LEE Baker hit a stunning 27-pin hand - a rare feat in skittles - as Ex-Servicemen tightened their grip at the top of Wellington Ex-Services League’s Chris Bullock Championship with a 35-pin win over Foresters at the White Horse.

Andy Pitman knocked 58 as Foresters set a decent total of 383 on the high scoring alley but the leaders totalled 418 with Baker hitting 66 for the winners. Baker’s 27-pin hand was the first since the 2021-22 season.

Victory enabled Ex-Servicemen to stay seven points clear of Mowers who scored a splendid 403 against Home Guard IV at the Football Club with Martin Studley hitting 57 for the defending champions who won by 64 pins. Will Smith was Home Guard’s top scorer with 57.

Scuppas followed up their Payne Cup success over the rugby club with a 23-pin win over Here 4 the Beer. Nick Payne and Chris Morter both hit 53 for the winners while Adam Morgan and H Price knocked 47 for the losers. Scores: Scuppas 370, Here 4 the Beer 347.

Nynehead Club produced a shock, beating WRFC by five pins at the rugby club with Robert Cozens scoring a crucial 48 for the division’s bottom side. Rugby club skipper John Lane (47) was tops for his side. WRFC 335, Nynehead Club 340.

United Services bounced back from their cup final loss to beat Odds & Ends by 15 pins at the Victoria Arms with Dan Smith leading them home with 53 while Paul Fancy scored 56 for the opposition. Odds & Ends 366, United Services 381.

King Pins came out on the right end of a close game against Outsiders on the upstairs alley at the Vic with Paul Winter’s 53 proving vital for the home side. Top of the alley, however, was Alvin Bellamy (Outsiders) with a splendid 60.

Meanwhile, Cottage Pies’ title hopes in the Gerald Thorne Championship suffered a third blow in three games as they lost by 31 pins to stablemates Rebels at the Cottage. Lee Ellis played well for his 53 but the Pies were short of their best as Paul Taylor steered Rebels to victory with 57 - the top score in the match. Cottage Pies 349, Rebels 380.

Holywell Lake missed out on a chance of joining the Pies at the top - they trail by three points - after they went down by five pins to Relyon at the Conservative Club with Rob Higgs knocking a match-winning 64 for the Bedders. Scott Newberry scored 53 for the Lakers. Relyon 360, Holywell Lake 355.

Home Guard II have joined Holywell Lake in second spot after they stretched the unbeaten run to eight matches with a 37-pin success against Oaks at the Blue Ball. Ian Crittenden scored 52 for the home side while Kristian Thorne (58) was top of the alley for the winners. Oaks 365, Home Guard II 402.

Reservists returned to league action with a solid ten-pin victory over Bell Green at the Institute which leaves them four points off the top spot. Peter Chamberlain knocked 59 for the winners with Jason Powell (55) top scoring for the Green. Reservists 382, Bell Green 372.

Queens Legs gained a thrilling one-pin win away to Fireguard A with Adam Hill leading them home with a hand of 57. Fireguard A 358, Queens Legs 359.

Other scores: OBA 339. Hot Shots 368; Shooters 384, Report Centre A 332.