BURY A have mounted a tough challenge to Bolton League champions, Markland Hill A, for the top section title.

They currently stand just a point adrift of the top but with a match in hand, and would hope to make their mark on the division when the two clash at the Heaton club in January.

Markland Hill B are in third place, seeing off competition like Hawkshaw B.

Tracy Walker and Bill Hamblett showed the way when the two teams met at Hawkshaw's Canon Slade Sports Centre home, taking their opening games before visiting number one couple Julie Lowe and Roger Taylor added two more.

Vicky Askew and Phil Howe won both their mixed to keep Markland Hill scoring, but Hawkshaw took the next four mixed to restrict the visitors to a 6-4 lead.

Julie Lowe and Vicky Askew took both top ladies' and when Roger Taylor and Phil Howe took both top men's, the points were Markland's.

Linda Holden and Helen Borrowdale added a ladies game but the final score was a decisive 13-5 for the visitors.

Markland Hill C in the same section were not, however, so lucky against a visiting ABC on devastating form.

The home side could manage only a mixed and a ladies' against the talented side which has traditionally finished the season in the top three.

Park have taken over the top of B Section, nudging Forrest B into second place. Their most recent victims include a 16-2 win over Markland Hill E this week, and a closer encounter against Hawkshaw C at Park's Hayward Sports Centre base.