RELYON have gained a thrilling six-pin away win over Holywell Lake to go level on points with Bell Green at the top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship.

Playing at the Vic, Scott Pincombe top scored for the Lakers with 54 but Rob Higgs’ superb 59 proved decisive for the bedding boys with seven matches remaining in a very competitive division. Defeat left the home side trailing their rivals by five points. Scores: Holywell Lake 387, Relyon 393.

Fireguard A 341, Club Rockers 337: In another close match, Fireguard A squeezed home by four pins against lowly Rockers at the Football Club - thanks to Olly Hayes’ 52. Steve Barker hit 46 for Rockers.

Report Centre A 346, Queens Legs 412: Queens Legs produced one of the standout displays of the week, powering to a convincing 66-pin victory over the division’s bottom side with Jack Mason stealing the show with a splendid 65. Pat Bright knocked 54 for the losers.

Oaks 349, Home Guard II 361: Ben Navarra was another skittler in form, hitting 62 but still finished on the losing side as Home Guard II won by 12 pins with Richard Henwood hitting 54.

Reservists 371, Rebels 339: Reservists strengthened their position in the top four with a comfortable 32-pin win at the Institute with Neil Sparks leading the way with a fine 56. Howard Elliott knocked 51 for Rebels.

Hot Shots 361, OBA 326: Richard Chivers steered Hot Shots to a 35-pin victory with an excellent 58, anchoring the home side to victory. Scott Sloman scored 50 for OBA.

Cottage Pies 363, Shooters 335: Tom Mattravers’ impressive 57 was the outstanding score for the home side in their 28-pin success at the Cottage, while this was matched by the same score by Alan Sydenham for Shooters.

Meanwhile, Mowers edged closer to winning the Chris Bullock Shield (for runners up) after they beat mid-table All Stars away by seven pins in a tight match at the Vic. Liam Desborough scored an impressive 59 for the home side while Darren Winter hit a match-winning 58 for Mowers. Scores: All Stars 370, Mowers 377.

Foresters 418, United Services 387: Foresters were in fine form in the White Horse derby, beating United Services by 31 pins with Colin Shepherd scoring an excellent 63, while Adam Howe knocked 53 for the Services.

Scuppas 358, Home Guard IV 312: Scuppas made the most of home advantage to beat Home Guard IV by 46 pins - with John Barker top scoring with a composed 55, while Mark Salter replied with 45 for the visitors.

Nynehead Club 361, Outsiders 380: Outsiders produced a strong away display to beat Nynehead Club by 19 pins with skipper Paul McCarten leading his side to a 19-pin success with a good 51. Dan Manicini’s 54 was not enough for Nynehead Club to record a home win.

WRFC 351, Here for the Beer 334: The rugby boys secured a solid 17-pin victory over Here 4 the Beer with a steady performance at the Conservative Club with Dave Pow (51) being their top skittler. Elliott Broom hit 46 for the losers.

King Pins 368, Odds & Ends 336: King Pins secured a convincing 32-pin win over bottom side Odds & Ends at the Football Club with Paul Winter (53) being in good form. Captain Nick Timewell and Rob Stanyard struck 50s for Odds & Ends.