VIP saw their lead at the summit of the Blackburn with Darwen Snooker League slashed to a slender three points after second-placed Longshaw B blew the race for the Division One title wide open.

Chris Lawson and Craig Steele were in sparkling form, taking the first two frames, and they were on course for a third win before Steele missed a blue to allow VIP skipper Jake Fuller in for the steal.

The next frame, between Haider Ali and George Holden proved to be a nip and tuck affair before Holden switched up another gear to claim an important win.

Alan Heaton was unlucky in the next, when an outrageous fluke on the last red from VIP’s Chris Alker saw him lead with only pink and black on the table.

Heaton then potted the pink to the middle and looked to be landing perfectly on the black when the cue ball veered off.

However, Heaton held his nerve, and played a sparkling shot with the rest - only to see the black jaw.

But the visitors were not be denied as they stepped up another gear, rattling off the last three frames in double quick time and claim a crucial win.

Park Hotel are in the title mix too following their 7-1 victory over Longshaw A to keep them firmly in the title hunt and hot on the heels of VIP.

Fox and Hounds crashed to defeat at Hoddlesden Con, despite a stirring late fight back.

The home side had posted a 3-0 lead before the Fox put one on the board when skipper Derek Haworth beat Ash Taylor.

Jake Loftus took the next frame easily with the help of a 55 break and at 4-1 down it looked all over for the visitors.

But a spirited performance from the last pairing – Scott Morris and Lee Entwistle – found them within touching distance, and when Morris took the next they were eyeing a draw.

But Hoddlesden captain Fenwick made sure, edging past Mick McHugh.

Division Two leaders Mill Hill A lost a tight encounter away to Blackburn Golf B.

Golfers captain Mark Gorzella took the opener before Darren Johnson hit back for Mill Hill.

Dave Stephens and Paul Upton took the next before Stephens made it 3-1.

Mill Hill skipper Mick Bufton, enjoying his best ever start to a season, claimed the following frame before teaming up with brother Eamon to take the final pairs.

That was all they could manage as the Golf Club took the final two frames through Paul Upton and Stan Cook.

Orchard, in second place, failed to take advantage of Mill Hill’s defeat – crashing 5-3 to Mill Hill B.

John Harrison is making his mark as the new Wilpshire captain and he helped guide his team to a fourth win in a row, beating Feniscowles.