The Captain enjoys a menage-a-trois

Been a busy few weeks for the Burtle Skittler’s and this week was a visit over the hill to Moorlinch, the captain shivered as his team crossed over the hill and descended to the darkside…….

In 1871 it was remarked that Moorlinch housed a range of trades and occupations including six carpenters and wheelwrights, three shoemakers, two sawyers, a milliner, a seamstress, a veterinary surgeon, a sieve maker, a reporter and a turf merchant.Captain had learned of this wealth of local talent and arrived at the match with a collection of 15 left shoes with various issues, a broken sieve and a number of random single socks that all require darning (or possibly burning), all bundled in an old hessian sack.  

 

Upon entering the pub the captain immediately emptied his sack onto the bar, the landlord – a gruff looking sort explained that the the sieve maker and seamstress had left for the day and cobblers to any other requests. Captain disappointedly scrapped his possessions back into his sack.

 

The home team kicked off and set the bar high with a strong 77. Burtle responded with 64 and 69, with spares from Paul ‘got wood’ Attiwell and Stevie Disco B

 

Home team came back with 74 and 67 – Burtle was down by 18 pins by the 3rd hand. Captain was not happy, removing various shoes from his sack he began using them as improvised weapons and projectiles, stating in no uncertain terms and with the use of colourful language they must try harder. Shoe hurling is of course considered quite the insult.

 

Burtle, welts beginning to form from the shoe abuse returned with 74 and 86 – with another 2 spares from  Paul ‘got wood’, and single spares from Danger Darren, Windy Coombes and Dashing Dick. Captain, now happy he had made his point, re-tied his sack with an old sock.

 

Home team obviously shaken by the muffled language, sounds of leather on skin and the thumps of items bouncing off the walls came out and skittled 69 and 64 – Burtle manage to pull 6 pins !

 

Burtle returned to the alley and the captain fixed them with a fearsome stare. Danger Darren who is new to the team was visibly moved. Burtle skittle an 85 and 58 – Spares from Vice Captain Nutman, Andy K and a double flopper by Danger Darren – the Captain’s own unique style of team management obviously having a positive impact.

 

Home team responded with 64 and 64

 

Final hand and the Burtle team skittle 71 with another spare from Vice Captain Nutman.

 

Burtle Win again by 29 pins. Man of the match was Danger Darren with a final score of 81 and a number of new bruises.

 

Supper was sausages, bread and chips – old school.

Captain happy with his 3 games and 3 wins loaded his collection of shoes, socks and a single broken sieve into the car and prepared to return Burtle.