28th December v Pins of Anarchy (Man v Man Cup R3) Won 7-2

The Tatti's were on top form scoring a huge 406 to defeat Pins of Anarchy 7-2 in the Man v Man cup at the Black Lion.

The top halfers achieved their highest ever score of 231 beating their previous highest by a couple of pins (229 on 13th December 1996 v Whitecross 'B' at the old Pegasus Club and 4th March 2011 v Beevers at the Lads Club No.3 alley). 

The Bogoes have now scored 400 or more on eighteen occasions since forming in August 1991, with Berti & Captain Ali having played in every game.

14th Dec v Evans SC (H) Lost 353 - 370

The Tattibogoes 100% record was ended by a home defeat by in-form Evans SC who now join them at the top of the table.

30th November v 'C'on Men (H) Won 408 - 344

Newly promoted 'C'on Men achieved their highest ever score in Divison One however, it was still 64 pins adrift of the Tatti's who were in top form smashing through 400 for the 17th time in their 28 year history.

Phil Hill top scored with his second 40+ of the season and becomes the first Tatti to reach double figures in the spare count, he's also top of the league average with 32.91 from 11 games.

After being joint lowest score the previous week Rusty, Berti & Booby all had to bowl-off to determine who would (or wouldn't) play. Berti scored 9, Rusty a 12 spare and Rob, well, Rob gave up after suffering the misfortune of punching the front pin over the top with his first delivery. In an attempt to help him overcome the disappointment Rodders took him away from the action to the Gin Palace where they watched Rob's beloved Wolves play Cardiff on Neil Warnock's 70th birthday. That went well too ..NOT!

  

28th November v Marsh's Marauders (Front Pin Rnd3) Won 177-171

The Tattibogoes return to Front Pin action after a few years of not entering the competition was something of a non-contest. They breezed through to the next round with a six pin victory with a full leg and a half in hand.

The match started a little later than usual to allow some additional time for Marsh's Marauders captain to chase up his players. Apparently they were unaware of the fixture until that evening!

Anyway, with ten names chalked up, eight players present and two on their way to the Lads Club, the Marauders eventually started skittling and eight deliveries later they'd scored 34 pins. With their other two players still en-route the Bogoes took to the alley and were in front by the time Captain Ali cleared the frame with a very well taken 9. 

In the bottom half Statto became the first player to suffer a duck although he will point out that he actually did hit the front pin with his first ball but after spinning round it remained standing. Holly concluded the opening leg with a seventh 8 for Stuee to chalk up on the board and a total that meant that Marauders found themselves chasing 44 pins to level.

Contest over, Marauders latecomers completed their opening leg and after the second leg total was added up they were only 8 up with a full leg of skittling in hand for the Tatti's. Looking at the time, both captains came to an agreement that, to speed things up, Marsh's should continue to bowl until all their four legs were done and the Tatti's would then play until enough pins were felled to bring the game to a conclusion result wise.

After senior board marker Stuee helped himself to the only spare of the night Cheeso's three immediately afterwards meant the total scores were level. With Statto's efforts showing little signs of improving he was pushed into the limelight to try to fell the winning pin. Failing miserably with his first attempt (in the third leg) he was given a final opportunity in the fourth leg. With everyone looking on, expecting to witness the Tatti's lowest ever individual score being broken, Statto's first and second balls were nowhere near their intended target. However, digging deep into his skittling resources that includes an averages winning season in 2001/02, he delivered his final ball of the night bang on and to everyone's surprise it floored the winning front pin and five more behind it.

Well done Statto, Sanjay's record of achieving both the highest (47) and the lowest (3) front pin score remains intact.      

23rd November v Woodentops (A) Won 332 - 317

Another good away win, this time by 15 pins, against Woodentops at The Barrels.....

A very good team effort in the second leg put them well in command and in the end was the main difference between the two sides.

Cheeso played an absolute blinder with 41 whilst birthday boy Westy maintains his loft position at the top of the averages thanks to a 12 spare in the leg that made all the difference.

Joining him on 29 was Boundy, an early celebration for his birthday a few days later.

