COTTAGE Pies’ lead at the top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championships has been reduced to only three points after they lost for the second week in a row - to Home Guard II by just seven pins at the Football Club.

In a low scoring game. Richard Henwood and Steve Symons both hit important 46s for the home side. Sam Vile scored 48 for the division leaders, but the Pies fell agonisingly shy of the target. Scores: Home Guard II, Cottage Pines 326.

Second placed Holywell Lake closed the gap on the Pies with a 10-pin victory over Oaks at the Victoria Arms. Lakers’ captain Steve Dowson led the way with 58 to see his side to a solid total. Steven Burge scored 58 of his own for Oaks, but the away side could not quite find the same rhythm as the Lakers on a tricky night for Oaks. Scores: Holywell Lake 366, Oaks 356.

Bell Green picked up a good win against Relyon, overcoming the Bedders by 35 pins on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Simon Rudd was the player of the match with a well taken 57 for the Bee Gees, who went on to hit a very strong score. Steve Hayes scored 48 in the Relyon chase, but the away side struggled to get going. Scores: Bell Green 376, Relyon 341.

Fireguard A saw off seven-man Rebels by 28 pins at the Cottage Inn, with Mike Davis the pick of the players with a solid 54 for the away side. Rebels skipper Davis Stee, led the way for his side with 48 on a difficult night for Rebels who gave a good showing despite being a player short. Scores: Rebels 317, Fireguard A 345.

Other results in the Gerald Thorne Championship included: Hot Shots 352, Club Rockers 339; Queens Legs 369, Shooters 353; Report Centre A 365, OBA 429.

The Chris Bullock Championship delivered another exciting round of matches, with Ex-Servicemen strengthening their grip on top spot following a commanding 35-pin win over All Stars. Marc Bright was the top score for the X-Men with 53 to help the home side to a strong total. Andy Chappel was the player of the match with 54 in the All Stars reply, with the away team getting to within nine pins after the 5th hand. Unfortunately for the away side, they needed to go big in the last hand, needing 80 to win the match which was always a difficult ask. Ex-Servicemen 372, All Stars 337.

Mowers made the tricky Nynehead alley look like the White Horse with a commanding win by 63 pins! Lewis Sparks scored 46 for Nynehead but it was Stephen Foster taking the top score of the match with a great 53 to see the Mowers take the win and an important three points. To put the Mowers score into context, the average score at Nynehead this season is 323! Scores: Nynehead Club 317, Mowers 380.

The Rugby Club got over the line by four pins against Here 4 The Beer to stay in the title race. Jimmy Cooper hit 53 for Here 4 The Beer while Andy Thorne knocked a crucial 53 as the rugby boys collected the all-important points.

Other scores: United Services 397, Scuppas 413; Outsiders 349, Foresters 339; Home Guard `~IV 382, King Pins 370.