THE Old Codgers have been top of the Wellington men’s league almost from the start of the season.

Last week they were five points clear of their nearest rivals, Hemyock.

But Jez Harvey, Bill Brett, Joe Dixon and Matt Geraghty’s Old Codgers were given a surprise when they met up with Malcolm Warren, Vic Horne, Nick Channon and Geoff Stamp’s bottom of the table Newbees.

After 12 ends the two teams were level on eight shots each. But the Codgers showed their pedigree by picking up three shots in the final four ends against Newbees’ one to take the game at the line 11-9.

Hemyock were third when they did battle with fifth- placed Wellington 4s and they too were in for a surprise.

Bert Gamlin, Mike Lockyer, Bert Lovell and Ken Brown’s 4s laid into them with a will and were soon 9-4 up.

Gilbert Chown, Gordon Brown, Tony Drawert helped their Hemyock skip, Ray Smith, to fight back, but it was too little too late and Wellington 4s won 13-7.

K. Foweraker, Brian Phillips, Paul Kelly and Terry Dickens’ Wellington 2s were involved in a really close tussle with Garfield Taylor, Dennis Courtney, Mike Groves and Martin Speakman’s Wiveliscombe.

With all still to play for on the final end, Wellington held three shots with only the skips to play.

Then with perfect timing Speakman sneaked in to pick up shot bowl with his final wood to secure a 10-8 victory and lift his side to second in the table.