STEAMERS have won the Highbridge & District Skittles League’s KO Cup after defeating the Gunners by 11 pins at the Morlands Club.

After the first two hands were tied, the Gunners took an 11-pin lead with a hand of 77, but the Steamers bounced back by pulling 16 on the next to lead by five; they then pulled a single pin on the fifth hand but a sixth hand of 86 by the Gunners put the pressure back on the Steamers.

They responded with an 83 and took a three-pin advantage into the last hand.

Spares from Mark Cozens, Chris Orledge and Ian Skinner took the hand to 79 and left the Gunners needing 83 to win. Despite a spare from Pete Steels, the Gunners fell 11 short in a cracking final.

Ian Skinner 77 and Tony Burrow 76 were the stars for the Steamers, while Richard Bamsey was top for the Gunners with 70.

Steamers have now won the KO Cup six times, and have retained it after winning it last season.

In the Second Chance Cup, which was an all second division affair, Four Finger Club got the better of Social Club, winning by 20 after scoring a last hand of 87, when 67 was required, at the Lighthouse Inn. Alan Sealey and Roger Quick top scored with 74 a piece for Social Club, but Four Finger Club captain Leon Moody was their hero after scoring 77.

It is the first ever cup victory for Four Finger Club, however the Social Club will have the consolation of winning Division 2 if they win their play-off match against Odds & Ends.

Results: Knock-Out Cup Final – Steamers 506 (Tony Burrow 76, Ian Skinner 77), Gunners 497 (Richard Bamsey 70).

Second Chance Cup Final – Social Club 480 (Alan Sealey 74, Roger Quick 74), Four Finger Club 500 (Leon Moody 77).