Cowplain Gas are pumped and becoming a surprise contender in Portsmouth League Division 3 promotion race

They chalked up their second successive 10-2 victory and find themselves in second place behind Emsworth B.

Gary Swatton hit a break of 38 as Broadoak were sent packing at London Road for their fourth straight win.

Terry Lees had a run of 35, adding to doubles from Gary Churchill, Neil Kirby and Paul Lees.

The leaders had to battle for a 7-5 verdict against Butler Boys.

Wayne Talley and a late Matt Beardsworth pair pulled them through as John Williamson kept them on edge.

Ioan Moon was up to his old tricks with a 39 break to help Craneswater Dandy to an odd frame win over Waterlooville B.

Brian Elsegood had opened the scoring but it was quickly rubbed out by Colin Johnson.

Cowplain B were heading for a big return as the trio of Ray Steere, Gary Curtis and son James put them 7-1 up.

However, things changed dramatically as Ian Cotton and Tony Best saved Alexandra's bacon with a brace a piece.

Leigh Park found their touch with an 8-4 against Cowplain Misfits.

The Workies enjoyed the early exchanges with Dave Riddell, Danny Lumsden putting them 4-0 ahead to settle the nerves.

Dave Weedon hit back then Steve Scott restored the advantage.

Rob Couper and Colin Ricketts shared the last racks with Ted Dowse and Steve Dewhurst.

Reigning champions Craneswater A showed they have not given up hope in the top flight as Pete Ferguson produced a match-winning double to give the long-standing kings a vital 7-5 win at current leaders Waterlooville A.

Andy Boulton's boys intend to put right last week's defeat when they take on bottom side Portchester X.

Jason Tame's gang could not repeat the heroics against Copnor A & E, going from 4-2 up to an 8-4 defeat.

Mark Kingswell gave them a great start but the city men hit back through Scott Compton, Steve Toms and Jon Sunderland.

Bellair A enjoyed their trip to Craneswater Z and returned home with a 9-3 triumph.

Paul Jagger and Tony May were on form from the off before Greg Jones applied the finishing touch with another two racks.

Dave Glover registered a break of 42 to give Copnor D a good start against Cowplain Z.

Wayne Rendle followed his captain in securing a win but Steve Hughes cut the lead, beating Andy Hall in the last pairing to keep it to 7-5.

Post Office are on course for the silverware in Division 2, although Craneswater Q gave them some anxious moments.

Lee Paice scored early for the Southsea outfit and there were breaks of 35 from Iain Russell and Jamie Gray.

But Barry Turner reversed the trend with visits of 44 and 48 to level the scores before Matt Paffett delivered the match winning frames for a 7-5 victory.

Ade Pledge and Colin Elliott saved North End Bowls at Pompey Royals.

Steve Orchard and Paul Chivers had put the Stationsiders 4-0 up early doors.

Waterlooville Xcels suffered at the hands of the experienced Copnor E, going down 10-2 on their own new patch.

John Oldfield and Adam Osbourne started well for the visitors and there was worse to come with John Wyatt and Phil Ledington wrapping it up.

Richard Howell and Kenny Morgan were the pick of the crop for five-man Bellair X.

They salvaged an odd frame success over 'Ville D after Craig Skeggs had made an early impression.

Craneswater R have hit a bad patch and have fallen away in the hunt for promotion.

Martin Richardson did well but support was missing and they went down 8-4 at Waterlooville C.

Barry Wooley was on target before Rob Derry and son Rob junior left the city boys reeling.