WITH the game between league leaders Geriatrics and the Bowmen postponed the opportunity arose for the chasing pack to close the gap at the top in week five of the Slimbridge Summer Skittle League.

With Slimbridge RBL having their bye week the opportunity arose for Snorts FC to move back into second spot, and they took their opportunity with the narrowest of victories over Shake Hands; winning both halves by a solitary pin to take the game by 2-pins and collect 26-points.

Phil Langdown was in good form, commencing with a 15-spare, hitting an 18-spare in the fourth leg as he scored 72 for Shake Hands. However Pete Brown hit 63 for Snorts FC, his total including a 13-spare, whilst Steve Brown hit a 9-spare in his total of 62 to help his team home.

The half was close throughout, Snorts FC holding the biggest lead of 6-pins in the fifth leg. Entering the final leg Shake Hands, leading by a solitary pin scored 26 leaving Snorts FC to score 28 to take the half. This they managed on the final ball of the half.

The second half started strongly for Snorts FC as Colin Clutterbuck hit a first leg 13-spare, whilst Peter Hill, who scored 64 for the winners hit a 13-spare in the second leg and Richard Fry backed this up with 12-spares in the next two legs. However Shake Hands did not lie down; Robert Sims scoring 68, his total including a 14-spare, whilst Mike Sims hit a 16-spare in his total of 69. Again the game entered the last leg in similar fashion with the scores level. Shake Hands again hit 26 leaving Snorts to score 27 which they just managed to take the half by a solitary pin.

The Dons climbed off the foot of the table after a 39-pin victory over Cambridge Crew. The winners started well taking the first two legs, however Cambridge Crew took the third leg to trail by just 3-pins. In a half without any spares Cambridge Crew lead after the sixth leg by 3-pins however it was The Dons who finished strongly, taking the half by 20-pins.

The second half was one way traffic as The Dons lead from start to finish. With mark Stamp hitting 62 for the winners, his score including a 13-spare they lead by 20-pins after four legs. Dave Yeomans who scored 58 for Cambridge crew, hit a 14-spare in the fifth leg as his team attempted a comeback, however they tailed by 14-pins entering the final leg. This proved to be too much as The Dons finished with a 29-leg to extend their advantage and take the final leg.