KING Pins maintained their fine start to the season in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League’s Chris Bullock Championship with an 18-pin victory over Scuppas at the Cottage.

Shane Powell was the top scorer for the winners with an excellent 55, helping King Pins post a solid total. Craig Newstead led Scuppas challenge with 53. Scores: Scuppas 370, King Pins 388.

All Stars 397, Odds and Ends 361: All Stars share top spot with the Pins after they produced another impressive home performance to claim a 36-pin victory over Odds and Ends. Jamie Milton, the home side’s captain, was in excellent form with a superb 61 on the upstairs alley of the Conservative Club. James Jones, Dan Smith and Pete Wratten shared their side's top score of 49.

Mowers 344, Ex-Servicemen 360: Champions Ex-Servicemen are four points behind the joint leaders with a game in hand after they came away with a 16-pin victory over Mowers at the Football Club. X-Men skipper Adrian Perry led the way with a fine 59 while Darren Winter (58) was Mowers’ leading skittler.

Here 4 the Beer 341, Home Guard IV 351: Home Guard IV picked up a ten-pin victory over Here 4 the Beer in a closely contested match on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms. Will Brewer was top scorer for Here 4 the Beer with a fine 53, while Will Smith led the way for the visitors with 47.

Foresters 402, Nynehead Club 391: Foresters secured a hard-fought 11-pin win over Nynehead Club at the White Horse. Aron Lockyer (69) was the standout performer for Foresters, while Lewis Sparks (53) top-scored for the Club.

Outsiders 346, United Services 358: United Services claimed a 12-pin win over Outsiders with Andy Gamlin, Ben Gamlin and Simon Gamlin all recording 47s. Outsiders were led by Martyn Sharland, Ron Smith and Dave Burston, who each scored good 50s.

Meanwhile, Rebels are up to fifth in the Gerald Thorne Championship - they are two points behind joint leaders Bell Green and Holywell Lake having played the same number of games - after squeezing home by two pins away to Queens Legs with Charlie Knight’s 50 proving crucial. Colin Francis hit 49 for Queens Legs. Queens Legs 363, Rebels 365.

Home Guard II 375, Shooters 328: Richard Henwood was in excellent form for the winners, producing a superb 58 while Shooters' Keith Harcombe knocked 59 for Shooters.

Holywell Lake 393, Fireguard A 363: Holywell Lake claimed a 30-pin win over Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms. Dave Howell and Terry Dowson shared the top score for the Lakers with excellent 55s while Ben Sellick scored 52 for the losers.

Report Centre A 361, Cottage Pies 393: The Pies secured a comfortable 32-pin victory with Dan Thorne and Paul Robinson scoring good 55s while A Froounks (53) was tops for the losers.

OBA 369, Hot Shots 379: Alex Govier (56) was in fine form for the visitors on the upstairs alley at the Vic, while Paul Beer recorded an excellent 57 for OBA.

Relyon 345, Oaks 339: Relyon picked up a six-pin victory over Oaks with Jason Hayes hitting a fine 50, while Ashley Bright knocked 51 for Oaks.

Reservists 346, Club Rockers 323: Reservists claimed a 23-pin victory over Club Rockers in the Institute derby with Kevin Sedgebeer scoring 50 while Chris Hemming also scored 50 for the Rockers.