RELYON and Bell Green stay level on points at the top of Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Gerald Thorne Championship after winning their latest away matches - both by 16 pins.

Scores - Shooters 366, Relyon 382: Relyon proved too strong for Shooters on the downstairs alley at the Victoria Arms. Alan Sydenham top scored for Shooters with 51 while Mike Hutchings steered the bedding boys to victory with a fine 58 to keep the title race wide open.

OBA 361, Bell Green 377: Bell Green were made to work hard by OBA before winning in the upstairs derby at the Vic. Paul Beer impressed with a splendid 61 for OBA while Julian Jones knocked a crucial 55 for the Bee Gees.

Hot Shots 346, Holywell Lake 358: Holywell Lake kept in touch with the top two - just three points off the pace - with a 12-pin success against Hot Shots at the Conservative Club. Edd Chivers’ 54 was the bright spot for Hot Shots while captain Steve Dawson’s 56 proved crucial for the Lakers.

Cottage Pies 341, Reservists 365: The Pies hopes of staying in touch with the leaders suffered a big blow when they lost by 24 pins to Reservists who maintained their recent good form. Jordon Perry was the top skittler for the Pies with 47 while Phil Powell was the game’s star with a splendid 63.

Queens Legs 393, Home Guard II 361: Queens Legs picked ups convincing 32-pin victory with one of the performances of the week at the Conservative Club, with captain Daren Mason being their leading skittler with 63. Chris Winter knocked 52 for Home Guard II.

Club Rockers 316, Rebels 368: Rebels overcame the Rockers by 52 pins after being steered to victory by Chris Plant who hit 59. Former X-man Mark Reeves scored 45 for Rockers.

Fireguard A 329, Oaks 328: Fireguard A gained a dramatic one-pin win over Oaks with Mike Davis scoring a vital 53 for the winners. Oaks’ leading scorer was Mike Shire with 46.

Meanwhile, there’s no holding back Ex-Servicemen who maintained their 100 per cent record in the Chris Bullock Championship with a 23-pin away win over Scuppas - with Adrian Coles top scoring for the leaders with 54. Roger Howe knocked 55 for Scuppas. Scores: Scuppas 357 Ex-Servicemen 380.

Here 4 the Beer 309, Mowers 364: Mowers continued their push near the top of the table with a convincing win over their rivals. Ben Price scored 45 for Here 4 the Beer while Vince Milton was tops for Mowers with 51.

Odds & Ends 381, United Services 371: Dan Smith and Rob Stanyard both hit 55s for the home side at the Vic, while Phil John was Services’ top skittler with 49.

King Pins 379, All Stars 337: King Pins produced a fine display to see off All Stars at the Football Club, keeping them in joint third spot with 19 points. Dave Houston was the standout performer for the Pins with a fine 52, while Paul Desborough scored 51 for Stars.

WRFC 329, Nynehead Club 334: Nynehead Club edged a tight contest on the downstairs alley at the Conservative Club with Dave Pow hitting 49 for the rugby boys, and Charlie Cable 48 for the winners.

Home Guard IV 372, Outsiders 378: Outsiders won another close match with Alvin Bellamy’s 54 proving decisive. Dan Peters scored 49 for the losers.