MOWERS delivered a near-fatal blow to the title dreams of Ex-Servicemen in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris BullockChampionship with a six-pin defeat of their rivals at the Football Club. M. Studley scored 47 for Mowers, who have made the tricky alley a fortress this season. G. Hamlin hit 57 in the X-Men reply, but they fell just short off the winning line. Mowers 344, Ex-Servicemen 338

Marc Bright reports - Foresters 331, Scuppas 359: Scuppas bounced back from the previous week’s defeat to Mowers with a 28 pin victory at Nynehead Club against Foresters. G. Browne and A. Pitman both hit 45 for Foresters, who are still finding their feet on their new alley. C. Newstead got into a good rhythm with 54 pins as Scuppas made light work of Foresters’ total. S

WRFC 371, Outsiders 360: Rugby Club completed the double over Outsiders with an 11 pin victory in the Conservative Club derby. C. Trott hit 53 for Rugby Club to help his side to a commanding score. R. Smith scored 55 for Outsiders, who went on to record a decent score themselves.

Here 4 the Beer 326, Moonrakers 312: Moonrakers returned to the bottom of the table after defeat away to Here 4 the Beer at the Institute. W. Brewer scored 50 for the Rockwell Green side, posting a low but challenging score on the tricky Institute alley. P. Kingdom knocked 46 pins for the ‘Rakers, but his side struggled to keep up with the home side's scoring.

All Stars 379, Home Guard IV 351: All Stars saw off the challenge of Home Guard IV with 28 pins separating the sides at the Victoria Arms. T. Winchester hit 56 as All Stars set about accumulating a solid score. HGIV, who have enjoyed a better season this year, had S. Davey score 50, but it was not enough.

King Pins 363, United Services 359

Miracles do happen! King Pins picked up a much needed win against United Services at the Victoria Arms, with S. Scovell the main man for the Pins with 55. G. Smith hit 55 for United Services, but the away side couldn’t quite match the scoring of King Pins. The win takes the Pins off bottom spot for now, but with difficult games coming up, every point will be vital to ensure it stays that way.

Gerald Thorne Championship – Holywell Lake 403, Report Centre A 336: The Lakers got back to winning ways in style with a 67 pin victory over Report Centre A at the Victoria Arms. S. Newberry scored 57 for Holywell Lake, the team hitting over 400, RCA saw O. Selwood score 57, but the travelling side could not keep pace with the defending champions.

Reservists 369, Rebels 361: Reservists came out on top of a well contested game against Rebels at the Institute, just eight pins separating the sides. N. Sparks hit a vital 61 for Reservists to put them just out of reach of Rebels, who had C. Plant scoring 53 in their pin chase.

Home Guard II 338, Oaks 303: Home Guard II won by 35 pins against Oaks at the Football Club to keep themselves right in the title race. C. Winter knocked 46 for HGII, helping his side to a solid score. T. Gerrard hit 44 in the Oaks chase, but it was not enough.

Cottage Pies 359, Shooters 346: Cottage Pies’ resurgent form rolled on another week with a 13 pin victory over Shooters at the Cottage. S. Vile hit 52 for the Pies with K. Harcombe scoring 52 for Shooters.

Bell Green 356, Relyon 352: Bell Green came out on top of a close game against Relyon at the Victoria Arms, with only four pins being the difference between the sides. T. Dunbar was the top scorer for the Greeners with 50 with M. Smith hitting 55 for the Bedders.

Hot Shots 340, Club Rockers 329: Hot Shots won by 11 pins as they saw off the challenge of Club Rockers at the Conservative Club. A. Brooks hit 51 for Hot Shots to help his team to victory. J. Morrison scored 47 for the Rockers but the game had raced away from them.

Queens Legs 404, Fireguard A 354: Queens Legs beat Fireguard A by a whopping 50 pins at the Conservative Club. D. Hayman knocked an impressive 59 for Queens Legs to help his side past the 400 mark. Will was the main man for Fireguard A with 48 but the away side struggled to find the same rhythm as Queens Legs.