ROCKETS kept up their challenge at the top of Worcester and District Division One after defeating Independents by 41 pins at the RSRE club.

Leading from the first leg by four pins, Rockets won the remaining legs to record their fifth victory in their last six games. Dick Evans top scored with 45.

Basement side Cradley Sports recorded their first victory in five attempts by defeating mid-table Saints in a close game by just seven pins. Despite victory, Cradley remain bottom, two points behind both Woodmen and Independents but with a game in hand.

The highest individual score of the week was A Adams' 58 in helping Back Scuttlers strengthen their position at top of Division Two.

Results, Division One: Woodmen 432 (D Rutter 46, K Arnold 40), 'C' Siders 472 (P Nicholls 45, A Coles 42, K Endacott 40, D Bright 40, Mick Birbeck 40, J Parker); Scaplehorns 384 (M Howlett 38, N Whittaker 38), Warlords 399 (R Churchill 38, D Collins 38); Rockets 441 (D Evans 45, K Monk 42, K Reynolds 41, K Smallman 40), Independents 400 (G Morgan 38); Budgies 419 (D Smith 43), XS Pins 393 (L Gillam 42); Arbos 402 (H Roberts 42), Poachers 366 (L Ramsey 36); Cradley Sports 378 (J Palmer 37), Saints 371 (J Howes 36).

Division Two: Newsmen 431 (P Williams 43, A Oliver 43), Sausagemen 419 (S Clarke 44); Hanley Sports 373 (D Walker 38), Avengers 361 (MJ Taylor 37); Old Reynards 395 (CM Griffiths 47), Redhill Dropouts 383 (A Small 43); Back Scuttlers 457 (A Adams 58, A Fisher 44), Playboys 401 (PE Wilding 44, I Morris 42); Wanderers 387 (A Davies 41, A Brewer 40, J Brewer 40), Flintstones 367 (M Watling 37); Tearaways 387 (M Bayfield 38, S Partridge 38), Robins 392 (D Radburn 42).

Division Three: Heenans 'A' 433 (M Gormley 45, M Yates 42, B Newell 41, R Dyson 40), Droitwich RBL 418 (R Tearne 45, T Dawson 41, K Francis 41); Bellstars 367 (R Jones 36), Floaters 406 (A Burton 40); Mad Bulls 375 (J Barnes 37, S Lee 37), Monarchs 373 (C Genever 37); Shooters 382 (B Clifton 38), Newsboys 405 (P Hawkins 41, J Hudson 40); Hallow 'A' 397 (W Hodgetts 39), Archdales 'B' 364 (G Edge 37).

Division Four: The Outsiders 401 (P Shuard 42, T Oliver 40, S Murray 40), CEDS 'A' 412 (D Garton 39); Volunteers 'A' 432 (P Morris 45, D Jarvis 43, A Turner 42), Misspins 417 (A Houlston 43, S Bishop 40); Mazak Nines 370 (M Lewis 45), Stowaways 314 (M Dunnett 34); Grasshoppers 354 (D Prichard 36), Ex-Busters 401 (J Hodgkins 40); Settlers 372 (P Howard 37), Crown Rebels 372 (L Manton 37); Grosvenor Vikings 393 (E Foster 38), Barbourne Bowling Club 420 (R Caldwell 45, D Coopey 41).