WELLINGTON Ex-Services Skittles league have held their annual presentation night at Wellington Football Club.

The night got underway with the presentation of a £1,000 cheque to St Margarets Hospice, in support of the fantastic work they do. Andy Govier (League President) and David Derrick (Vice Chairman) were on hand to present the cheque to David Jones from St Margarets.

The league has a proud history of donating money to worthy causes, and cancer is something that has affected us all in one way or another. We hope that this can help in some way.

The evening saw thirteen triples teams enter the night’s competition for the Graham Jennings Shield, the winning trio would receive £100 and the runners up £50. It was a strong contest played in good spirits which saw the Scuppas trio of John Barker, Roger Howe and Chris Morter see off the Outsiders in the final. League secretary Marc Bright presented the winners with the Graham Jennings Shield and the prize money. Thanks to all the teams who entered and provided some good entertainment on the night.

The evening also saw the return of the Silver Pin to be presented to the winners of the championship play-off between the winners of either division. This had not been seen in the league for over ten years as it was severely damaged. League Secretary Marc Bright made it a personal goal to see this wonderful trophy restored and returned to the league. It was fantastic to see it back.

In previous years the Jim Blackmore Cup was presented to the winners of this play-off game. It has been decided to retain the Jim Blackmore Cup in future seasons to be used as a ‘Super Cup’. This will be contested in a season opening fixture between the Championship winners and the Payne Challenge Cup holders in order to retain its prestige and continue to honour Jim who did so much for our league.

 Trophy presentation line-up for the past winter: WESSL Wooden Spoon – Report Centre A picked up the wooden spoon after losing the play-off final to Home Guard IV 325 to 329. Colin Selwood was on hand to collect the Wooden Spoon on the night.

Jim Smith Memorial Cup (highest team away score) – Holywell Lake won with a stunning 451 at the White Horse Inn in Game Week 6.

Highest individual away score – Joint winners with 74 - Alan Brooks of Hot Shots (Game Week 2), and Stuart Sutton of Queens Legs (Game Week 4). Cyril Hicks Singles Shield – John Barker of Scuppas. Harry Dowson Pairs Cup – runners up were Jamie Milton and Luke Eggar of All Stars (Luke not in attendance). Harry Dowson Pairs Cup – winners were Andy Chappell and Paul Desborough of All Stars. Ken Bright Cup – runners up were Ex-Servicemen (Ricky Baker, Lee Baker and Geoff Hamlyn received the trophy). Ken Bright Cup – winners were Scuppas.

Payne Challenge Cup – runners up were Reservists. Payne Challenge Cup – winners were Holywell Lake. Gerald Thorne Championship – runners up were Holywell Lake. Gerald Thorne Championship – winners were Reservists. Chris Bullock Championship – runners uUp were Scuppas. Chris Bullock Championship – winners were Mowers. Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League Championship – winners were Reservists who were presented with the newly restored Silver Pin, not seen in the league for over ten years.

The league would like to extend their sincere thanks to Wellington Football Club for hosting the evening, to Andy Govier for presenting the trophies, to the two stickers up who did a great job in the triples competition, and to Darren Sparks and Michael Johnson for organising the skittles on the night.

Marc Bright