WITH leaders Cottage Pies having a bye, title-rivals Reservists and Holywell Lake moved to within four points of top spot in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship.

Reservists saw off OBA by 35 pins at the Institute. Darren Sparks led the way with a fantastic 59 while Paul Beer top scored for the losers with 50, putting more pressure on the Pies. Scores: Reservists 367, OBA 352.

Holywell Lake kept up their challenge by beating Hot Shots by 20 pins at the Victoria Arms. Scott Newberry scored 57 for the Lakers, helping the home side to a strong total. Martin Kerslake was top scorer for Hot Shots with 53 but despite the away side playing well they could not keep pace with the Ken Bright Cup winners. Holywell Lake 386, Hot Shots 366.

Home Guard II kept their slim title hopes alive with a huge 65-pin win over Report Centre A at the Football Club, with Macca Campbell hitting the top score of the match with 55 for the home team. M Hobbs scored 41 for Report Centre A. Home Guard II 341, Report Centre A 276.

Bell Green moved to within three points of third spot with an exciting one-pin win over Club Rockers on the upstairs alley of the Vic.. Will Essex and Mark Wardell both scored 53 for the Bee Gees who went on to score a fine 375. Connor Perry almost won it for the Rockers with a superb 61. Bell Green 375, Club Rockers 374.

Other results in this division: Rebels 352 (Chris Plant 53), Queens Legs 354 (Danny Hayman 56); Oaks 377 (Steven Burge 58), Fireguard A 331 (Larry Heal 48).

Ex-Servicemen, the newly crowned champions of the Chris Bullock Championship, kept the momentum going with a 25-pin away win over Nynehead Club. Nynehead captain Tom O’Neil was the standout player for his side, hitting 47. The X-men enjoyed a lead of 11 pins at the halfway stage, and managed to pull further ahead with Kev Denslow knocking a splendid 59. Although they lost the match, Nynehead Club are safe from a bottom place finish in their debut season. Nynehead Club 358, Ex-Servicemen 383.

The battle for the runners-up spot took a twist as Mowers saw off Scuppas by five pins in a close game at the Cottage. Nick Payne knocked a fine 54 for Scuppas , who were a little shy of their home average. John Dodden and Steve Foster both hit solid 55s for Mowers who moved to within one point of their rivals. Scuppas 367, Mowers 372.

United Services and stablemates Foresters were involved in another thrilling match with only one pin separating the teams at the White Horse. Andy Gamlin scored 64 for United Services who totalled more than 400 pins for the seventh time this season when playing as the home team. Rob Morgan hit a remarkable 78 to steer his side over the line by the narrowest of margins. United Services 405, Foresters 406.

In a low-scoring game, All Stars were seven-pin winners in their away match against Here 4 the Beer at the Institute. Fin Jennings scored 47 for Here 4 the Beer while Paul Desborough knocked 46 in the successful chase by All Stars. Here 4 the Beer 322, All Stars 329.

Other scores: Odds & Ends 384, King Pins 360; Home Guard IV 403, Outsiders 397.