Ex-Servicemen continued their unbeaten season on Thursday with yet another win to complete the league and cup double in Wellington Ex-Services Skittles League.
Chris Bullock Championship
Ex-Servicemen 388, Mowers 326
Ex-Servicemen were crowned champions in emphatic fashion, defeating title rivals Mowers by 62 pins at the Cottage to seal the double with five games still remaining. The leaders have shown tremendous consistency, extending their unbeaten run to 19 league games — 24 in all competitions including their cup success. Lee Baker’s excellent 57 set the tone in a composed and clinical team performance, where the X-Men picked up their pins on a night when eights and nines were as valuable as spares. Mowers found the alley tough going and trailed by 35 pins at the halfway stage. Vince Milton’s 46 was the best reply for the visitors on a difficult night.
WRFC 326, Scuppas 305
Rugby Club secured a valuable 21-pin win over Scuppas in a low-scoring encounter at the Conservative Club. Andy Thorne’s 53 was the pick of the WRFC scores, helping to guide the hosts to a solid victory. John Barker’s 54 was the highlight for Scuppas on a tough night. Neither side found their usual rhythm, but Rugby Club did enough across the match to secure an important result.
Foresters 371, Here 4 the Beer 401
Here 4 the Beer claimed an impressive away win, outscoring Foresters by 30 pins at the White Horse Inn. John Chim’s 50 was the best of the home scores, but Foresters were off their usual pace. Ben Price was the star of the show with an excellent 62, helping Here 4 the Beer surge past the 400 mark and take the three points on offer. A statement win against strong opposition.
All Stars 402, Odds and Ends 355
All Stars produced one of their strongest displays of the season to record a convincing 47-pin victory over Odds and Ends in the Victoria Arms derby. Owen Milton led the charge with a superb 58 as the hosts broke the 400 mark in style, building steady pressure throughout the night. Odds and Ends had the standout individual performance of the match thanks to Rob Stanyard’s excellent 61, but they were unable to match All Stars’ consistency as the game slipped away from them.
Nynehead Club 380, United Services 341
Nynehead Club delivered a confident home performance to defeat United Services by 39 pins. Nynehead skipper Tom O’Neill led the way with an excellent 59 as the hosts maintained consistent scoring across the board. Paul Fancy hit a 59 of his own in reply for United Services, but despite his efforts, the visitors struggled to build the total needed to challenge Nynehead’s strong performance.
King Pins 355, Home Guard IV 354
King Pins edged the tightest match of the night, sneaking past Home Guard IV by a single pin. Shane Powell’s composed 54 proved vital for the hosts, giving them just enough of a cushion. Greg Harrison’s 52 kept Home Guard IV firmly in contention throughout, and the contest went right down to the final hand. However, Home Guard IV were left to rue missed pins as King Pins just about held on. A great game which could have gone either way.
Gerald Thorne Championship
Bell Green 392, Rebels 348
Bell Green maintained their push for the title with a commanding 44-pin victory over Rebels on the upstairs alley of the Victoria Arms, a result which sees them go joint top with Relyon. Jason Powell led from the front with a polished 57 as the Bee Gees built early momentum and never looked back. Rebels had bright moments through Charlie Knight and Howard Elliott, who both hit 50, but the visitors struggled to contain Bell Green’s consistency across the board.
Holywell Lake 369, Home Guard II 374
Home Guard II produced one of the surprises of the round, edging Holywell Lake by five pins at the Victoria Arms and putting a significant dent in the Lakers’ title hopes. Scott Pincombe and Ryan Skeels both hit 50 for the hosts, who posted a competitive total, albeit below their usual standards. However, Macca Campbell’s superb 65 proved decisive, giving Home Guard II the boost they needed to get over the line and claim the points on offer.
Cottage Pies 364, Hot Shots 338
Cottage Pies secured a comfortable 26-pin victory over Hot Shots at the Cottage, with Jordan Perry leading the way with a strong 54. Alan Brooks’ 47 was the best return for Hot Shots, but they struggled to match Cottage Pies’ solid scoring and the game quickly slipped away from them. An important win for Cottage Pies, who will hope to carry this momentum into their back match with Home Guard II on Saturday night.
