SCUPPAS are through to the final of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Payne Challenge Cup - and a showdown against the Rugby Club at the Institute on Thursday, January 30 - after beating Odd & Ends by 31 pins in the semis.

Theo Ling scored 53 for Odds and Ends on a night where they found the Conservative Club alley a little difficult. Scuppas, specialists in going far in the Payne Cup, had Craig Newstead score 54 as they got over the line. Scores: Odds & Ends 338, Scuppas 369

Meanwhile, the Chris Bullock Championship delivered another week of excitement as leaders Ex-Servicemen suffered their first loss, falling to a resurgent Outsiders by 10 pins in a low-scoring yet tightly contested match at the Conservative Club.

The match was low scoring, with both sides struggling to find consistency in the first half, but the X-Men enjoyed a 15-pin lead after three hands. Outsiders found the alley more forgiving in the second half, with five spares and scores of 70, 73 and 58 set a challenging target for the away side. Steve Trevelyan knocked 51 in the X-Men chase, but with only two spare chances coming their way it was always going to be a difficult chase. Despite the loss, the X-Men stay top of the league and will remain top without playing a game this week. Scores: Outsiders 353, Ex-Servicemen 343.

Mowers overcame a tricky away fixture at the White Horse against United Services, winning by 34 pins - thanks to Darren Winter’s exceptional 70. United Services were below their usual scoring as they took on the defending champions but had Kev Austin score 59. Scores: United Services 395, Mowers 429.

Rugby Club inflicted a second loss to Odds and Ends in as many days, as they came away from the Victoria Arms with a 36-pin victory. Odds and Ends were hoping to put their cup exit behind them and skipper Nick Timewell, along with Rob Stanyard, hit 47 for the hosts. Dave Huggett scored 57 for Rugby club as their fine form continued, the win moving them into third place. Odds & Ends 342, WRFC 378.

Other scores in the Chris Bullock Championship: Home Guard IV 366. All Stars 375; Nynehead Club 328, Foresters337; Here 4 the Beer 302, King Pins 362.

The Gerald Thorne Championship continues to heat up, with Cottage Pies now the only unbeaten side in both leagues. In their latest match the Pies saw off Bell Green by 25 pins at the Cottage. Sam Vile and Jordan Perry were the top scorers for the title chasers with 53 each. Mike Johnson hit 54 for Bell Green but the Bee Gees struggled to keep pace with a Pies’ team who are enjoying a splendid season so far. Scores: Cottage Pies 367, Bell Green 342.

Reservists got back to winning ways with a commanding 34-pin victory away to Oaks at the Blue Ball, the win keeping them in second place in the table and six points adrift of the top spot. Steven Burge had hit 56 for Oaks, who went on to set a decent score. Reservists saw Peter Chamberlain hit a stunning 60 to help his team to an impressive win.

Other scores: Fireguard A 342. Holywell Lake 368; Shooters 361, Home Guard II 375; Hot Shots 345, Report Centre A 335; OBA 360, Rebels 376; Club Rockers 300, Queens Legs 355.