British National champion Laura Massaro made a winning return to North West Counties League action as she helped keep her East Lancashire side in the clear at the top of Division One.

The leaders were facing defeat against Bowdon after her husband Danny and Matthew Siddaway were beaten – but Massaro, playing number three, beat Glen Ragou 1-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6 in an epic five-game battle on the Dukes Brow courts.

Daniel Turner and Nigel Willis then won their matches to give East Lancs a 16-11 victory that keeps them seven points clear of second-placed Northern.

They go to Warrington on Tuesday.