THE first round of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League's Harry Dowson pairs took place on a slippery alley at the Cottage Inn.

Marc Bright writes: 7.45 pm: James May and Sam Vile (Cottage Pies) 78 v Ryan Skeels and Scott Newberry (Holywell Lake) 90. A tight game saw the Holywell Lake pair ease past their opponents with Ryan Skeels hitting a credible 50. Ryan's 13 spare in the fourth hand virtually sealed the game. Scores James May 38, Sam Vile 40 Ryan Skeels 50, Scott Newberry 40

8.30 pm: Andy Chappell and Paul Desborough (All Stars) 92 v Geoff Hamlin and Steve Trevelyan (Ex-Servicemen) 81. Steve Trevelyan suffered more disappointment after getting knocked out of the singles the previous week when he and his partner slipped to defeat against the All Stars paring. As in the previous match the game only had one spare, albeit a 10 when Paul Desborough saw his spare ball nearly sail through the pack. Despite the Ex-Servicemen couple winning the fifth hand they could not quite find enough in the final hand. Andy Chappell 42, Paul Desborough 50, Geoff Hamlin 39, Steve Trevelyan 42.

9.15 pm: Lee Ellis and Paul Robinson (Cottage Pies) 102 v Steve Dowson and Lee Newberry (Holywell Lake) 101. The highest scoring game of the evening was also the closest. This game saw three spares with Lee Ellis getting the first, a 14 in the second hand. Lee Newberry hit a massive 17 in the fifth hand to put them three pins up. Paul Robinson hit a 14 in the last hand this coupled Lee's 8 meant that 20 was required to win. Unfortunately despite Lee opening with a nine Steve was unlucky when he missed a spare chance and he ended up with nine handing victory to the Cottage Pies pair.

. Scores Lee Ellis 52, Paul Robinson 50, Lee Newberry 58, Steve Dowson 43

10.00 pm Luke Eggar and Jamie Milton (All Stars) 93,. Glen Escott and Phil Powell (Reservists) 83: The final game of the evening saw All Stars pairing of Luke Eggar and Jamie Milton progress into the next round after a 10 pin victory over Reservists duo of Phil Powell and Glen Escott. Luke started brightly when he hit a 14 in the first hand. Luke went on to hit fine 51 in his teams score of 93. Phi and Glen found it hard going but Phil with a fine 14 spare in the third hand pulled his team back into the contest, but some consistent and steady skittling saw Luke and Jamie take their place in the second round. Jamie won this competition last year with a different partner. Scores Luke Eggar 51, Jamie Milton 42, Glen Escott 38, Phil Powell 43