EX-SERVICEMEN have won the Chris Bullock Championship in the Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League - ending a 40-year title drought.

They made sure of finishing on top of the table after they beat Here 4 the Beer by 24 pins in their latest match at the Cottage.

The game was a pretty even affair for the first three hands, with the X-Men benefitting from a slender seven-pin lead. But the new champions took control of the game with Lee Baker continuing his exceptional form to hit a stunning 60. Here 4 the Beer saw Will Brewer hit a solid 53 but the target on the night was too much. Scores: Ex-Servicemen 381, Here 4 the Beer 357.

King Pins ended Scuppas’ hopes of winning the championship by beating them by 24 pins on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Shane ‘Tapper’ Powell was the player of the match, scoring 59 to help his side to their best home score of the season. It leaves Scuppas fighting it out with former champions Mowers for the runners-up spot. King Pins 394, Scuppas 370.

Mowers kept in touch with Scuppas - they are four points adrift - after beating WRFC by 30 pins with Darren Winter spearheading victory with a hand of 61. The rugby boys top scorer was John Lane with 54. Mowers 398, WRFC 368.

Odds & Ends squeezed home by seven pins against Foresters at the White Horse, with both teams topping 400. Greg Browne hit a superb 71 for Foresters but it was not enough as Odds & Ends won with Rob Stanyard scoring 65. Foresters 411, Odds & Ends 418.

Other scores in this division: All Stars 353, United Services 367; Outsiders 346, Nynehead Club 369.

Meanwhile, Cottage Pies took another step towards winning the Gerald Thorne Championship after beating Fireguard A by 32 pins at Wellington Football Club - but both Reservists and Holywell Lake kept up the pressure on the leaders. Paul Robinson was the Pies’ star skittler with a great 65 while Mike Davies and William Leak hit 47 for the losers. Fireguard A 337, Cottage Pies 369.

Reservists won the Institute derby, beating Club Rockers by the comfortable margin of 49 pins. Chris Hemmings scored 46 for the Rockers who found the notorious alley tough going on the night. Peter Chamberlain was the player of the match, scoring 54 for the winners. Club Rockers 318, Reservists 367.

Holywell Lake went big to pick up a 48-pin away win over bottom side Report Centre A at the White Horse, keeping them joint second. Nathan Thomas knocked 57 for Report Centre A while Lee and Scott Newberry both scored fantastic 60s to see the Ken Bright Cup winners over the line.

Home Guard Il’s slim title hopes were dashed when they went down by seven pins to Queens Legs on the upstairs alley at the Conservative Club. Adam Hill scored 57 for Queens Legs who hit their third highest home score of the season. Kristian Thorne found the alley very much to his liking, hitting a great 67 - but it was still not enough to avoid defeat. Queens Legs 398, Home Guard II 391.

Relyon went into their away game against OBA with only six players - and put up a spirited fight before losing by 69 pins. OBA 360, Relyon 291.

Other scores: Hot Shots 334, Bell Green 355; Shooters 364, Oaks 343.