BOWLSHEVIKS are Wellington Bowling Club's Men's Indoor League champions for the 2023/24 season, winning 17 of their 21 matches..

However they did not find it easy in their last match. They were up against Newbees who are difficult to beat at the best of times.

But Gerry Mangeolles, Martin Porter, Jay Merrell and skip Phil Ellis' Bowlsheviks were determined not to be beaten in their very last match.

Ernie Windsor, Chris Thorne, Mike Connor and skip Nick Channon's Newbees had no intention of being rolled over by Bowlsheviks just because they happened to be table toppers.

After five ends Newbees were looking very good. They were well ahead, leading 8 shots to nil. But the lead didn't last long. Three ends later the teams were level on 8 shots each.

From then on the battle went one way then the other but Bowlsheviks pinched it by a single shot 17 – 16.

That clinched the match and the Men's Indoor League for this season. All the players congratulated one another on some excellent bowling and everyone applauded Bowlsheviks for winning the league.

To be sure of second place, Spoofers had to beat a very strong team of Cavaliers. Bernard Barnes, John Stephens, Steve Bradnum and Skip Alan May's Cavaliers were all set to lock horns with Lewis Burgess, Steve Horrill, Richard Manning and Skip Darren Sparks' Spoofers.

Cavaliers didn't have a bad game. Every end was closely contested but Spoofers won more times than not and they powered away to win by 17 shots to 6 and take second place in the Men's Indoor League.

There was a terrific battle for third place. There was only one point between Hemyock and Fun Loving Lads coming into this game.

John Bendle's Hemyock started well agains Mike Copping's Fun Loving Lads and despite some strong competition from the Fun Lovers, Hemyock went on to win the match 20 shots to 6 and take third place in the league.

Terry Dickins' Welly 2 came prepared for a good battle against Alan Moore's Vikings but although Vikings fought hard all through and contested several ends they went down 23 shots to 5.

That win put Welly 2 in sixth place and the unfortunate Vikings in eighth…. clutching the wooden spoon. But they will return!

It has been a good winter for the club with plenty of exciting games in the indoor competitions. Members have enjoyed games especially with the bad weather since Christmas.