COTTAGE Pies took full advantage of Bell Green’s week off by narrowing the gap at the top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship, securing a convincing win over Shooters on the Victoria Arms’ downstairs alley.

After a disappointing exit from the Ken Bright Cup, the Pies responded in style to claim a 33-pin victory. The win sees Cottage Pies leapfrog Holywell Lake into second place and puts them right in the mix for the title.

Elsewhere, there was late drama at the Conservative Club as Relyon edged out champions Holywell Lake.

Scores - Shooters 358, Cottage Pies 391: The Pies moved up to within two points of top spot with Sam Vile hitting 64 - the highest away score of the week - for the visitors after Keith Harcombe had knocked 52 for Shooters.

Relyon 356, Holywell Lake 355: Relyon beat the champions by one pin on the downstairs alley at the Conservative Club with Rob Higgs scoring 57 for the Bedders while Lew Newberry (55) was the leading scorer for the Lakers.

Home Guard II 339, Oaks 321: Home Guard II bounced back to winning form with an 18-pin victory at the football club with the inform Kristian Thorne scoring 49 for the winners while Mike Shire was tops for the Oaks with 47.

Rebels 369, Reservists 342: Rebels skipper John Sellick scored 57 as his side gained a shock 27-pin win over Reservists at the Cottage. Phil Powell hit 51 for Reservists who suffered only their second loss of the season.

OBA 353, Hot Shots 343: Rob Billet knocked a match-winning hand of 61 as OBA beat Hot Shots by ten pins at the upstairs alley at the Vic. Alex Govier scored 56 for Hot Shots.

Queens Legs 374, Report Centre A 358: Queens won by 16 pins on the upstairs Conservative Club alley with Stuart Sutton hitting 56 while Derek Parsons scored 55 for RCA.

Club Rockers 349, Fireguard A 301: Rockers picked up their first win of the season with skipper Eddy Houltem scoring 48, while Olly Hayes hit 46 for the losers.

Chris Bullock Championship - Ex-Servicemen 378, Outsiders 353: Ex-Servicemen made it eight wins from eight matches, over-turning a half-time deficit with Lee Baker scoring two second-half spares in his 63 with Ron Smith (57) in good form for Outsiders.

Nynehead Club 338, Mowers 365: Mowers leapfrogged their opponents with this win over Nynehead Club with Vince Milton leading the way with 51 while Jim Compton top scored for the home side with 49.

All Stars 371, United Services 351: All Stars moved to joint fourth with this 20-pin success with Liam Desborough being their top scorer with 50, while Paul Fancy went one-pin better for the Services.

Foresters 409, Odds & Ends 366: Foresters showed how good they can be at home as they went big to see off Odds and Ends at the White Hart with Greg Browne being their stand-out skittler with 61. Steward Floyd knocked 56 for the losers.

King Pins 339, Here 4 the Beer 307: King Pins saw off Here 4 the Beer by 32 pins with John Norman leading the way with 50 while Will Brewer scored 47 for H4tB.

WRFC 345, Home Guard IV: The rugby boys got through a tricky fixture with Dave Pow on form with 47 while Pete Spencer scored 45 in the Home Guard chase.