Squire Bassett ran out 3-0 winners at Gladiators A to leapfrog their rivals at the top of Section 2 – and move into pole position in the title race.

Despite anchor man Chris Jenkins (5-4-6) clanging off 15 dolls, Gladiators lost all three legs 25-20, 24-22, 31-26, with Robin Busby (5-5-3) shining for Squire Bassett with 13.

Queens Head A went down 2-1 at Chequers A, despite Pete Shepherd’s heroics.

Needing six to tie the first leg, Shepherd delivered only for his side to lose it on three sticks.

Queens Head levelled in the next, but lost the decider, with Shepherd (6-5-3) top-scoring.