COTTAGE Pies opened up a seven-point lead at the top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship after beating second-placed Reservists by 25 pins at the Institute.

Reservists saw Phil Powell score 53, but the defending champions struggled to find their rhythm. Lee Ellis scored 53 in the Pies’ reply to help the away side over the line. Scores: Reservists 333, Cottage Pies 358.

Third-placed Holywell Lake came out on top in the derby match against Shooters on the downstairs alley of the Victoria Arms with a solid win. Dave Howell was the player of the match with a well-deserved 59, helping the Lakers reach a good score of 380. Richard Cox hit 55 in the Shooters chase, but it was not enough on the night as the Lakers took the points. Holywell Lake 380, shooters 356.

Home Guard II, in fourth spot, recorded a 26-pin win over OBA as the sides met at the Football Club with Andy Davey leading the way for the home team with a well scored 50 in what was a low scoring game. Oaks had Andy Kemp score 51 in reply.

Oaks came out 26-pin winners of a low scoring game against Relyon at the Conservative Club. Rob Higgs scored a decent 48 for Relyon on a difficult night for the home side. Steven Burge was the top scorer for Oaks with a good 46.

Bell Green beat Fireguard A by 19 pins with Simon Rudd Rudd steering them to victory with a fine 62. Matt Eyles scored an impressive 55 for the losers.

Edd Chivers scored 55 for Hot Shots who won by 11 pins against Queens Legs (Marcus Watkins 63) while Paul Taylor’s 50 helped Rebels to a 34-pin win over Club Rockers.

Meanwhile, Ex-Servicemen maintained their 100 per cent record in the Chris Bullock Championship with a 11-pin win over Home Guard IV at the Conservative Club. Sam Berg scored 54 for Home Guard IV while Marc Bright and Steve Trevelyan both hit vital 50s for the winners.

Second-placed United Services beat King Pins by 38 pins at the White Horse Inn with Paul John and Geoff Smith both hitting fine 61s, while Matt Horne went one better for King Pins.

Scuppas missed a chance of going second after they lost by one pin to WRFC whose top scorer was Dave Huggett with 52. Roger Howe and John Barker scored 49 for Scuppas.

Mowers returned to winning ways with a 29-pin win over Odds & Ends at the Vic with Vince Milton knocking a splendid 64 for the winners.

Foresters were three-pin winners against Here for the Beer with Martin Watt and Simon Wall both scoring 47 for the winners while All Stars won by nine pins against Nynehead Club.