ALCESTER Nomads got the better of title-rivals Maudslay to move to the top of the Studley Skittles League.

In a high-scoring game, Nomads built a 24-pin lead after leg three against the previous league leaders, who responded to take leg four to reduce the deficit to 15.

But when Nomads scored 70 in their last game, the clash looked beyond Maudslay, who needed a mammoth 86 to win.

Maudslay did their best, with captain Mark Sanseverino recording a 16 stack in a total of 42, and his team-mates also scored well as they totalled 82 to lose narrowly by three pins.

Nomads’ win puts them top of the table by just half a point over Maudslay.

Tom Roberts and Dean Watson scored 38, while Keith Fryer bagged 37 for the losers. Alcester’s best scorers were Alan Cummings 42 (13 stack), Mac Eaton, Alan Spreckley (39 each) and Geoff Loat (37).

After a welcome win last week, Mixtures could not field a full team against early league pacesetters, Chris and Gerry Show, who completed a routine win to end a six-game losing run.

Mixtures managed to salvage a last leg consolation point, but C&G Show were always in control with John Hall making 36, while Dave Charlesworth (34) and Chris Smith (32) also scored well For Mixtures, there were good tallies from Gwyn McDonald and John Day (36 each) and John Green (32).

Team BG and Alley Cats played a close game, which saw Team BG two pins down after two legs, but they then opened-up an 11-pin lead after the fourth leg.

Alley Cats were finally left 68 to win, but never looked like making it. For Team BG, Ray Cartwright made 39, Lin Dyer 34 and Rob Baker 33. There were scores of 34 for Alley Cats’ Anne O’Conno and 33 each for Malcolm Batchelor and Sue Sollis.

It is three wins on the bounce for Well Developed as they took maximum points.

Captain David Searle made eight in his first bowl to snatch a single-pin lead after the first round against opponents Swingers, but then Well Developed pulled steadily away to record a big win.

Searle finally totalled 34, as did Janina Brennan, but Martin Brennan and Dave Bevan went a pin better scoring 35 each. Swingers’ Tony Howell finished with 31.

Results: Maudslay 3pts (338 pins) Alcester Nomads 8pts (341 pins); Mixtures 2pts (239: 8 players) Chris & Gerry Show 9pts (263: 8 players & 289: 10 players); Alley Cats 3pts (298) Team BG 8pts (307); Well Developed 10pts (301) Swingers 1pt (275); Lodge Farmers 8pts (322) – Jumbo Jet Set 3pts (317).