TORNADOES protected their position at the top of the Gilt Edge Short Mat Bowling League with victory over Chestnuts.

They eased through the first half with a 15-3 win but stuttered to a 6-5 success in the second thanks to a single on the last end.

Second placed Telly Tubbies also had a trouble-free 15-3 first half win against Squirrel, only for their opponents to come back strong and take the second 12-6. It means Tubbies have dropped points for two successive weeks.

Invincibles had a fright in the second half of their game against bottom placed The Who. Finding themselves 6-0 down with three ends gone they turned up the pressure to take the half 15-7 and the game overall 37-9, including two Hot Shot 6s.

Although third-placed Brintons held on to the first half 9-7 against Wribbenhall, they went down 12-4 in the second. The battle between the two Chester Road clubs ended up with One for the Road claiming an easy victory.

In their game against Breakaways they took the first half 20-1 and the second 18-6. Crusaders had a tight game against Untouchables, winning the first half 7-6 with a two on the last end and edging the second 9-6. It keeps them in the top five and in contention for the title.

Stourport had a late come back but still lost the first half 8-5 to Just for Fun, before taking control in the second to win it 13-8.

Blakedown won the first half easily 13-2 against Aces, but they

made hard work of they second and lost 7-4.