    

For the benefit of those who asked afterwards, no the 69 pins felled by the top three isn't the worst on record. I can confirm that the lowest is 61 which was 'achieved' by Mick Wills (21) Benny (20) & Cheeso (20) in a Man v Man cup match on 19th October 2005 against Herefordians at the Volly.
The lowest for a 'usual' top half player selection is 66, by Ali (23), Berti (20) & Gash Snr (23) way back in the first season on 5th February 1992, as it happens, also against Herefordians in the Man v Man cup (at the Legion Club).

21st November v Living on a Spare (H) Won 3-1 (326-307)

The Tatti's overcame a strong challenge by their division 3 opponents Living on a Spare to win 3-1 in the KO cup and are now through to the quarter final.

Berti topped the scoring on 38 thanks to a first leg flopper 16 while captain Ali ended up just one pin behind him on 37 after finishing with a well taken 15 spare.

16th November v Woodpeckers (H) Won 347 - 340

Despite recording their lowest home score of the season the Tatti's maintained their 100% start with a seven pins victory over Woodpeckers.

Ten wins from ten games looked on the cards straight from the off when Booby's flopper fourteen was followed up with a superb fifteen by Captain Ali. The top half recorded a 60, their best leg of the season so far however, Ali's spare turned out to be the final one of the night. With not even a sniff of an opportunity the Bogoes lead slipped away and the result hung in the balance. After three legs apiece Woodpeckers nugded a single pin in front but they then suffered their lowest leg of the game. The Tatti's returned to the alley needing 82 to win and they managed it with a player to spare.

Since performing his pre-match  ritual Rob's fortune at the Snooker Centre has certainly turned  but please spare a thought for Jonah who was last seen wandering the streets of Hereford bare footed.

9th November v Barton (A) Won 327 - 319

The Tatti's kept three 100% records intact at the Lads Club with a decent performance to see off the challenge of Barton by eight pins, 327-319. 

The win takes their league start onto 9 from 9 this season 14 from 14 against Barton and 3 from 3 on the Lads Club no.2 alley.

Prycer, surprised to be in the starting line up after his misfortune in the previous game, made the most of the opportunitywith a very well taken and important 13 spare to end the opening leg followed up immediately afterwards with a good 8. In just a few minutes he surpassed his total in the game before and surged the Bogoes into a healthy lead. Benny soon joined the spare count with a 13 of his own and Cheeso added a 10 before the half way point. Although that was the end of the spares, the lead generated by then was sufficient for the Tatti's to see out the game and gain two more points.

Happy birthday Stuee.

2nd November v Fire Brigade (H) Won 376 - 352

Another good performance by the Tatti's maintained their 100% record and bagged two more valuable points against 2015/16 champions Fire Brigade. 

Jonah, sporting his new white trainers, starred with a wonderful 45 after felling a brace of spares in the first & second leg. 

Jonah's previous 40+ was in February 2017 which, as it happens, was also against Fire Brigade and contained a 17 spare.

26th October v Phoenix Nights (A) Won 352 - 333

Another good away victory, this time over Phoenix Nights, saw the Tatti's extend their 100% start to the season to seven games.

Cheeso starred with an excellent 38 thanks to a flopper 14 spare to finish, whilst not far behind Turps played his best game with 35, felling a very well taken 13 spare in the second leg.

On a personal level Captain Ali has had much better nights so, in an attempt to cheer him up, I offered to buy him a pint of the Victory's best ale. He didn't respond but I sensed I'd better leave for the Barrels pretty sharpish!

19th October v Beevers (H) Won 368 - 346

The Tatti's extended their 100% start to the season to six games after a closely fought match against early title contenders Beevers. 

Their opponents had been able to boast a 100% record up until the previous week when the succomed to division 1 newcomers The 'C'on Men & for three legs in this game was finely balanced with just 4 pins separating the two teams.
Unfortunately for Beevers their efforts ran out of steam in the fnal leg which allowed the Bogoes a simple run in to claim all the points.

Westy is currently flying high above everyone at the top of the averages table on 37.67 with yet another immaculate highest scoring performance and Liam's late recovery 15 flopper keeps him in second place on 33.14.

At the end of the game Westy was asked if he was concerned about the adverse affect of the Duckworth-Collins Calculator when it's applied next March as it may harm his chance of winning the Bob Mcann Highest Averages cup for the first time.

