CRICKETERS moved into second place in the Premier Division on the strength of their 6-3 win against Ramsbottom C.

Lostock, who beat Hilton A 5-4, are now third -- both the moves are at the expense of Horwich Hilton A who drop to mid-table.

Trebles in the matches for Jim Chadwick for Cricketers, and Lyndsey Thornton for Lostock. Ramsbottom B move off the bottom, thanks to a 6-3 win over Little Lever, who have now dropped to bottom spot, a treble here for Wayne Renton. Dave Griffiths trebled for Farnworth A who scraped home 5-4 at Wharton, and Ramsbottom A continue their march to retain their title with an 8-1 win at Horwich Sports.

Top team in Division One, Nomads A, scored an emphatic 8-1 win against Wharton B which included trebles by Sean Toland and Dennis Collier. Mosses, who won a close match 5-4 with Heaton A, jump up to second place, three wins here by John Scowcroft for the losers. Heaton B beat fellow promoted team H/Hilton C 5-4 thanks to a treble by Barry Dobbins.

Wingates B strengthened their position as Division Two leaders with a comprehensive 7-2 win at BEN A, the win included three wins by Hannah Roberts and Greg Lee. Black Dog, who won by the same scoreline against Ladybridge B, jump into second place, trebles in the match by Frank Green and Mel Brooks. Trebles for Alan Hardman (Ladybridge C), John Dodds (Nomads B) and Steve Barber for Heaton D in their respective teams' victories. Alan Crompton continues his good form with three wins for Heaton E in their 5-4 win at Halliwell Road Media, this win gives Heaton a two-point lead on top of Division Three. The 5-4 win by Halls at Little Lever included three wins by Geoff Hall and two by son, Robert, and Hilton D scored a 6-3 win over a depleted Ladybridge E.

Division Four leaders Jubilee A recorded a comfortable 7-2 win against Heaton G which included three wins by Roger Bolton. Ramsbottom D, in second place three points behind Jubilee but with a match in hand, won by an 8-1 scoreline against BEN B, trebles here by Paul Wood and Bryan Edwards. Jack Quinn and Ray Wheatley both trebled for YMCA who beat Hilton H 7-2, as did Mike Roberts (Hilton G) and Brian Lingard (Ladybridge F) in their teams' respective wins.

Division Five leaders Hilton I lost to their 'J' team 4-5 in a very close match. Star performance was the three wins by Neal Dunn, which included the last set of the night to clinch the win. Ellesmere B ran out 5-4 winners in another close match with their 'C' team, thanks to three wins by Dave Peers, and Richard Pullen also trebled for Jubilee B in their 5-4 win over Ladybridge G.

Would team captains please note Ramsbottom C have a new secretary, Phil Myers, who can be contacted on 01706 359917.

Premier Division -- 16 M Moir; 14 J Chadwick; 13 A Jackson; 12 P Biggs; 11 Lyndsey Thornton; 10 M Ramsbottom, R Pennington; 9 M Dore, S Stringer, A Boardman.

Division One -- 13 C Johnson; 12 D Collier; S Williams, 11 J Bradbury, R Costello; 9 B Doxey, J Scowcroft, S Toland, S Charnley, D Smith, G Simpson.

Division Two -- 13 P Bladen; 11 F Green, G Lee, Hannah Roberts; 10 A Denson; 9 A Hardman, S Barber, M Jackson, M Audsley; 8 P Noden, S Woods.

Division Three -- 15 A Crompton; 13 I Bateson; 11 D Lomax, M Willows; 9 C Hall, R Hall, R Waller; 8 A Price, B Hardman, M Smith.

Division Four -- 15 J Quinn; 14 B Patel, R Hannant, J Birchall Snr; 13 G Dawson; 12 B Lomax; 10 J Swarsbrick, K Chauhan, M Roberts, S Roz.

Division Five -- 13 P Jackson, R Ainsworth; 12 J Price; 11 G Laks, J Pilkington; 9 N Dunn, S Ross, G Ainsworth, R Llewelyn.

Results

Premier Division -- Ramsbottom B 6 Little Lever 3; Cricketers 6 Ramsbottom C 3; Wharton 4 Farnworth 5; Lostock 5 Hilton A 4; Horwich Sports 1 Ramsbottom A 8.

Division One -- Mosses 5 Heaton A 4; Nomads A 8 Wharton B 1; Heaton B 5 H/Hilton C 4, Ladybridge A 8 H/Hilton B 1.

Division Two -- Black Dog 7 Ladybridge B 2; Nomads B 6 Little Lever C 3; BEN A 2 Wingates B 7; Heaton D 7 Meadow Hill A 2; Hilton B 4 Ladybridge C 5.

Division Three -- Little Lever D 4 Halls 5; Halliwell Rd Meths 4 Heaton E 5; Hilton D 6 Ladybridge E 3.

Division Four -- YMCA 7 Hilton H 2; Jubilee A 7 Heaton G 2; Heaton F 4 Hilton G 5; Ladybridge F 7 Hilton F 2; Ramsbottom D 8 BEN B 1.

Division Five -- Ellesmere C 4 Ellesmere B 5; Hilton 'I' 4 Hilton J 5; Jubilee B 5 Ladybridge G 4; Hilton K 6 Ladybridge H 7.