ACTION in Wellington Ex-Service Skittles League took a break as the round of 16 matches in the HWH Challenge Cup were contested over two nights.

Highlights included the defeat of the Gerald Thorne Championship champions Bell Green who were knocked out by Club Rockers and WRFC and Relyon playing out a high scoring thriller with over 850 pins knocked in the match. Scores:

Foresters 360 v Holywell Lake 385: A sparkling score of 60 from Steve Dowson, saw the 2024 champions Holywell Lake ease past Foresters on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Foresters did not make it easy for the ‘Lakers with Greg Browne and Simon Wall both hitting 49.

Outsiders 386 v Fireguard A 372: A strong third, fourth and fifth hands of 69, 70 and 71 saw Outsiders beat Fireguard A by 14 at the Nynehead Club. Good skittling with Gerry Larcombe hitting a fine 62 and Ernie Windsor 59, enabled Outsiders to post a score that was just out of reach of Fireguard A who battled to the end with Lewis McAteer hitting a fine 58 closely followed by Olly Hayes with 56.

Scuppas 382 v Odds and Ends 381: Craig Newstead with a sterling 58 led the way for 2025 winners Scuppas. Odds and Ends matched Scuppas all the way to fall agonisingly short despite a fine effort from Rob Stanyard who hit 58.

United Services 344 v Shooters 341: Another tight match, this time on the downstairs alley of the Conservative Club saw United Services squeeze past Shooters by three pins. Spares were at a premium making every pin vital. A hard working 48 from Ian Smith top scored for the Services while in reply Nathan Harcombe hit a splendid 51 for the Shooters.

Bell Green 328 v Club Rockers 340: Club Rockers pulled off the shock of the night when they defeated the GT Championship title holders and current league leaders by 12 pins on the downstairs alley of the Conservative Club. Ashley Colman led the way for the Bee Gees with a fine 52 while Mark Reeves top scored for the Rockers with a workman like 49.

King Pins 313 v Hot Shots 334 : The Pins struggled from the off at the Institute and things did not get much better in the second half of the match. Jason Lockyer stood out for the Pins with a a top score of 45 while Alex Govier led the way for the Shots with an excellent 53.

Nynehead Club 356 v Home Guard II 370: Both teams adapted to the small sized alley well at the Conservative Club and put on an exciting show. Brendan Winter was the star man for Home Guard II with 54 while Dan Mancini hit a solid 52 for Nynehead Club.

Relyon 424 v W. R. F. C. 429: Relyon and Rugby Club played out the highest scoring tie of the round at the White Horse. The Bedding Boys had two players hit 60-plus scores with Mike Hutchings scoring 61 and Jason Hayes 67, while the Rugby Boys had John Lane knocking 69 but Steve Rea took the honours with 71.

Draw for the quarter finals (venues to be confirmed) 26th and 27th November: United Services v Hot Shots, Holywell Lake v Club Rockers, W.R.F.C. v Outsiders, Scuppas v Home Guard II.

Marc Bright.