STANDEN Hall, relegated from Division One last season, look like they are in a hurry to return to the top flight.

They registered a resounding opening 10-0 away win over Shahsmen with Don Eastwood, David Borland and Robert Birch the winning trio.

Rovers had a closed 6-4 away victory over Allspeeds Reserves, captain Jim Fielding in tremendous form for the winners and Keith Ainscoe with two fine victories for the losers. Raiders, with a new youth policy, had a 7-3 away victory over SAS, Matt Hamer, Rachel McHugh and old warhorse Harry Rawcliffe with two wins each, sealed the win. New team Temple had a tight 6-4 home win over Kay Street, for whom Trevor Elkington was the star on the night.

In Division Three leaders Harlequins dropped points in a 5-5 draw with Casuals. Alan Ormerod had three victories, the highlight being the win over Danny Chamberlain 19-21, 23-21, 23-21. Optimists and Brierfield had a similar scoreline. Derek Parkinson was unbeaten for Brierfield.

Hustlers were in a mean mood against new team Razor Blades whitewashing them 10-0. Steven Riddiough, Peter Hamer and Saqib Mehrban look like title contenders. In Division Four, New Era Res defeated Springhill 6-4. Daniel Huntingdon the man in form for the youth club side with three superb wins. Baxenden had a similar winning scoreline over Slammers, Trevor Greenwood taking maximum points for the winners.

In Division One, new team Old Masters had a fine 7-3 away win over Attackers. Peter Wood and John Thornber were unbeaten.

Allspeeds' clash with Royal Mail from Burnley resulted in a 8-2 home win for the champions. Keith Jackson and Phil Blake were in unstoppable form for the victors, and battling Frank Hamer was unlucky only to win match against Arthur Hartshorn.

Results - Division One: Allspeeds 8, Royal Mail 2; Attackers 3, Old Masters 7; East Lancs CC 4, Hollands Pies 6; Sunnybank SC v New Era YC pp.

Division Two: Allspeeds Res 4, Rovers 6; Shahsmen 0, Standen Hall 10; Sprots & Social 3, Raiders 7; Temple 6, Kay St Baptist 4.

Division Three: Harlequins 5, Casuals 5; Hustlers 10, Razor Blades 0; Optimists 5, Brierfield 5.

Division Four: Slammers 4, Baxenden 6; Springhill 4, New Era Res 6.

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