PAUL Curwen is setting the pace in the BIG Smash League, with two more wins to maintain his record as the only unbeaten bowler after six rounds.

Curwen started the latest round of fixtures with victory over Ian Nicholson at Dalton CC.

Nicholson went into the game on the back of two defeats, but started strongly, going into a 4-0 advantage.

Curwen clawed it back to 4-3 and then 7-6 going into the second power end, which Nicholson took, adding double in the next two to open up a 13-6 gap and sit in a strong position.

The leader showed his mettle to close to 13-8, when a double in the third power end left him just a point behind.

It was nip-and-tuck all the way, with Nicholson leading going into the final end, when Curwen claimed a single that saw him triumph 16-15, going ahead for the first and only time in the match at the crucial time. Nicholson claimed a deserved losing bonus point.

Having held onto his winning record by the skin of his teeth, Curwen stepped up another level against Stuart Price.

At the halfway stage, he led 13-4, and commanded the rest of the match for a 24-9 success.

Danny Edmonds is second after he too claimed a brace a victories, firstly over Danny Rogers, 21-10, and then David Jones, 18-16.

Edmonds commanded both games and was only ever behind in both after the second end.

At the other end of the standings, Paul Lewis bowled superbly to convincingly beat Roy Moxham 28-9 and claim a first win of the tournament.

Lewis then came up against a fired up Nicholson, who on the back of three straight defeats did not want a fourth. Nicholson bowled well to claim the win 22-9.

Gareth Jones had a thriller against Chris Johnson. The battle of the two Dalton CC players saw Johnson take an early 4-3 lead before pushing 9-4 ahead.

Jones clinched the vital second power end though to narrow the gap to 9-6, but Johnson went 13-8 in front before another power end closed the margin to 13-10.

Jones claimed the next two ends to level matters, but Johnson kept edging ahead, and it was 15-14 going into the final end.

Jones bowled a yard short with his lead, but then made up for it with his second wood. Johnson played over but missed wide, meaning Jones claimed the victory 16-15.

Andy Thornton had a win and a loss in his two matches, beating Danny Rogers after losing to Johnson.

The in-form David Jones started the with a convincing win over Paul Kissock, 22-9, bowling short marks well and frustrating his opponent.

He went on to play Edmonds, but could take only a losing bonus point in an 18-16 defeat.

The BIG Smash organisers thanked Ross Estate Agencies, Nexus Care Group, Drakes Pride, Andy Rigg Carpets, MGL Group, Paul Rawlinson, Driving Sales, Piping Hot Plumbing and Heating, Progression Solicitors, Cumbria Training Centre, The Bridge Inn, Brathay Lodge, Strategic Placements, L&D Decorating, Charnleys Home and Garden, Joe Murphy Flooring, CJS Decorating and Market Street House for their support.

The next round of BIG Smash fixtures take place on Thursday, June 28 (5.45pm start).

Matches are as follows: Lowden v Turnbull, Kissock v Price, Johnson v Lewis, Edmonds v Curwen, Nicholson v G Jones, D Jones v Howard, Thornton v Stewart, Rogers v Moxham.

Price v Edmonds, Lowden v Kissock, Turnbull v Johnson, Curwen v Thornton, Stewart v G Jones, Howard v Nicholson, Moxham v D Jones, Lewis v Rogers.