THE top two teams in Division One met at the Ritz Social Club and produced one of the matches of the season in the Highbridge and District Skittles League.

Cowboys edged out leaders The Lads by three pins, 562-565, in a high-scoring match.

The Lads opened up with exactly 100 but Cowboys replied with 94.

After further hands of 88, 85 and 80, the Cowboys found themselves 27 down.

But a fifth hand of 92 reduced the deficit to six and a further hand of 80 put the pressure back on The Lads.

The Lads crumbled, leaving The Cowboys only 66 to win, which they neverously got to close the gap at the top to a single point.

Steve Puddy top scored with 85 for The Lads while his namesake Max Puddy replied with 81.

The fortress at the Bristol Bridge is creaking.

Bombers suffered a 33-pin defeat to Lighthouse Boys and are now in serious danger of not finishing in the top two for the first time in 21 years.

Chris Tuck scored a fine 72 for the Boys.

Paul Coles scored 91, including a 25 double flopper, as the Sleepers beat the Misfits by six at the Ritz.

The win keeps them out of the relegation battle but condems the Misfits to Division Two next year.

Gunners boosted their chances of survival after they defeated the Tryer’s by 20 at the Pawlett Legion, Gareth Evans top-scoring with 74.

In Division Two, the title will be between the Odds and Ends and the Brent Knoll Inn.

Odds and Ends scored a huge 545 at the Social Club as they beat Nobby’s One by 26.

Ryan Bird (82) outshone father Jerry (74) while Harry Symis and Martin Turner chipped in with 72 and 70. John Reasons hit 80 for Nobby’s One.

Brent Knoll Inn thumped the Snurgers by 78 at the Knoll, with Graham Hoskins (81) in fine fettle.

Outcasts beat Radio Social by a pin at the BAS Club, a 15 spare by veteran Eric Gass sealing victory.

At the bottom Berrow Hotel have now won three on the trot after they annihilated Four Finger Club by 74 at the Oak Tree.

Fred Marsh started with four spares as he scored 83.

In Division Three, it looks like Bobbetts Burntouts’ title.

They beat the Bombardiers by 40 at the Bristol Bridge and are six points clear of the Juniors, who defeated Alleycats by 41 at the Oak Tree.

Rafascals and the Poachers are only a point behind the Juniors.

Rafascals beat Accrington Stanley by 12 at the Pawlett Pavilion and the Poachers were 20 too good for the Crown Crininals at the Crossways Hotel.

Jim Vernacombe (78) and Paul Manktelow (77) were the Poachers’ heroes.

In Division Four, Little Acorns skittler Dave Perrett had a 22 double flopper in his score of 83 at the Railway Inn.

Kevin Perrett (74) and Phil Mac (77) helped the Acorns to a total of 547 as they defeated the Ghosttrains by 65.

Off The Rails moved up to third after they beat the Mauricemen by seven at the Railway Inn, Dave Birt top-scoring with 75.

Real Ale Burnham and the Rovers both lost ground as they were beaten by the Top House and The Berrow Basics.

For the Top House Alfie Moon had a 25 double flopper at the Somerset and Dorset in his 78.

Results: Division One – The Lads 562 (Steve Puddy 85, Paul Simmons 71, Steve Jones 75), Cowboys 565 (Max Puddy 81, Andy Bryant 75, Paul Edwards 75, Steve Bryant 75, Darren Cornish 77); Tryer’s 469 (Spenser Bishop 70), Gunners 489 (Gareth Evans 74, Karl Vickers 72); Sleepers 557 (Paul Coles 91 inc 25, Marcus House 70, Malcolm House 74), Misfits 551 (Brian Bagg 79, Maurice White 72, Paul Bagg 72, Mike Bagg 75); Bombers 443 (Barry Vincent 69), Lighthouse Boys 476 (Chris Tuck 72); Social Club 469 (Steve Tindall 79), White Rebels 496 (Gary Wall 73, Martin Wall 71); Shunters 483 (Jon Mear 74), Steamers 462 (Paul Cozens 65).

Division Two – Outcasts 434 (Geoff Betty 60, Stuart Taylor 60), Radio Social 433 (Larry Summers 69); Lighthouse Boys 391 (Alan May 54), Robins 384 (John Dibble 56); Berrow Hotel 476 (Fred Marsh 83), Four Finger Club 402 (Jamie Niblett 61), Odds & Ends 545 (Ryan Bird 82, Martin Turner 70, Harry Symis 72, Jerry Bird 74), Nobby’s One 519 (John Reason 80, Ray Dacyniak 72, Eddie Osgood 73); Brent Knoll Inn 514 (Graham Hoskins 81, Save Prowton 70), Snurgers 436 (Chris Bishop 65); Railway Burtle 397 (John Burrows 62), Bellends 395 (Jimmy Webb 57).

Division Three – Crown Criminals 504 (Dereck Kidner 75, Matthew Edwards 70, Martin Cooke 73), The Poachers 524 (Jim Vernacombe 78, Paul Manktelow 77); Bombardiers 415 (Geoff Mitchard 66), Bobbetts Burnouts 455 (Chris Gould 72); Juniors 455 (Martin Pople 66), Alleycats 414 (Morley Howard 56); Trainers 499 (Guy Squibb 69), Outsiders 508 (Martin Scribbens 72, Kevin White 70); Rafascals 482 (Charlie Lonsdale 69), Accrington Stanley 470 (Phil Adams 67); Wanderers (bye).

Division Four – Off the Rails 488 (Dave Birt 71, Richard Sampson 73), Coopermen 481 (Martin Pope 64); Ghosttrains 482 (Brian Jenkins 70), Little Acorns 547 (Dave Perrett 83 inc 22, Paul Mac 77, Kevin Perrett 74); Homeguard 431 (Tony Smith 59), Legionaires 447 (Neil Baker 71); Real Ale Burnham 439 (Louis Dean 61), Top House 465 (Alfie Moon 78 inc 25); If Only 429 (Dave Chapman 66), Mauricemen 442 (Dave Jones 61); Berrow Basics 466 (John Lock 71), Rovers 427 (Jim Wright 66); Artyfarts (bye).