THE closest encounter in the second round of the Worcester Friendly Skittle League's Doris Styles Memorial Trophy for Monday teams saw Sharpshooters go through by the narrowest margin.

The 'Shooters established an early advantage over their op-ponents Dingles and were 20 pins to the good after the opening two legs.

Dingles fought back and managed to reduce the arrears to just four pins after the next two legs.

Sharpshooters must have thought they had blown it setting Dingles 63 to win, a target they had achieved on three out of the four legs bowled.

Despite a shaky start they looked on course for victory but bowlers 8, 9 and 10 had never really mastered the tricky Alma alley and could only post 11 between them.

Set 15 to win the last two bowlers fell one pin short to see Sharpshooters in the next round.

Best for Sharpshooters was J. Sneddon 34, while anch-orman M. Jeynes managed 37 for Dingles.

Sharpshooters 329, Dingles 328; Runaways 393 (D. Seldom 41), St. Oswalds 370 (R. Emsley 38); Interliners 403 (Ashcroft 44), Rushwick 433 (Dave Meigh 44); Transporters 375 (J. Starkey 38), Wasps 364 (L. Townsend, T. Simmons 36); Headers 382 (L. Jones 39), Redundants 378 (P. Hundley 37); Hillbillies 398 (A. Howard 41, T. Pinches 40), Kingfishers 392 (L. Buller 39); Wild Bunch 350 (D.M. Poole 36), Thunderbirds 386 (M. Stinton 43, G. Nicholls 40); Crown Regulars 462 (G. Hartland 48, W. Evans 44, E. Collins 41), Cardents 432 (A. Minton, A. Hudspith 42, A. Richardson 41).

Eric Wild Cup

Dirty Dozen achieved the highest score in the first round of the Eric Wild Cup, (Monday teams), overcoming opponents Claines R.B.L. at the Goodrest.

Finding themselves nine pins down after the opening leg, the Dozen bounced back with 89 thanks to a 14 spare from G. Ingram.

Maintaining steady 80-plus legs, Dirty Dozen set the Legion 98 to win. This was always going to be difficult and Dozen ran out winners by a comfortable 21 pins.

Best for Dirty Dozen was G. Ingram with 44 while J. Ford top scored for the Legion with 38.

Dirty Dozen 409, Claines R.B.L. 388; Wizards 359 (S. Jenkinson 41, P. Lampitt 40), Glovers Needle 375 (D. Jones, D.R. Jones, S. Banks 34); Millers 377 (S. Edden 37), Countymen 398 (C. Neale 41); Travellers 397 (N. Taylor 42), Marauders 353 (A. Link 41); M&M's 350 (G. Harris, A. Gwinnett 34), Harry's Heroes 385 (A. Heeks 38); Castaways 344 (Dean Spiers 35), County Officers 368 (D. Bessant 37).