EX-SERVICEMEN maintained their commanding lead at the top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris Bullock Championship - they are six points clear with a game in hand - after beating King Pins by 49 pins in their latest match.

Both sides found the alley hard work at times, but the league leaders were able to pick up their pins and collect important spares, with Kev Denslow the pick of the X-Men players with an impressive 53. King Pins found themselves 20 pins down at the halfway stage, and their struggles continued in the second half. A positive note was Paul Winter who top scored in the match with a great 58. Ex-Servicemen 371, King Pins 322.

Second-placed Mowers gained an important 17-pin win away to Outsiders at the Conservative Club, with the three points keeping them within touching distance of top spot. Ron Smith scored a well-deserved 62 for the hosts, but Outsiders struggled to find their best form. Mowers had John Dodden score a strong 56 in their successful chase. Outsiders 347, Mowers 364.

Scuppas kept in the title race with a nine-pin away success against Nynehead Club who hit their highest score of the winter to lay down a good challenge for the Payne Cup winners. Lewis Sparks and Marc Turner both knocked 50 for Nynehead, while Nick Payne steered Scuppas to victory with a splendid 59. Nynehead Club 352, Scuppas 361.

WRFC squeezed home by one pin against stablemates Home Guard IV on the upstairs alley at the Conservative Club. Greg Harrison and Chalky White top scored with 58s for HGIV while John Lane was the rugby club’s match-winner with 70. Home Guard IV 398, WRFC 399.

In other matches in the division, Here 4 the Beer beat Odds and Ends by 11 pins (342-331) while while Foresters were two-pin winners against All Stars (367-369).

Meanwhile, Cottage Pies bounced back to winning form to extend their lead by one point at the top of the Gerald Thorne Championship with a 77-pin away victory over Queens Legs whose top scorer was Shaun Hill with 50. Jon Goldsworthy knocked 60 for the Pies on the upstairs alley at the Conservative Club. Queens Legs 356, Cottage Pies 433.

Holywell Lake, in joint second place, gained an impressive 38-pin home win over Reservists. Gary Regan top scored for the Lakers with a great 64 while captain Darren Sparks hit 57 for Reservists who are now seven points off the lead.

Home Guard II, who have the same number of points as the Lakers following a run of nine victories, won a low scoring game by 17 pins against Relyon. Steve Davy hit 48 for the winners while Mike Hutchings with 53 was tops for the bedding boys.

Other scores: Hot Shots 341, Shooters 339; Rebels 326, Oaks 362; Club Rockers 349, OBA 362; Report Centre A 372, Fireguard A 381.

*The league is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cyril ‘Sam’ Salter, a cherished member of our skittles community. Sam was a dedicated and respected player for Railwayites for many years, an known for his warm, friendly nature, both on and off the alley.

He remained a strong player right up until Railwayites folded after the 2016/17 season, leaving behind many fond memories among teammates and opponents alike. Sam will be dearly missed.