saw Mick Cryer’s opening 27.1 followed by Katie Hartley’s 27.2, Jackie Bend’s 28.2, Abbi Gallemore’s 29.2, and Andrew Cryer’s faultless 30.6.Ashby Road’s second half added a Tom Middleton 29.3 and Jeff Goodyer’s 27 but the resulting 192.0 was not enough as James Bend’s 29.3 and Bill Bend’s 28.2 took the Bedworth total to 199.8.

Taylor and Ayre made the journey to the Barwell home of Smallshaws hoping to carry their league form, which has kept them unbeaten so far, into the cup arena. But despite Giles Headley’s 29.4, Alison Smith’s 29.3, Phil Steele’s 28.1, the 27.2s of Alyson Steele and Darren Hicks, and Paul Griffin’s 26.2, their total on the night, 192.6, was their worst score to date.

However their hosts were unable to take advantage with a 182.6 total that included Rob Wainwright’s 29.2, Bob West’s 28.1, Jackie West’s 27.1, and a 26.2 from Tom Williams.