VIP Snooker took full advantage of Park and Longshaw B’s postponement with a fine 5-3 victory at Hoddlesden Con to climb back to the top of the table.

VIP made a splendid start when captain Jake Fuller inflicted a rare home defeat on Steve Hill.

Dion Holcroft rode his luck to make it 2-0 with a dogged win over Jim Ollerton and then Fuller and partner Murad Iqbal made it three in a row, beating Dave Fenwick and partner Jas Hoole.

Hoodlesden, it seemed, were heading for defeat before Joe Roebuck turned on the style to defeat Ibby Khan with some breathtaking potting.

The canny veteran Alf Illaria made the score 3-2 with some quality safety play to shut out Iqbal before VIP restored their two frame advantage when Chris Alker teamed up with Khan to defeat Illaria and Roebuck.

Back came Hoddlesden, though, skipper Dave Fenwick beating Ali on a re-spotted black to give themselves the chance of salvaging a draw.

It wasn’t enough, though, as Umar Hussain defeated Hoole to take the frame and the match as VIP eased nine points clear at the summit.

Mill Hill A are the new leaders of the Blackburn Mill Hill Engineering Division Two after they defeated nearest title rivals Orchard.

Mill Hill A were quickly in charge, racing into a 3-0 lead. Eamon Bufton took the first frame with victory over Dave Brown and Dan Waits picked up the second, defeating Jordan Hamilton.

Then, Eamon Bufton and partner John Ferguson extended their lead further, assisted by Bufton’s 51 break.

Orchard stopped the rot and put a point on the board in the next, Dan Heald beating Darren Johnson.

However, Mill Hill A were quickly back in the groove, Ferguson beating Webster.

Mick Bufton and Johnson took the final pairs, as Mill Hill A moved a point ahead of Rishton, who enjoyed their away day at the Anchor, defeating their A team 6-2.

Anchor B, meanwhile, landed a hard fought draw at Feniscowles.

It was nip and tuck throughout, with neither side ever more than a frame ahead.

Lee Fitzpatrick took the opener for Feniscowles before a rejuvenated Bernard Goulding levelled it for the Anchor.

The visitors went ahead in the next when Dave Houghton and Graham Melia beat Dave Sears and Steven Furey.

But Feniscowles fought back hard, Alan Grogan enjoying a comfortable win over Houghton - before skipper Jamie Costello beat Rob Walsh to ensure Anchor a 3-2 advantage.

Brian Whittle and James Leigh then beat Costello and Gary Hillman in the doubles to level again, before Hillman inflicted a rare defeat on Keith Grogan, with the match finely balanced 4-3 in favour of Anchor.

Then Feniscowles skipper Ammi Dippolito saved the best to last , defeating Graham Melia 47-30 to level it 4-4.

Mill Hill B were beaten 5-3 by Darwen Golf Club. Tom Maudsley fired Darwen in front, beating Andy Crudge on the colours and then Russ Baron continued his excellent form, defeating Lee Cooper.

Dom Fitzgerald made it 4-1 with a good win against Walt Jarvis. Mick Killilea and Lol Prior gave Mill Hill some hope with doubles success against the Maudsleys before Killilea kept his good run going, coming from behind against Geogarty.

The win moves Darwen up the table, one point ahead of Mill Hill B.