THE 2024/25 season of the Totnes Skittles League drew to a close at the rugby club with all the cup competition finals.

It was a successful day for Fords who completed the ‘treble’, adding the KO and Dart Cups to their league title plus the men’s pairs.

The KO cup didn’t look like it was heading their way as Woodpeckers led until a Phil Nicholson 22, backed up by Richard Murch’s 15 in a 68-pin eighth end, turned the game around and enabled a 13-pin win. Woodpecker Dave Saunders’ 95 was the men’s top score of the day.

Once again, it was the eighth end when Fords took the lead in the Dart Cup final, aided by Wizzards’ second consecutive leg of 41. A 60-pin finish with spares from Phil Nicholson and Steve Wakeham was enough to take a 9-pin win.

After a narrow win over Millers in the pairs semi, Fords’ Paul Trant and Richard Murch played out a high-quality final against reigning champions Chris Worth and Adam Stolworthy, who had completed a 6-pin win over Panthers.

The four players hit 14 spares with 91 (Chris), 81 (Adam) and 93 (Paul), 84 (Richard). Fords ended as winners by five.

Adam came out on the winning side in the mixed pairs, playing with sister, Emily, whose 15 spare in the eighth end was crucial, they beat mother and son duo Andrea and Richard Murch by eight.

Val McGall’s 87 was the standout score in the ladies’ pairs semis as with her partner Angela Worth, Odd Westons defeated Diamonds Marion Feltham and Sonia Edwards.

Alley Cats’ Sara Neville and Sara Ellis had the only spare in the match-up with Meadowbrooks Caitlyn Kneil and Emma Challis and won by six. The final was a great match- with only two ends to go, Odd Westons led by two but a 2-spare eighth end of 28 from Alley Cats put them into the lead and they hung on to win by four.

Congratulations to Wendy Northway who backed up being the leading ladies' average scorer by taking the singles title. She moved through to the final with a 7-pin win over Sonia Edwards where she met Angela Worth, who had defeated Jess Lewis by six. No spares in her winning 77 but she hit six nines. Angela finished with a 14 in her 66.

After a strong start from Offcuts, with Steve Tippett hitting 16 and 18, Panthers battled hard but couldn’t pull back the deficit. Aaron West was Panthers’ top man with a 2-spare 82 whilst Chris Camp hit four in his 91 for Offcuts, who are now Dart Plate winners.

In the Castle Plate final, Outsider’s Karan Vaughan was leading lady scorer of the day with her 3-spare 94. Sarah Life hit the only spare for Fordetts with a 13 in the final end as Outsiders took the title.

Fordetts got into the winner's enclosure taking an 8-pin win over Odd Westons in the KO Cup final. Spares from Jane Hingston and Linzi Cackett put them in control, Odd Westons fought hard but an unlucky nine spare from Ruth Binmore sealed their fate as they lost by eight.

Finally, Alley Cats took on Gems in the Castle Cup final. Georgie Northway took centre stage with her 3-spare 82. Alley Cats struggled to get on terms and Gems finished as 29-pin winners.

Thanks to all who supplied draw prizes and helped out on the day, much appreciated. The ladies will be playing in the Devon County Championships on May 24 in Torquay – good luck!

The presentation evening is on June 27 from 7pm at the rugby club. Please let the secretary know how many of your team members are attending, it would be lovely to see as many as possible.

AGM is on July 2, 7.30pm, also at the rugby club.