He didn't reply. 

12th October v Bridgemen (A) Won 383 - 339

It was 'Strickly Skittles on Ice' as the Tatti's made it five wins from five league games with an excellent 380+ performance against Bridgemen at the Military Club.

The run up to this fixture was identical to last season with the Bogoes boasting a 100% record having won all four league games up to that point however, back then Bridgemen coped much better with the slippery conditions underfoot to win by 15 pins, 335-320. 

This time the Tatti's overcame the dangerous conditions by utilising the mats that were present in the entrance foyer. With the fear of slipping over diminished both Rusty and Benny were soon on fire felling spares galore and went on to share a new highest score of the season with 46 apiece.  

Four excellent 90+ legs was more than enough to avenge last seasons dissapointing defeat as the ran out winners by 44 pins. Roll on next week versus Beevers at home under safer conditions. 

On a serious note, I'm aware that last season the Military Club Committee ignored a formal request by the skittle league to assess this health & safety risk and act quickly to resolve it. It came following a nasty incident where a player slipped and was badly injured. Shame on them when it can be sorted out so easily and at very little cost..... 

5th October v Shop Assistants (H) Won 380 - 307

A 101 first leg set up a  smooth win for the Tattis as overall they beat Shop Assistants by 73 pins. Even the bottom half contributed this week, beating the top half over the first 3 legs. An inspired bionic Ives topped the scoring with a slick 'Vorny' 39. A long way to go in the league but 4 / 4 is a great start to the season.

28th September v Military 'D' (A) Won 354-352

The Tatti's 100% start to season remains intact thanks to a huge slice of misfortune in the final leg by one of their opposing players. 

It was a game that quite a few of the bottom half contingent will quickly forget, if they haven't already, although that said, Liam was the exception.

His opening flopper 17 could easily have been much more as only the back pin remained standing after his second ball. 

Whilst this most definitely kept the Bogoes in with a fighting chance it also served to mask the dire performance of the bottom half would put in, probably best described by the photo to the right. They barely averaged above 6 for all of their other goes and they can thank the top half for achieving above 8's to avoid a big defeat. 

Almost forgot to mention that, but for Liam's 17 spare they would have suffered their first whitewash of the season. 

21st September v Harry's Lads (H) Won 386-355

The Tatti's hit top form to defeat reigning champions Harry's Lads by 31 pins at the Snooker Centre 386-355

Statto was quick out of the blocks with a well taken 14 spare and with Prycer finishing the opening leg with a flopper 15 Stuee chalked up their first ton leg of the season on the board. As expected, Harry's Lads response was impressive with a couple of ninety plus legs to keep the contest alive. When the Bogoes returned to the alley they needed 86 to level but the bottom halfers struggled to 39 with everyone scoring a six apart Benny with a nine. Fortunately the top half then produced three spares from Stuee, Cheeso & Berti, which although not huge, they were enough to stretch the lead to ten pins. A sold ninety plus third leg left Harry' Lads trailing by 102 and their sub eighty ended their hopes. 

Cheeso stole the limelight with a superb 16 spare to finish and with a 43 total he now sits pretty at the top of the averages.

14th September v Wellies (A) Won 349-341

The Tatti's start their league campain with a good away win against Wellies by 8 pins, 349-341. 

On a night where spares oppoprtunities were at a premium Capain Ali starred with an excellent 36 thanks to a well timed twelve in the second leg which served to maintain the early lead. Boundy floored the only other spare, a fourteen, in the third leg but due to a dissapointing final leg they left Wellies a chance by leaving them needing 92 to win.

In this fixturte last season Wellies required 110 and produced an unbelievable 117 with five big spares but thankfully for the Bogoes they could only manage one spare this time and fell well short of the target.

7th September v Brewers Creeps (Man v Man Cup R2) Won 9-2

The first match of the season wasn't a classic by any stretch of the imagination and with their division five opponents, Brewers Creeps, only managing to muster up seven players for this game at the Richmond Club it wasn't a contest either.

Apart from being 5-0 up before bowling a single ball, the only thing memorable was produced by Liam who flew out of the blocks with a brace of 15 spares and he went on to record his personal best score for the Tatti's.

