CASTLE D closed to within a point of first place in the Northwich and District League’s top-flight after a 7-0 whitewash of Owley Wood B.

The defending champions, Gladstone C, continue to lead the way in Division One but they could not match their rivals’ feat after Chris Cain claimed a frame for Castle A.

Richard Cain remains unbeaten for Castle B, who were comfortable victors against Rudheath, while Gladstone B climbed the table after easing past clubmates Gladstone E.

The pace-setters in a race for promotion from Division Two both survived a scare before recording victories.

Broken Cross trailed 2-1 at Lion A before winning the next three frames, while Greenbank A’s four-frame burst rescued them from the same position against Owley Wood A.

Witton Chimes were favourites to beat Greenbank C after establishing a 3-0 lead only for their opponents to recover brilliantly to win the next four with captain Michael Bell winning a decider.

Iron Bridge A recorded only a second win of the campaign when they thrashed Barn Owl B while Witton Albion, after fighting back three times to level, were squeezed out by Gladstone D.

Teams from the Green Dragon occupy top two positions in Division Three after they matched each other’s result last week.

The A team shared the first four frames with Witton Chimes B before taking the next three, while Stu Steene’s victory in a critical sixth frame helped Green Dragon B past Slow & Easy B.

Wheatsheaf let slip a 3-1 lead in a loss to Slow & Easy A, for whom Martin Ene won a decisive seventh frame.

Meanwhile comeback kings Iron Bridge H matched that feat, rallying to beat Greenbank B after Dana McCormack held her nerve for the second time in three weeks.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week Seven

Wednesday, October 31

Division One: Castle A 1-6 Gladstone C; Castle B 5-2 Rudheath; Gladstone E 2-5 Gladstone B; Owley Wood B 0-7 Castle D. No game: Castle C

Division Two: Barn Owl B 1-6 Iron Bridge A; Gladstone D 4-3 Witton Albion; Greenbank A 5-2 Owley Wood A; Lion A 3-4 Broken Cross; Witton Chimes A 3-4 Greenbank C

Division Three: Blue Barrel 4-3 Winnington Rec; Green Dragon A 5-2 Witton Chimes B; Iron Bridge H 4-3 Greenbank B; Slow & Easy B 2-5 Green Dragon B; Wheatsheaf 3-4 Slow & Easy A

Fixtures

Week Eight

Wednesday, November 7

Alan Backhouse Team Knockout Cup

Last 16: Blue Barrel v Gladstone C; Castle B v Wheatsheaf; Lion A v Castle D; Owley Wood B v Gladstone E; Slow & Easy B v Greenbank A; Winnington Rec v Iron Bridge H; Witton Albion v Castle C. Bye: Castle A

Supplementary Shield

Last 16: Gladstone D v Gladstone B; Greenbank B v Witton Chimes A; Greenbank C v Green Dragon B; Green Dragon A v Broken Cross; Iron Bridge A v Witton Chimes B; Rudheath v Barn Owl B. Byes: Owley Wood A, Slow & Easy A

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington