EX-SERVICEMEN won the big blockbuster in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris Bullock Championship, taking on defending champions Mowers at the Football Club - and winning by 21 pins to complete the season’s double over their rivals.

Mowers, second in the table, saw Nigel Dobson top score with a fine 52. Although Mowers skittled well, they only enjoyed one spare, Nigel Dobson’s 12 in the opening hand, and he was the only Mowers’ player to reach a score of 50.

Ex-Servicemen found the alley more to their liking, with their two opening hands both reaching 72, thanks to spares from Geoff Hamlyn and Dave Gardiner, along with two spares from anchorman Steve Trevelyan.

The X-Men enjoyed a 16-pin lead at the halfway stage and pressed home their advantage in the second half. Dave Gardiner top scored with a well-deserved 57, supported by Trevelyan’s explosive 55 and Hamlyn’s solid 51. Mowers 364, Ex-Servicemen 385.

Scuppas moved up to second place in the Championship - they trail Ex-Servicemen by eight points - after pulling off a 45-pin success over Home Guard IV at the Cottage. Reigning singles champion John Barker was Scuppas’ star with 54 while Greg Harrison hit a top score of 49 for the losers. Scuppas 380, Home Guard IV 335.

Outsiders were involved in an exciting game against WRFC in a derby clash at the Conservative Club, pulling off a four-pin victory with Dave Huggett knocking 53 for the rugby boys while Alvin Bellamy and Ronnie Smith, both scoring 48s, led the successful chase for the points. WRFC 344, Outsiders 348.

There was another thrilling game at the White Horse where visitors Here 4 the Beer beat United Services by two pins with Ben Price being the match-winner with a stunning 65. Ben Gamlin knocked 58 for the home side. United Services 404, Here 4 the Beer 406.

Andy Chappell hit 60 for All Stars who beat King Pins by 28 pins in the upstairs/downstairs derby at the Victoria Arms, while Odds & Ends won by 12 pins against Nynehead Club with Rob Stanyard leading his side home with 56.

Meanwhile, Cottage Pies have opened up a six-point lead at the top of the Gerald Thorne Championship after beating Report Centre A by 83 pins with Sam Vile scoring 52 for the winners and D Parsons 45 for the division’s bottom side. Cottage Pies 369, Report Centre A 286.

Holywell Lake’s hopes of winning the division suffered a setback when they lost by two pins against Bell Green at The Vic. The Green scored 375 with Mark Wardell being their top skittler with 66 while Steve Dowson’s 61 was not enough to avoid defeat.

Home Guard II also lost ground on the leaders after going down by 17 pins to Reservists at the Institute, leaving them joint second with the Lakers. Reservists scored 365 with Peter Chamberlain in good form with an impressive 55 while Kristian Thorne was Home Guard’s leading scorer with 49.

Seven-man Relyon came within three pins of beating Rebels at the Conservative Club. The bedding boys hit 340 with Mark Smith and Rob Higgs hitting 54s, while Jordan Sellick’s 56 proved decisive. Scores: Relyon 340, Rebels 342.

Steven Burge scored 60 for Oaks who beat Queen’s Legs by one pin while Shooters beat Club Rockers by 13 pins with Chris Hemming top scoring with 52 for the winners.