BELL Green maintained their 100 per cent start to the season in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship with a 12-pin win over Relyon at the Vic.

But nearest rivals and champions Holywell Lake, held to a draw the previous week, were involved in another close match before beating Rebels by six pins to stay second.

Scores - Bell Green 363, Relyon 351: Will Essex top scored for the Bee Gees with a steady 52 while Rob Higgs knocked an impressive 53 for the Bedders.

Holywell Lake 405, Rebels 399: Last season’s winners Holywell Lake were steered to victory by skipper Steve Dowson who hit a superb 64, but they were pushed all the way by Rebels with John Sellick scoring a stunning 65.

Cottage Pies 383, OBA 355: Pies turned on the style at the Cottage to gain a 28-pin win over OBA with Sam Vile leading the way with a fine 57, while Rob Billet replied with an impresssive 58 for the losers.

Oaks 401, Queens Legs 382: Oaks produced one of the best performances of the season with a fine win over Queens Legs at the Blue Ball with Josh Navarra in splendid form with a brilliant 66. Stewart Sutton knocked a strong 60 for the visitors.

Fireguard A 354, Shooters 367: Shooters continued their strong run of form with an away win over Fireguard A at the Football Club with Nathan Harcombe starring with an excellent 58. Dan Taylor top-scored for Fireguard A with 51.

Reservists 344, Home Guard II 313: Reservists made light work of their opponents at the Institute, cruising to a comfortable win with Phil Powell and Steve Symons (48s) top scoring for their sides.

Report Centre A 371, Club Rockers 354: Report Centre A gained only their second win of the season at the White Horse with Nick Thomas shooting a 55, while Dave Perry scored 51 for the Rockers.

Chris Bullock Championship - Mowers 372, Ex-Servicemen 376: Ex-Servicemen also maintained their 100 per cent record after a dramatic victory over Mowers at the football club, extending their lead at the top to six points. Anchorman and captain Adrian Perry hit a 15-pin spare on his last hand to win the match after John Dodden had hit 55 for Mowers.

United Services 366, Nynehead Club 368: Mike O’Neil and Lewis Sparks both hit 53 as Nynehead Club squeezed out a two-pin win on the road, while Phil John scored 52 for the home side.

Scuppas 372, WRFC 354: John Lane’s 61 could not prevent the rugby boys going down to a 18-pin away loss to Scuppas whose leading skittler was Craig Newstead with 55.

Odds & Ends 398, All Stars 397: Odds & Ends won their first match of the season in a thrilling game, pipping All Stars by one pin with Theo Ling being the match-winner with 61. Liam Milton knocked 62 for the visitors in a game which could have gone either way.

Here 4 the Beer 334, Foresters 312: Here for the Beer enjoyed a much-needed victory at the Institute, overcoming Foresters by 22 pins with Ollie Price leading the way with a solid 51. Steve Wadham top scored for Foresters with 42.

Home Guard IV 377, King Pins 375: Simon Davey was the standout performer with 54 for Home Guard IV, while Will Darch and Steve Powell scored 53 for Pins.