AFTER predicting Ramsbottom A looked on course to retain their Premier Division title, the inevitable happened – they were beaten 5-4 by Hilton B who now share second place with Ramsbottom B.

The gap between top and second is now 14 points, but both teams have played two matches less than Rammy A. The Hilton win featured an excellent treble by Ron Pennington and two wins by Neil Pickard, while Ramsbottom B ran out 8-1 winners against Nomads A. Little Lever B and Wharton both scored 5-4 wins against Hilton A and Burning Desire A respectively.

The clash between the top two teams in Division One resulted in a 6-3 victory for Ramsbottom C over Burning Desire B. The win, which was far from easy, with five sets decided on the fifth game, featured three victories by Graham Young, two by Tommy Ryan and one by Terry Taylor. Ramsbottom now have a four point advantage at the top of the table.

John Bradbury was unbeaten for Wingates who beat Heaton D 6-3, as was Brett Haslam for Hilton D who beat Nomads B 7-2. Three wins by Paul Bradwood and two by Stuart Wallis were enough to give Withins a 5-4 win over Heaton C, while Hilton C ran out 7-2 winners against Ladybridge with three wins by sub Lee Davenport, and two apiece for Dave Andrews and John Biggins.

Division Two leaders Meadow Bank suffered their second successive defeat, this time losing 5-4 to visitors BEN A. In a close match which was decided on the last set of the night, three players scored two wins.

Ramsbotom D in second spot scraped a 5-4 win at Hilton Tigers thanks to three wins by Chris Leaves. All three Meadow Hill players scored two wins in their 6-3 win at Heaton E. Tony Eardley trebled for Hilton E who were beaten 5-4 by their F team, and Alan Lansdale was unbeaten for Little Lever D who lost 6-3 at Farnworth SC A.

Three wins by Mike Dunn helped Heaton F to a 6-3 victory over Withins B.

Ladybridge B had their lead at the top of Division Three cut to three points following their 7-2 win over Hilton H, while Coburg, with a match in hand in second place, took maximum points from Farnworth SC B. John Birchall and Brian Greenhalgh both trebled for Ladybridge as did Bob Bent, Jim Hewitt and George Mather for Coburg. Three wins by Alan Hibbert and two apiece by Alan Calvert and Mike Aspinall gave BEN B their 7-2 win over Ladybridge C. Hilton G continued their impressive form with a 9-0 win over their I Team, and Walkden Meths were the 8-1 victors over Withins C.

The top three teams in Division Four all scored 9-0 wins. Top team Heaton H beat the Lads & Girls Club, St Paul’s Peel in second spot won at Brass, and Hilton J in third place beat their L team.