Catholic Club Classics

Another Tuesday night skittling thriller at the Market Harborough Catholic Club resulted in a 37-48 win for Red Lion 'B'. On a night of high scores and low throws, the Beer Leg went the Red Lion way too, as indeed did most of the pork pie and cheesy curls during the victory supper.

Here's a blow-by-blow account of the match (though it's worth bearing in mind that I wasn't actually playing, and as we know, the barman makes work for idle hands...)

Alec struggled to find a bit of form on the low-low Catholic Club table, scraping to a 7-6 loss. Alec made up for a disappointing nights chucking with an excellent display of freestyle barracking. This confirmed Alec as a real Team Player, and an asset who's value to the team cannot be measured in mere skittling terms. Dropped.

Kev started well, romping ahead with a few good 9's, Tips, and regular swallows from his pint of Tiger. Sadly the beer took its toll as the game progressed, and Kev let his feisty opponent back into the game. A 'Paddington Hard-Stare' from team captain Fiona 'Sweet 18' Barby did the job and Kev finished strongly to gain a 4-7 win. Last seen nursing a pint of ale, and a double-chaser of bruised pride at the bar.

Jo played with her usual calm precision. Showing rare skill, verve, and more than a little style as she went on to win 4-7. Truly Jo was 'In the Zone', confidently working the Catholic Club table, whilst simultaneously keeping an eye on errant husband 'Kingpin' Mcqueenie. A class-act.

Fiona. Shaky start. Good 6-7 win. I don't recall anything else of note...

Jim 'Kingpin' Mcqueenie was on the ropes, trailing badly, throwing with all the skill and dexterity of ...erm... well, me actually. I couldn't watch any more and disappeared upstairs for a 'comfort break'. By the time I returned, plucky Kingpin had won the game 6-7.... How? What happened? Answers on a postcard please.

John 'Clippie' Clipston did just enough to make the game safe, nonchalantly strolling to a 6-7 win, barely breaking into a sweat. No doubt keeping his skittling powder dry for greater battles to come..... we hope!

Freed of any expectation of the need to win, a very relaxed Cath cut loose and expressed herself with a confident 4-7 win, did a little dance, and celebrated with a second glass of Vimto. Game, Set, Match, Supper.

Beer Report: Everards Tiger Best Bitter and Morland Old Speckled Hen were on offer. I'm not a big fan of the Speckledy Hen brew, so Tiger won the day. A decent enough pint, but one which often gives me a bad-head in the morning... which it did!

Next Match (Away): Rothwell Conservative Club 'B' (31st August)