COTTAGE Pies bounced back from the previous week’s loss to beat seven-man Relyon to stay top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship - with only three remaining games.

Playing at the Conservative Club, the leaders won by 30 pins with Tom Matthews leading them home with 52 while Rob Higgs knocked 55 for the bedding boys. Scores: Relyon 340, Cottage Pies 370.

The Pies’ main rivals Holywell Lake kept up the pressure - they are only two points behind - after beating OBA by 25 pins in the ‘upstairs/downstairs’ derby at the Victoria Arms. Scot Pincombe was the top scorer for the Lakers with a fantastic 60, seeing the home side to a score just under the 400-pin mark. Steve Waites hit the score of the match with 61 but OBA could not match the all-round scoring of the Lakers. Holywell Lake 396, OBA 371.

Reservists slumped to their second successive defeat when they went down by 16 pins to Fireguard A at the Institute. Reservists struggled to find their best form with Dave Perry being their top scorer with 45. Fireguard A took full advantage with Mike Davis hitting 46 to help his side over the line. Reservists 307, Fireguard A 323.

Bell Green’s good form shows no signs of stopping as they beat Shooters by 16 pins on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Rugby club secretary Ash Colman knocked 56 for the Bee Gees. Richard Cox hit the best score of the night - a splendid 63 - but it was not enough. Bell Green 382, Shooters 366.

Home Guard II got back to winning ways with a 32-pin success against Club Rockers at the Football Club. with Kristian Thorne top scoring for the home team with 50. Cetan Hyland was the player of the match with 52 for the Rockers. Home Guard II 348, Club Rockers 316.

Queens Legs put Report Centre A to the sword with a big 68-pin win on the upstairs alley at the Conservative Club. Jack Mason was the top scorer of the match with 59 for the home outfit. M Hobbs was top score with 48 for Report Centre A who will definitely finish bottom of the table. Queens Legs 393, Report Centre A 325.

Rebels squeezed home against Hot Shots by three pins with Chris Plant scoring 50 for the winners. Rebels 349, Hot Shots 346.

Meanwhile, it is with deep sadness that the league remembers Terry Maidment, who died peacefully on Thursday 8th May at the age of 91.

The league said: “Terry was a stalwart of the local skittles community and a cherished member of the Shooters team, which he captained with great pride for over 30 years. Under his leadership, Shooters enjoyed notable success, most memorably winning the old Division A title (now known as the Gerald Thorne Championship) in the 1998/99 season and lifting the Payne Challenge Cup in 1985/86—triumphs that remain special in the team’s history.

“In the mid-2010s, Terry passed the captain’s reins to his son Stephen, yet his involvement never waned. He continued to support the team and mark the scoreboard right up until 2020. Terry will be remembered not just for his commitment and achievements on the alley, but for the warmth, encouragement, and sportsmanship he brought to every match. He was a true gentleman of the game.”