BELL All Stars are the Christmas leaders of the Premier Division in the Watchet & District Skittles League after a 55 pin away win over Three Ferrets whose Andy Milton strung together a hattrick of spares in his top of the alley 120. Rob Norman hit 109 for the home side, writes secretary Alan Bulpin.

Meanwhile, at the Bird in Hand, an outstanding score of 150 from Bottoms Up’s Mathew Phillips meant last week’s defeat to stablemates Allsorts was avenged as they won the away fixture by 9 pins, Ian Clapp scoring 131 for the home side. Mathew’s score will not count towards the highest away score as it was on his home alley.

Callum Tarr hit 113 for Railway Steamers in the narrow 8 pin home win over Castaways whose Lewis Penfold scored 99. Craig Walsh with a top of the alley 115 led Q C Guys to a 22 pin success against Phoenix Knights whose Connor Jeromson hit 114.

Steve Bosley scored 105 for mid table Jack who picked up a useful three points in their 25 pin away victory over a relegation threatened Has Beens, Steve Allen leading their scoring with 97 while Malcolm Bennett hit 96 for White Horse Stallions as they picked up a valuable 7 pin home win over Rebels, for whom Mark Whitemore topped the alley with 108.

In a closely contested match in Division A at the Social Club, Dungbeetles Steve Sandford scored an alley topping 109 as they overcame Haddon Hillbillies by 6 pins to see them move into second place in the table, Ian and Tom Rottenbury both hitting 97 for the visitors.

In the return fixture at the Wyndham Arms between Pinheads and Warriors, Sam Towells scored a match winning 121 for the Pinheads as they recorded a 20 pin success over the Warriors, for whom Stu Ford knocked 106.

League leaders Williton Club found the Wyndham alley challenging but a knock of 98 from Steve King led them eventually to run out 32 pin victors against a spirited Rams ensemble whose Mike Farmer hit 88, Club now hold a two point lead at the top of the table. A score of 104 from Footy Fockers Michael Shopland and Lee Stirrup eased them to a 24 pin away win over Watchet Specials for whom Dan Perkins topped the alley with 120.

Draw for the quarter final of the Front Pin Cup that to be played on January 26: Allsorts v White Horse Stallions (at Carew Arms). Q C Guys v Three Ferrets (Williton Club), Castaways v Rebels (Bell Inn, Watchet), Railway Steamers v Bell All Stars (British Legion, Watchet). Captains will be advised of the Landlords Cup second round ties once the alleys have been booked.

Results - Premier Division: WS Stallions 545 (Malcolm Bennett 96), Rebels 538 (Mark Whitemore 108); Has Beens 556 (Steve Allen 97), Jack 581 (Steve Bosley 105); R’way Steamers 558 (Callum Carr 113), Castaways 550 (Lewis Penfold 99); Three Ferrets 567 (Rob Norman 109), Bell All Stars 622 (Andy Milton 120); Phoenix Knights 605 (Connor Jeromson 114), QC Guys 627 (Craig Walsh 115); Allsorts 684 (Ian Clapp 131), Bottoms Up 693 (Mathew Phillips 150). Division A: Dungbeetles 566 (Steve Sanford 109), Haddon Hillbillies 562 (Ian Rottenbury 97, Tom Rottenbury 97); W’dham Pinheads 580 )Sam Towells 121), W’dham Warriors 560 (Stu Ford 106).