FIRST Division champions YMCA A were forced to dig deep by Second Division leaders St Philip's throughout their Times Cup match.

While there was never any doubt that the home side would win this match, St Philip's really kept their concentration and found that after their handicap had been added they were only just behind.

Meanwhile, the B team from YMCA suffered a defeat by First Division strugglers Roefield A. The home side kept their cool and recorded some useful scores, along with some games they did not expect to win. Belgrave Carpets A, fighting for promotion at the top of the Second Division, held off First Division visitors Pleckgate.

In the Smith Cup, Stanhill proved to be too strong for Independents B. Stanhill dominated play right from the start and were never in trouble.

Accrington Falcons, suffering at the foot of the Third Division, are also finding the going tough in the Cup competitions and they were easily beaten by Abacus. College bounced back in their campaign by narrowly defeating Telecom A. Both sides played extremely well, and this once again proved how accurate the handicapping has been this season.

Westholme, last year's winners of the Wilson Plate, but now playing in the higher competition, easily outplayed Whitehall and they look one of the favourites for the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Westholme Wilmar Lodge responded with a huge victory of YMCA D. The visitors who were forced to play with only three men, gave them a good start.

Westholme took full advantage and won even without their added handicap. Blackburn Juniors B enjoyed their third win in the Cup competition by only just finishing behind Olympic C before a 45-ace handicap was added, giving them a victory by 26 aces. Meanwhile their senior team were involved in a nail-biting finish against Blackburn Blinds, and secured what was the narrowest win of the week by just six aces.

Results - Times Cup: YMCA A 240, St Philip's 221; Roefield A 244, YMCA B 229; BAe 286, Stanhill A 194; Belgrave Carpets A 268, Pleckgate 231; Brockhall A 229, Independents A 192.

Smith Cup: Avondale 180, Prince Sports 191; Stanhill B 240, Independents B 188; Westholme 306, Whitehall 187; Mount Carmel 214, Belgrave Carpets B 276; Roefield C 314, Independents B 216; Abacus 232, Accrington Falcons 133; College 256, Telecom A 238; St Nicholas A 226, Roefield B 179.

Wilson Plate: Westholme WL 277, YMCA D 154; St Matthew's 284, St Nicholas B 163; Blackburn Juniors B 220, Olympic C 194; Blackburn Juniors A 219, Blackburn Blinds 213; Telecom B 240, Roefield D 161; Oympic B 234, Phoenix 205.

Division One: YMCA 4-93(5), YMCA A 11-177(14); YMCA B 2-115(4), Brockhall B 14-229(18).

Division Two: Avondale 11-191(14), Roefield B 5-167(8).

Division Three: Belgrave Carpets B 11-211(15), Olympic A 5-175(8); Whitehall 7-162(10), Brockhall B 9-187(12).

Fixtures for February 22-6 - Times Cup: Stanhill A (57) v Independents A; Pleckgate (16) v Brockhall A; Belgrave Carpets A v BAe; Salesbury A (100) v YMCA A; Roefield A (27) v YMCA C; YMCA B (120) v St Philip's.

Smith Cup: Prince Sports v Stanhill B; TAG v Independents C (160); Aztec (120) v Mount Carmel; Whitehall v Belgrave Carpets B (15); Independents B v Abacus (40); Brockhall B v Accrington Falcons (18); St Nicholas A v College (127); Telecom A v Olympic A (120).

Wilson Plate: Olympic C (116) v St Matthews; Blackburn Juniors B (110) v Wetholme WL; YMCA D (10) v St Nicholas B; Phoenix (55) v Roefield D; Blackburn Blinds (158) v Telecom B; Blackburn Juniors A (105) v Blackburn Olympic B.

Feb 27: Widnes v Blackburn 2nd; Feb 28: Final date for return of cups and trophies.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.