THREE of the big guns in the Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League have crashed out of the Payne Cup at the second round stage.

Last season’s winners Holywell Lake, runners-up Reservists and top team Mowers are all out of the competition.

The quarter-final draw is: WRFC v OBA (Nov 28), Home Guard IV v Odds & Ends (Nov 28), Ex-Services v Nynehead Club (Nov 29), Scuppas v Bell Green (Nov 29).

Holywell Lake’s hopes of retaining the trophy were dashed when they went down to a nine-pin defeat against Odds & Ends at the Cottage. Dan Smith scored 50 for the winners, while Lee Newberry and Ryan Skeels were tops for the Lakers with 49. Scores: Holywell Lake 339, Odds & Ends 348.

Reservists lost by 14 pins against Nynehead Club at the Football Club. Kevin Sedgebeer (50) top scored for Reservists while Jimmy Compton and Tom O’Neil (50) were the leading skittles for the newcomers to the league. Reservists 346, Nynehead Club 360.

Mowers lost by 15 pins against Scuppas at the Vic (upstairs) who scored 385 compared to their rivals 370.

Other scores included: Queens Legs 361, WRFC 380; Shooters 342, Ex-Services 381; Rebels 310, Home Guard 4 323; OBA 386, Fireguard A 353; Bell Green 341, Relyon 333.