PAYNE Challenge Cup holders Scuppas continued their strong start to the season with victory over Mowers in this season’s competition , while Holywell Lake impressed with the highest score of the round in their emphatic win against Home Guard IV.

United Services 349, Bell Green 342: United Services beat Bell Green on the downstairs alley of the Conservative Club with Paul John hitting 56 for the Thursday night side. Bell Green saw Julian Jones knock 49, but the Bee Gees fell just short.

Scuppas 355, Mowers 344: Scuppas, riding high after their Jim Blackmore Champions Cup win, saw Craig Newstead hit 55 at the Institute while Vince Milton was tops for Mowers with 50.

Report Centre A 328, Outsiders 355: Outsiders saw off Report Centre A at the Vic (upstairs) with Gerry Larcombe top scorer with 56. RCA saw Derek Parsons hit 48 in their six hands, but the Friday night side found it tough going.

Holywell Lake 386, Home Guard IV 315: Holywell Lake are through after a mammoth 71 pin victory at the Blue Ball. Dave Howell and Scott Newberry were top scorers for the Lakers with solid 54s. Pete Spencer played well for his 48 in the HGIV reply.

Fireguard A 331, OBA 306: Fireguard A gained a 25-pin win over OBA at Nynehead Club. Will Leak found the Nynehead track to his liking with 52 for Fireguard A. Jason Vincent hit 49 for OBA but it was not nearly enough.

Ex-Servicemen 381, Oaks 337: X-Men started off the new campaign with a 44-pin win over Oaks at the Vic (downstairs). Ricky Baker scored a great 56 for Ex-Servicemen while Steven Burge hit 56 for Oaks, but they could not match the consistency of X-Men.

Queens Leg 324, Shooters 364: Keith Harcombe was player of the match with 51 for Shooters while Marcus Watkin scored 47 for Queens Legs.

King Pins 355, All Stars 372: All Stars advance to the next round after a 17-pin win over King Pins on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Matt Horne scored 57 for King Pins, while Owen Milton knocked 54 for All Stars.

Nynehead Club 320, Here 4 the Beer 326: Here 4 the Beer came away with a 6-pin win at the Cottage. Andy and Rob had both hit 45 for Nynehead while Fin Jennings knocked a cracking 58 for H4tB.

Cottage Pies 372, Relyon 380: Relyon knocked out Cottage Pies with just eight pins separating the sides on the downstairs Victoria Arms alley. Jordan Perry hit a great 61 for the Pies while Jason Hayes scored 60 for Relyon.

Foresters 337, Club Rockers 354: Club Rockers win by 17 pins as they beat Foresters on the upstairs alley of the Vic. Greg Browne had scored 48 for Foresters who found the alley tough going. Chris Hemming was top scorer with his 59 for the Rockers.

Rebels 346, Home Guard II 354: Home Guard II started their campaign with an eight-pin win over Rebels at the White Horse. John Sellick scored 54 for Rebels. while Andy Davey hit 48 for HGII.

Second round draw, Thursday 25 September: United Services v. Hot Shots, Scuppas v Outsiders, Ex-Servicemen v Odds and Ends, All Stars v Here 4 the Beer. Friday 26 September: Holywell Lake v Fireguard A, Reservists v Shooters, Relyon v. WRFC, Club Rockers v Home Guard II.