PIRATES strengthened their grip on retaining the Puriton & District Division 1 league championship with a 62-pin demolition of Woolavington Boys, with Danny Palfrey starring for the victors with 76, which was 10 pins more than second man Liam Birch.

Best for the defeated team was Chris Turner on 71.

Nearest rivals Farmer Boys went down by six at Lighthouse Inn to Nomads, who recorded their first win in 2015.

Chris Coggins was the star of the show with four consecutive spares and two 9s in his 85, which was 17 more than his nearest teammates, Roger Haines and Phil Coggins, who both hit 68.

Pirates were the only team in last week’s top seven to win as Wasters, Wanderers and StopOuts all lost and Somerset Vaults had a bye. Wasters went down by 16 at home to Polden Turkeys, who had Andy Stone in scintillating form with 3 spares including a flopper 17 in his 74, but his team had to come from behind, pulling 32 on the last three hands after being 16 down.

Wanderers went down by 36 at home to Foxes & Ferretts, with Robert Simpson and John Fletcher both hitting 69. Stop-Outs lost at the Bristol Bridge to Crown, who hit 80 in their last hand to pull 21 for an 18-pin winning margin, thanks to a 17 flopper from Robin Bridgewater and 16 from top scorer Mike Carter.

In the battle of Crown, Catcott Polden Bears came out on top by pulling eight on the last hand for a five-pin victory as Crown Jewels hit their lowest hand of the night despite a 12- spare from Colin Nutman and despite Tony Saunders putting his spare ball through the pack for the victors.

This defeat now means Crown Jewels are destined for relegation.

Grant Hockin was in fine form for Knowle Otters as his 68 helped his team beat Barstewards by 51, whose best score was 53 by Adrian Barnett.

In Division 2, the top three all won – Crusaders by 42at Herdsmen, Landlords Rejects by 27 at Rofugees and Odd Squad by 19 at home to Odds & Sods.

Nick Haggett of Crusaders hit three spares in his top score of 70, just beating Bert Beasley’s 68 and George Scott’s 66. Ian Nicholls replied with 63 for Herdsmen.

Sean Heywood top scored for Landlords Rejects as they pulled 35 on the last three hands for a comfortable 27-pin win over Rofugees, who had Nick Alford top scoring with 59.

In the battle between third and fourth, Ollie Puddy continued his good form with 60 as Oddsquad defeated Odds & Sods, despite James Briggers getting 63.

This defeat for Odds & Sods enabled Wheatsheaf Boys to go ahead of them as they won by nine at Puriton Legion over Spitfires.

Captain Kevin Watts needed nine as the last man for Haymakers to avoid defeat at Ruggerites, which he duly obliged to make the match a draw. Bev Gowan hit 66, Matt Parsons 64 and John Parsons 62 for the home team, while John Vowles top scored for Haymakers with 62.

In a close-fought match at Crown Inn, East Huntspill, Huntspill Boys just edged out Three Cees by seven.

Grey Sugg top scored for the defeated team with 70, followed by Ray Balson on 67. Sam Simpson hit 67, Toby Franklin 66 and Aaron Stokes 65 for the victors.

Cross Your Hart could not keep up their recent winning form, going down by 27 at home to Swannies, who had Dave Tucker once again top scoring with 68.