After the Vikings drew the short straw and received the bye in the first round, they had to wait an extra week to blow out the Christmas cobwebs, and there’s no better way to do it than against one of their closest rivals.
The Vikings jumped out to a 3-1 lead thanks in part to the scoring power of Mark Robinson, who started his season well after throwing five tons — 123, 125 and 140 as well as a high peg of 71.
The Aces never gave up the fight but were ultimately outclassed on the night, with the Vikings taking the points with an 8-3 victory.
Aces’ Dan Raynor continued his fine start to the year, spearing in five tons; Emily Wills slipped in a ton, 120 and 135; Frank Roberts hammered in 119 and 140 and Dave Ring chipped in with the single triple figure score, 116.
Vikings captain Mark Jones had his eye in and finished the night with two tons, two 125s, 140, plus the match high peg of 81; while Peter Myles had a quiet night, scoring a ton, 121 and 140; and debutant Darren Withoos nailed 126 and 128.
The second game of the round was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel, with the POW Kings going toe to toe against the Pyalong Tigers in their first-ever meeting.
The Tigers battled hard throughout the night, with a number of games going to a third leg decider, but the Kings proved too good for the reigning division two premiers, taking the win 8-3 with their new captain, Jarrod Duggin, leading the way with two tons.
Terran Crispin nailed four tons, 121, 140 and a high peg of 68; Shane Rhue chipped in with a ton and 101; and Jeff Rhue scored a high peg of 69 as well as throwing 113 and 125.
Youngster Mitch Wittig was the pick of the litter for the Tigers; he hammered in a ton, two 101s and the round high peg of 120.
Tigers captain Jack Stephens had a good night on the oche (throw line), with two tons, 125, 140, and a high peg of 64.
Craig Stephens was the only other high scorer, he chipped in with a single ton.
The third and final game in division one had the Lions throwing down the gauntlet to the RCC Titans, the match being played on the Lions home deck, the Royal Hotel.
Lions got off to good start winning two of the three team games and from there were never really troubled on the score board as they powered away to an 8-3 victory.
Lions’ best player on the night was Ray Maloney who threw four tons, 121 and 140 to go with the match high peg of 55; captain Liz Henzell speared in three tons; and Adam Lynch was the only other Lions to hit a recordable score, he closed out the evening with two tons and 140.
Mitch McGuinness was important for the Titans as they continue to adapt to the higher skill level required in the top division; he slammed in a ton, 104, 125 and 140; Ayden Ballantyne nailed three straight tons and Hayden Crilly returned to the team this week and scored himself the team’s high peg of 54 as well as steering in a ton and 112.
In division two the week opened with the two top teams after round one going head to head, the Royal Rascals taking on the Bottom Pub Pirates at the Broadford Hotel.
It was the Pirates having the last laugh as they dispatched of the Rascals in emphatic fashion, sending the visitors packing with an 11-0 demolition.
The Pyalong Buccaneers, who occupy third spot on the ladder after defeating the Top Guns in round one by the narrowest of margins, hosted the POW Misfits at the Pyalong Recreation Reserve in the next game for the night.
The Buccaneers were off to a flying start after cannoning away to a 3-1 lead but the visitors finally found their groove and kicked into gear, taking home the chocolates at a canter after winning six games straight.
The final game of the round was moved to the Prince of Wales after some pre-match disruption.
The Renegades weren’t fazed as they jumped the Top Guns early and rocketed away to an unassailable 4-0 lead. Eventually they took the game 6-5.
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