NEWLY-promoted St Philip's found the going hard against fellow First Division strugglers Independents A in the Blackburn and District Badminton League.

Having home advantage they were unable to make any gains, with Independents proving to be much the stronger side. However, A Howard and C Greenwood were the only couple to take their mixed doubles for the Saints. At the other end YMCA A were forced to fall back on two of their experienced players, and were made to play hard by Pleckgate to maintain their long run of non-defeats.

Salesbury A may be the team to watch out for as this week they completely outplayed newly-promoted Belgrave Carpets.

Accrington Falcons who continue to dominate the top of the Fourth Division, were entertained by Telecom B who had no answer to the skill of their opponents.

The Falcons dropped only a men's doubles event.

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Blackburn Juniors A earned a well-deserved win over Independent C and already they have made their mark within this division.

Dominating play in the mixed doubles, they allowed their opposition the opportunity of fighting back in the ladies doubles where they lost two of the events.

High-flying College were brought back down to earth following their heavy defeat at the hands of YMCA C.

New club Roefield Leisure Centre, entering the league in the Fifth Division, have still to find their feet and take their first win.

But however, they are putting up a good show. They suffered their second defeat at the hands of Olympic C, and then went on to a narrower defeat, this time to Phoenix. Salesbury B dominate the top of the table, and having been relegated last season, look as though they intend to return to the Fourth Division at the first time of asking.

This time, it was third-placed Westholme Wilmar Lodge who suffered a heavy defeat.

Blackburn Juniors B - made up of young and inexperienced players - put up a good show in their match against Olympic C.

The youngsters put up some fine opposition and took four events.

Results - Division One: Stanhill A 2-105(4), Brockhall 14-227(18); Salesbury A 16-240(20), Belgrave Carpets 0-74(1); YMCA A 12-211(16), Pleckgate 4-168(7); St Philips 4-140(7), Independents A 12-215(16).

Division Two: Indepdndents B 2-127(4), Telecom A 14-230(18); Abacus 10-207(14), Stanhill B 6-183(9); Roefield A 13-224(17), St Nicholas A 3-151(6); YMCA C 10-203(14), BAe 6-134(8).

Division Three: Aztec 2-132(4), Avondale 14-229(18); Olympic A 7-177(10), Roefield B 9-214(13).

Division Four: Olympic B 5-166(8), YMCA D 11-194(14); Telecom B 1-82(2), Accrington Falcons 15-238(19); Blackburn Juniors A 12-214(16), Independents C 4-169(7); YMCA D 11-218(15), College 5-177(8).

Division Five: Roefield LC 4-141(6), Olympic C 12-217 (16); Westholme WL 2-85(3), Salesbury B 14-230(18); Phoenix 11-210(15), Roefield LC 5-115(7); Blackburn Blinds 3-98 (4), Roefield D 13-222(17); Olympic C 12-224(16), Blackburn Juniors B 4-101(6).

Fixtures - Nov 1: Under 18s level ladies double tournament; Veterans Men's Doubles Tournament. Nov 2: Under 18s Level men's Doubles Tournament; Veterans Ladies Doubles Tournament; Nov 3: Under 18s Level Mixed Doubles Tournament; Veterans Mixed Doubles Tournament; Nov 4: Under 18s Men's and Ladies Singles Tournament; Nov 7: Closing date for out of town players' registrations.

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