At the other end of the scale, last seasons wooden spoon winner, Phil Hill, set an early marker to win it again on 20 but it seems Statto is intent on challenging him this term as he also suffered the same total.

6th April v Evans SC (A) Lost 324-346

The Tattibogoes final game of the season turned out not to be their final game of the season after they were convincingly beaten by Evans SC

With the championship title having been won by Harry's Lads a couple of weeks back there was nothing to play for so the result was irrelevant. However, with Fire Brigade pipping relegated Richmond Northend by a pin they join the Tatti's at 2nd place in the table and so a play-off game will be played to determine the final standings.

Anything for one more night out!

Not much to report from this game apart from Boundy has overtaken Turps in the race for the averages wooden spoon & Dave Pryce, take a bow, awesome performance.

23rd March v Phoenix Nights (H) Drew 352-352

The Tatti's final home match of the season, against Phoenix Nights, ended in all square with both teams finishing with a flourish.

In a match with nothing to play for there was some exhibition style skittling from players on both sides. For the Tatti's Rodders picked out his three in the third leg (two coppers & the back pin) with pin point accuracy, while Y Young demonstrated how to get a six spare in the second leg. Yes that is correct, a SIX spare!

Whilst Cheeso celebrated playing in his 700th match for the Bogoes, Berti stole the limelight by finishing with a flopper 16 & taking his total to 40 for the night.

Finally, hats off to Harry's Lads who were easily the best team over the course of the season and are worthy champions for the second time.

16th March v Harry's Lads (A) Won 345-304

After two successive home defaets the Tatti's returned to winning ways away at the Railway Club against Harry's Lads by 41 pins. 

Mathematically the title remains in contention however, in reality it's done & dusted as Harry's Lads just need to beat either Whitecross 'B' or Richmond 'A', who are both fighting relegation, to secure a second division 1 championship.

Happy Birthday Rodders.

 

9th March v Fire Brigade (H) Lost 362-373

The Tatti's scored 362 for the second home game in succession but just as in the previous match their opponents surpassed past the 370 mark to win the match and end the Bogoes faint hopes of retaining the championship. 

Whilst mathematically still possible with three matches to play it would need Harry's Lads  to lose every game and you'd get better odds on Boundy standing on a horse at Cheltenham and winning the race!! 

Almost forgot to mention that the real Weale turned up for a game at last, his excellent 46 has dragged himself out of the running for the Averages wooden spoon.

23rd February v Bridgemen (H) Lost 362-378

Stuee Griffiths felled the Tatti's 100th spare of the season but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to spur the team on to victory & they ended up on the receiving end of a 16 pins home defeat at the hands of Bridgemen. 

Star performer was Westy with a fine score of 35.                                                                                                                Following their efforts the previous week the bottom half were rewarded by Captain Ali with a rare appearance of Booby Weale at No.11. In fact it's only the second time he's ever played in that position in the league, the previous was on 5th December 2014 when he scored 37 (7,7,14,9). Perhaps Ali may have found the best position for the retired international bowler as, with 32, he finally secured his place for the next game, not since the 1st of December has he managed that!

16th February v Beevers (A) Won 359-331

The Tatti's returned to their previous home alley to play Beevers & it's fair to say that the conditions suited the bottom halfers style of play. They surpassed 190 for the first time this season and achieved a brilliant 68 in the final leg. 

However, it was completely the opposite for the struggling top halfers who punched their way to their lowest total of the season so far a dismal 164, with none of them reaching the 30's.

Anyway, well done bottom lot, it's about bloody time you got some spares that changed the game. Still a dozen behind though (55-33)!

By the way, almost forgot to say congratulations to Jonah for getting his first spare of the season - them red shoes from Spain were a good investment!

9th February v Military 'D' (H) Won 401-360

The Tatti's were on fire to record their 16th 400+ total. In this match last season Military 'D'  scored a whopping 417 (the highest ever away score) but their poor opening leg in this game ended it as contest.

Cheeso starred with a superb 46, to match his personal best over 4 legs for the Bogoes. Just a few pins behind was Phil Hill on 42 who started the haul of 9 spares during the evening.