ONE Step Beyond had to settle for a win and a draw in their opening June skittles fixtures.

In the second qualifying game for the Serious About British Skittles Championships, One Step Beyond’s mixed team came up against familiar foes Wool Misfits at Wool British Legion, having played the hosts five times in six years.

Wool Misfits started with a 61 hand, before One Step Beyond (OSB) replied with 63 helped largely by Jane Taylor’s 14-pin stick-up, giving the away side a narrow two-pin advantage.

Misfits then stole the lead with a 69, as One Step Beyond could only manage 60 to trail by six pins.

OSB then capitalised on Misfits’ 58, scoring 67 to lead by two pins – John Sheppard’s 12-pin stick-up being the catalyst to this comeback.

In a nervy final hand, Misfits’ last throw of the dice was a disappointing 56 but OSB then fell just short with a 55, meaning both sides had a share of the spoils.

Captain Chris Saddington said: “That was our best chance ever of beating the Misfits on their patch but we let ourselves down a bit. One point is better than none and after two games we are yet to lose, so I’m quite happy.”

OSB next face an away tie against the Motley Crew at the Chapelhay Tavern on July 15th.

Meanwhile, OSB’s new men’s team made a winning start on their debut against Chutney Ferrets at the Royal Oak in Ilminster.

The Ferrets started proceedings with a 49 but this was quashed by OSB’s 59.

In hands two and three, scores of 48 and 57 from the Ferrets were once again belittled with two hands of 59, giving the Beyonders a hat-trick of 59s for a 23-pin lead.

OSB had a poor next hand with a very low 49 but led by 17 going into the fifth.

Ferrets then bumbled in a 41 making them lambs to the slaughter as One Step Beyond hit the biggest score of the night with 61, extending their advantage to 37 pins going into the finale.

The Chutney boys finished their night with a 45 and a total of 295, meaning One Step Beyond only needed an eight to take the points home, which they achieved with a 56 and 343 in total to win by a massive 48 pins.

After the victory Saddington said: “The away points are very important and it’s a good start to the campaign as we still have the Pin-Ups home and away to play which will be two tricky games.

“Overall I’m very happy with the men’s team’s first outing.”

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