WEEK five of the Slimbridge Summer Skittle League saw the top two meet with current leaders Alley Gators defeating Shake Hands by 14 pins.

Winning five of the first half leg the latter took a seven-pin first half lead with Jon Holloway hitting 60; his score including a 12 spare.

However with Leanne Smith scoring 66, her total including a 13-spare, and Eddie Carpenter hitting a nine-spare, the Alley Gators were always within touch of their opponents.

The second half was one way traffic as despite Shake Hands taking the first leg the Alley Gators took the next six legs, with Geoff Williams hitting a 12-spare to open up a 27-pin lead. Shake Hands took the final leg, clawing back six pins however it was too little to late as the winners took 25 points.

With Shake Hands slipping to their third loss of the season, the Geriatrics took the opportunity to move into second spot with a 24-pin victory over The Dons. With no spares in the first half the game was a tight affair, however the Geriatrics were always in from and with Howard Stockman hitting 60 for the winners they held a three-pin advantage; this despite Tony Niblett scoring 64 for The Dons.

Despite losing the first leg of the second half it was one way traffic as the Geriatrics took command of the game. With Clarence O Conner hitting 14-spar and Len Holder following up with a 12-spare they held an 18-pin advantage after 6-legs. The Dons took the seventh leg however the Geriatrics took the final leg by five-pins to extend their margin of victory.

Snorts FC remain in fourth after they recorded a 17-pin victory over the Bowmen. Mark Tocknell hit a 15-spare whilst Gareth Markey hit 64 for the winners who took a 26-pin first half lead; Rich Day finishing up with an 11-spare for the Bowmen.

The second half saw the Bowmen claw themselves back into the game, pulling back 10-pins in the first two legs.

Despite Chas Vincent hitting as 12-spare for the Bowmen in the third leg it was Snorts FC who took the next two legs to claw back the deficit. Bit with Dave Cotterill hitting a 13-spare and Alan Dimery finishing with an 11-spare the Bowmen finished nine-pin victors on the half, not enough for the game but saw them take 17-points.

Slimbridge RFC picked up their second victory for the season as they defeated the Cambridge Crew by 16-pins. The first half saw the latter take a narrow three-pin advantage; Sarah Garrard hitting a 15-spare in her score of 61, whist Sam Tarr hit a 13-spare for the eventual winners.

The second half saw Sid Lord ensure victory for Slimbridge RBL as he scored 74, his total including a 16 and 15-spare. Despite this Cambridge crew did their best to keep in touch; Steve Tilling hitting two spares, a first leg 12 and third leg 11; whilst Rob Wychard hit a nine-spare.

However it was not enough as Slimbridge RBL took the half by 19-pins to pick up 24-points.

Results. Slimbridge RBL 436 (24) (Sid Lord 74), Cambridge Crew 420 (16) (Sarah Garrard 61); Geriatrics 433 (28) (Howard Stockman 60), The Dons 409 (12) (Tony Niblett 64); Shake Hands 426 (15) (Jon Holloway 60), Alley Gators 440 (Leanne Smith 66); Bowmen 420 (17) (Alan Dimery 62), Snorts FC 437 (Gareth Markey 63)