SCUPPAS, holders of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Payne Cup, are out of this season’s competition after a 34-pin defeat against Ex-Servicemen at the Institute.

Scuppas found the alley tough going in the opening two hands with scores of 58 and 53, but they rallied in the third hand with John Barker’s 16 spare mixed with some very tidy skittling seeing Scuppas hit an imposing 71.

The X-Men opened with scores of 79 and two 68s – with Geoff Hamlyn scoring three spares and Adrian Perry 16 - as they led by 33 pins at half time.

Nick Payne hit 24 as he helped Scuppas to a 73 hand to start, with hands of 59 and 65 to follow. Payne was the pick of the Scuppas players with a well-deserved 62.

The second half was a far more even affair with only one-pin separating the sides, with the X-Men hitting 76, 58 and 64 to post the biggest score at the Institute this season. Hamlyn hit the score of the match with a superb 68. Scuppas 379, Ex-Servicemen 413.

Meanwhile, it was a close affair in the other semi-final between Here 4 the Beer and WRFC, with just two pins separating the sides.

The Cottage has proved a tricky alley this season, with sides struggling to find consistency, but this made for a great contest between the Thursday night sides. Elliott Broom was the top scorer for Here 4 the Beer, hitting a solid 50 and helping them to a good score.

Rugby Club, looking to reach their second cup final in as many seasons, saw Andy Thorne hit an all-important 51 as they crept over the line. A good win for Rugby Club, who have found some good form in the cup this season. Here 4 the Beer 346, WRFC 348.

The final will be played on Wednesday, January 28, venue TBC.