EX-SERVICEMEN have lost their 100 per cent record in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris Bullock Championship - by one pin in their very last match of the season!

Having won all 23 of the league matches, they went to the Football Club to play King Pins but were just edged out in a thrilling game as Shane Powell’s 54 proved crucial. Geoff Hamlyn hit 50 for the X-men who were five to the good at the half-way mark. Scores: Kings Pins 370, Ex-Servicemen 369.

Scuppas 346, Mowers 367: Mowers closed out their runners-up season with a 21-pin win at the Cottage with Steve Foster steering them to victory with 53. Adrian Newstead scored 55 for Scuppas.

Foresters 416, Nynehead Club 361: Foresters signed off with a big 55-pin victory at the White Horse Inn with Aron Lockyer stealing the show with a superb 68. Darren Davis hit 53 for the Club.

WRFC 329, Outsiders 338: Outsiders edged a tight contest at the Conservative Club, winning by nine pins in a closely fought match on the downstairs alley. Outsiders captain Paul McCarten was joined by Rob Larcombe in top scoring for their side, while Dave Pow knocked 50 for WRFC.

Home Guard IV 387, United Services 349: Home Guard IV produced one of their best displays of the season to win by 38 pins on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Gary White knocked a fine 56 for the home side while Ben Gamlin scored 50 for the Services.

Here 4 the Beer 339, Odds & Ends 320: Here 4 the Beer ended their season with a 19-pin success over wooden spoonists Odds & Ends at the Institute with Elliott Broom (50) top scoring for the hosts. Pete Wratten’s 42 was the leading score for the losers.

Meanwhile, Bell Green went big to beat Report Centre A by 32 pins away to maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Gerald Thorne Championship. Simon Rudd’s 58 helped anchor a well-rounded display by Bee’Gees as the leaders passed the 400-pin mark. David Bennett impressed with 61 for Report Centre A. Scores: Report Centre A 376, Bell Green 408.

Fireguard A 344, Relyon 377: Relyon kept firmly in the title hunt with a solid 33-pin victory away to Fireguard A at the Football Club. Mike Hutchings hit 75 - the highest away score of the season - to lead his team to victory. Mike Davis scored 54 for Fireguard A.

Oaks 358, Holywell Lake 360: Holywell Lake gained a thrilling two-pin win at the Blue Ball with Gary Regan’s 54 proving crucial for the Lakers. Steven Burge scored 53 for Oaks.

Shooters 380, Club Rockers 361: Shooters produced a strong display to beat the Rockers at the Victoria Arms with Alan Sydenham’s excellent 59 helping guide the home side to a good total. Gary McGowan’s 52 was the best effort the Rockers who hit a decent score but were unable to match the Shooters’ consistency.

Cottage Pies 351, Rebels 358: Rebels edged a narrow three-pin victory to take the Cottage derby bragging right and knock the Pies out of the title race. Howard Elliott and Chris Southcott hit 50s for Rebels while Lewis May scored 49 for Pies.

Hot Shots 338, Home Guard II 322: Gary Pepper’s 51 proved the key in a low scoring game, while Kieran Hagan (49) was the Shot’s top scorer.