AS WELLINGTON Bowling Club approaches the halfway point in the indoor season, teams in the Afternoon League are bowling their best to make sure they are well placed in the league table.

All eight teams played during the past week. Trailblazers showed why they are leaders by beating sixth placed Demons. Third placed Eagles won against fifth placed Yzeds. Blackbirds managed a close victory against Badgers and bottom of the table Ninchers won against second placed Hopefuls.

Tony Gibson's Trailblazers showed no mercy against Ron Elston's Demons. After six ends they led by 15 shots to 1. Demons started to fight back in the second half but it was too little too late and Trailblazers won it comfortably 33 - 7.

Darren Sparks' second placed Hopefuls began well in their match against Ninchers. After five ends they led by 8 shots to 2 and looked to have the winning of it but by the thirteenth end the teams were level on 12 shots apiece with just one to play. In the last end, eighth placed Ninchers collected the all important three shots to win the game 15 – 12.

Nick Channon's Eagles were in fine form against Chris Thorne's Yzeds. They led 15 – 1 after eight ends and although Yzeds picked up a few shots late on the Eagles took a comfortable victory by 19 shots to 5.

The last match between Shirley Samuel's Badgers and Martin Speakman's Blackbirds was a game of two halves. After six ends the Blackbirds led 14 – 3 and looked in complete control but by the tenth Badgers were only 3 shots behind, 14 – 11. Then the tables turned again and Blackbirds grabbed four shots to pinch it on the line 18 – 11.

Meanwhile Nick Channon, one of the club’s top bowlers, has diclosed he will be withdrawing from individual competition due to a forthcoming hip operation.