COWBOYS moved within two points of Division 1 leaders Poachers after their defeat of the Bombers by 21 pins at the Lympsham Pavillion, in the Highbridge & District Skittles League.

Nick Morgan 76, Pat Hancock 75 and Brian Gooding 72 lifted the Cowboys to a total of 504. Only Ernie King returned figures of note with 71 for the Bombers, who will now need to perform miracles if they are to finish in the top two for the 28th consecutive season.

At the top, only two points separate the top five teams, and the sixth place team Shunters have matches in hand, as do the leaders Poachers, who must be favourites now after their 21-pin victory over the Gunners at the Lighthouse Inn, Stuart Smith 78 and Darren Marsden 72 top scored for The Poachers.

The Lads made it four wins from their last five matches after they were victorious at the Pawlett Legion defeating the Tryer’s by 31 pins. Mike Skelding 78 and Steve Puddy 72 were the main contributors to a fine total of 523.

In Division 2, leaders Little Acorns found the Berrow Club alley to their disliking as they could only muster a miserable total of 359 as they were well beaten by Hedejumpers, who now move into second place.

Crown Criminals’ veteran skittler Don Burrow had a 26 double flopper at the Crown Inn but very little else in his total of 68; he was pipped for the top score by another veteran, the sly dog Dereck Kidner, who finished with a 16 and 17 floppers to finish on 71.

Crown’s sixth hand was a 96 which included Burrow’s 26; it pulled 27 and set up a 14-pin victory.

At the Coopers Arms, Four Finger Club and Rogues finished all square on 447 pins apiece, which might prove a very valuable point for Rogues as they remain only a point behind the leaders.

In Division 3, the top two teams, White Rebels and Outsiders, met at the Basonbridge Inn and it was the home side White Rebels who prevail by 11, despite Nick Gosling’s 72 for Outsiders.

Rebels are now two points clear at the top.

Misfits skittler Paul Bagg was in fine fettle at the Railway Inn – he started off 14,16,14,16, before the beer took effect! He finished on 83, which helped his team to a 37-pin victory over the Ghosttrains.

In Division 4, Rafascals leap up into second place after they defeated Lymp Dicks by 30 at the Pawlett Pavillion.

Bellends have only lost once in 2015 and that fine form continued at Highbridge Social Club where they proved 36 too strong for the Top House.