CHRIST Church have recaptured the Bolton Badminton League championship -- in fine style.

They dropped only two points during the season, ironically in the final stages of the season to nearest rivals ABC who finish runners-up.

Third-placed was Markland Hill Leigh, the team made up of some of the Leigh players who have figured as previous title-holders plus Markland Hill members.

New into A Section next season for the first time will be Bolton Institute. Their chance at top-flight badminton has been hard-earned, as they started in the bottom division and worked their way up. And it is particularly pleasing for captain Phong Tran, who with Mike Poo formed the original team.

After a very closely-fought competition in this Section throughout the season (mid-table BSC beat Bolton Institute recently, for example), Bury B clinched the second promotion spot to return to A Section.

Westhoughton A have taken the C Section title with ease, with Swinton finally runners-up after a tough battle.

Typical of the Westhoughton form was the final away encounter between them and Chowbent C.

The visitors' Janice Jackson and Tei Nornor set the tone of the evening with their opening set 15-9, 15-9, followed by two more to similar scores from top couple Teresa Gough and Stuart Lovell.

A blend of youth and experience from Chowbent's Gemma Hilton and Brian Strickland put the home side on the right side of the score-card.

Experience

But even their efforts could not stop Westhoughton being 7-3 ahead after the mixed. The top ladies' games were shared, but when Stuart Lovell and Peter Lonnen took both top men's, the points belonged to Westhoughton.

Only Sue Carney and Gemma Hilton made any impression on the remaining games, splitting the second ladies' set, and the final score was a positive 13-5 for Westhoughton to finish the season as successfully as it began. In D Section, while Springfields C are definitely promoted, the last match of the season between Springfields C and Forrest C was deciding whether Forrest would join them, at the expense of Smithills A.

A new name in the League -- the David Lloyd Health and Leisure Centre -- earns promotion at the first attempt. The team, which originated from the former Great Lever club, has been locked in battle in E Section with close rivals Farnworth C and Hawkshaw D.

Players will no doubt send good wishes for a speedy recovery to the League's match secretary Graham Crompton. The League stalwart has had a successful heart bypass op and, he assures the BEN, is now doing well -- and just as vigilant as ever!

RESULTS A Section: Forrest A 12, Hawkshaw A 6; Chowbent B 3, Markland Hill Leigh 15; Forrest A 16, Racquets 2; Markland Hill A 9, Hawkshaw A 9; Christ Church 18, Chowbent B 0; ABC 14, Christ Church 4; Racquets 0, Bury A 18.

B Section: Hawkshaw B 10, Forrest B 8; BSC 11, BIHE 7; Farnworth A 2, Metro A 16; Metro A 16, Bury B 2; Markland Hill B 9, BSC 9; Hawkshaw B 16, Markland HIll B 2; Park A 15, Farnworth A 3; Sharples A 9, BSC 9; Markland HIll B 5, Sharples A 13; Bury B 11, Springfields A 7; Springfields A 7, Forrest B 11.

C Section: Metro B 11, Chowbent C 7; Chowbent D 4, Swinton 14; Markland Hill C 2, Hawkshaw C 16; GMT A 11, Metro B 7; Park B 7, Springfields B 11; Westhoughton B 13, Chowbent D 5; Chowbent C 5, Westhoughton A 13; Swinton 14, Sharples B 4.

D Section: Springfields C 17, Park C 1; Metro C 6, GMT B 12; Sharples C 6, Deane A 12; Forrest C 15, Springfields D 3; Smithills A 17, Deane B 1.

E Section: Smithills C 3, Farnworth C 15; BASS B 8, Sharples D 10; BASS A 12, Metro D 6; Hawkshaw D 12, Markland Hill D 6; David Lloyd centre 12, Forrest D 6.

F Section: Forrest E 18, BASS C 0; Metro E 12, Forrest F 6; Holy Cross 6, Springfields E 12; Farnworth D 4, Smithills D 14.