Cottage Pies 346, Home Guard II 353 (back match)
Both sides went into this fixture on the back of good wins the previous night, but it was Home Guard II who followed up their earlier success with another impressive away victory, edging Cottage Pies by seven pins at the Cottage in Saturday night’s rearranged match. Lee Ellis’s 53 gave the hosts a fighting chance in a low-scoring contest, but Richard Henwood’s superb 59 for Home Guard II proved the key contribution. The result capped a productive week for Home Guard II and slightly halted Cottage Pies’ momentum in the race for top spot.
Reservists 393, Queens Legs 374
Reservists delivered a strong home performance to overcome Queens Legs by 19 pins at the Institute. Youngster Jacob Sparks was in fine form with an excellent 58, anchoring a Reservists total which kept steady pressure on the visitors. Alex Conway replied with an impressive 57 for Queens Legs, but Reservists’ depth told over the course of the evening as they strengthened their position in the top half.
Report Centre A 351, Shooters 394
Shooters produced an outstanding performance to secure a convincing 43-pin win away at Report Centre A at the White Horse. Keith Harcombe stole the show with a magnificent 70, including a double flopper 25, as Shooters powered clear. David Bennett’s 56 was a bright spark for Report Centre A, but they were unable to live with the visitors’ heavy scoring. A big match awaits Report Centre A next as they face Club Rockers in a bottom-of-the-table clash at the Institute — a win for either side could prove vital in the battle to avoid finishing bottom.
Fireguard A 350, OBA 354
OBA claimed a narrow four-pin victory in a finely balanced contest with Fireguard A at the Football Club. Olly Hayes’ excellent 55 set the platform for the hosts, who posted a good score on the challenging alley. Scott Sloman responded with a classy 56 for OBA, helping his side edge ahead in the closing stages to take the game and the points.
Oaks 362, Club Rockers 349
Oaks secured a solid 13-pin win over Club Rockers in a competitive match at the Blue Ball. Oaks captain Ashley Bright’s 50 helped set the tone for the hosts, who gradually built a steady lead over the course of the match. Rockers skipper Ed Holtum’s 52 kept the visitors in touch, but Oaks’ overall consistency proved decisive as they closed out the win.
Highest Away Scores
Top Team – Here 4 the Beer, 401 at the White Horse Inn (Bradford).
Top Player – Keith Harcombe, 70 for Shooters at the White Horse Inn.
League Tables
Fixtures
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday
Outsiders v Ex-Servicemen at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Odds and Ends v Foresters at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Mowers v Nynehead Club at the Football Club
Here 4 the Beer v King Pins at the RG Institute
Home Guard IV v WRFC at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
United Services v All Stars at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday
Shooters v Fireguard A at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
OBA v Cottage Pies at the Victoria Arms (Upstairs)
Relyon v Bell Green at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Rebels v Holywell Lake at the Cottage Inn
Club Rockers v Report Centre A at the RG Institute
Home Guard II v Reservists at the Football Club
Queens Legs v Oaks at the Conservative Club (Upstairs)
Chris Bullock Championship – Thursday, 5th March
WRFC v Here 4 the Beer at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
All Stars v Mowers at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Nynehead Club v Outsiders at the Nynehead Club
Scuppas v Home Guard IV at the Cottage Inn
Foresters v United Services at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
King Pins v Odds and Ends at the Football Club
Gerald Thorne Championship – Friday, 6th March 2026
Holywell Lake v Relyon at the Victoria Arms (Downstairs)
Fireguard A v Club Rockers at the Football Club
Report Centre A v Queens Legs at the White Horse Inn (Bradford)
Oaks v Home Guard II at the Blue Ball
Reservists v Rebels at the R G Institute
Hot Shots v OBA at the Conservative Club (Downstairs)
Cottage Pies v Shooters at the Cottage Inn
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