AFTER the dizzying excitements of the round -robin matches, as hot favourites fell like hot cakes, we have reached the quarter-final stages of the knockout competition, which comprise one team Walmersley A from Division One; two teams HRM and Astley from Division Two; and five teams (Hmm!) from Division Three.

Walmersley may yet impose superior ability, but, more likely, it seems that unbeaten Astley will prevent a Division Three monopoly. These two clash in the first match. HRM take on high-flying Chorley and will need to be at their full-strength best to proceed any further.

Bolton School B will rely again on their men's pairing of Mark Williams and his grizzled mentor Chris Cotton (where might it end?) along with any two of a string of lady stalwarts, in an attempt to hold off an up-for-it Holcombe Brook B, the Bezza backhand a source of anticipated anxiety.

Top of the bill may well prove the encounter between Guild Hall, relying manly on years -- defying, creaking bustle and aggression and Egerton, relying mainly on years of guile and subtlety. Both have had impressive victories in the round robin stage, Guild Hall being the only team other than Astley to win all three matches.

Results: Bolton School A 40 Walmersley B 21; HRM 30 Markland Hill B 22; Walkers A 38 Holcombe Brook A 27; Walmersley A 24 Egerton 22; MGB 35 Allsorts 17; Guild Hall 31 Holcombe Brook B 24; Bolton School B 28 Bolton CC 25; Harwood wo Walkers B; Astley 32 Markland Hill A 23; Bradshaw 30 Longsight 28; Bolton School C 28 David Lloyd 20; Chorley 37 Walkers C 13.

FINAL GROUP PLACINGS

GROUP ONE

P W Pt

Bolton School B ... 3 2 4

Walkers B ... 3 2 4

Harwood ... 3 1 2

Bolton CC ... 3 1 2

GROUP TWO

Astley ... 3 3 6

Bradshaw ... 3 2 4

Markland Hill A ... 3 1 2

Longsight ... 3 0 0

GROUP THREE

Bolton School C ... 3 2 4

Chorley ... 3 2 4

David Lloyd ... 3 2 4

Walkers C ... 3 0 0

GROUP FOUR

HRM A ... 3 2 4

Bolton School A ... 3 2 4

Markland Hill B ... 3 1 2

Walmersley B ... 3 1 2

GROUP FIVE

Egerton ... 3 2 4

Walmersley A ... 3 2 4

Walkers A ... 3 2 4

H Brook A ... 3 0 0

GROUP SIX

Guild Hall ... 3 3 6

H Brook B ... 3 2 4

MGB ... 3 1 2

Allsorts ... 3 0 0