MOWERS enjoyed mixed fortunes when they played two skittles matches in the Wellington Ex-Services League over two nights.

Playing in the Chris Bullock Championship, Mowers beat Foresters at the White Horse, Bradford on Tone, in a surprisingly low-scoring game. But it was a close-run thing with Mowers winning by only seven pins with Stephen Foster being their top skittler with 55. Greg Browne, however, was the highest scorer of the night with 56 for Foresters.

Victory enabled Mowers to keep in touch with unbeaten championship leaders Ex-Servicemen.

The outcome of Mowers’ Ken Bright Cup quarter-final against Hot Shots the following night was not good with skipper Nelson Kerslake knocking 54 as Hot Shots went through to the last four with a 11-3 points difference (two points awarded per winning hand and an extra two points for winning overall score). In the end only 15 pins separated the two sides. Scores: Hot Shots 370 (Nelson Kerslake 54), Mowers 355 (Darren Winter 55).

United Services won their quarter-final against Outsiders 10-4 with 16 pins being the gap between the teams. Scores: United Services 323 (Geoff Smith 48), Outsiders 307 (Gerry Larcombe, Ron Smith, Terry Sharland 41).

League secretary Jamie Milton top scored with 58 as All Stars beat Home Guard II 10-4 and by 31 pins overall. Mark Campbell was top of the alley with 60 for Home Guard II. Scores: Home Guard II 354 (Mark Campbell 60), All Stars 385 (Jamie Milton 58).

Lee Newberry scored a splendid 63 for Holywell Lake who became the fourth side through to the semi-finals after beating Foresters 12-2 and by 66 pins. Scores: Foresters 318 (Steve Wadsham 43), Holywell Lake 384 (Lee Newberry 63.

Meanwhile, Ex-Servicemen maintained their unbeaten start to the winter by beating Nynehead Club to go through to the semi-finals of the Payne Cup with Steve Trevelyon being their leading skittler with 61. Brian Odam hit 58 for the losers. Scores: Ex-Servicemen 396 (Steve Trevelyan 61), Nynehead Club 370 (Brian Odam 58).

The closest tie in this competition was at the Conservative Club (downstairs) where Odds & Odds squeezed home by five pins with Geoff Downs being their leading skittler with 53. Chalky White scored 59 for Home Guard IV. Scores: Home Guard IV 347 (Chalky White 59), Odds & Ends 352 (Geoff Downs 53).

WRFC beat OBA by 17 pins with John Lane leading them home with 60, while Rob Billet scored 50 for the losers. Scores: WRFC 367 (John Lane 60), OBA 350 (Rob Billet 50).

There was another close game at the Nynehead Club where Scuppas won by eight pins against Bell Green, meaning all four sides in the semi-finals play on Thursday nights. Scores: Scuppas 347 (Nigel Symonds 52), Bell Green 339 (Will Essey 50).