GREAT Harwood's lead has been cut to six points this week following their 8-6 defeat at Haslingden. Ian McNeill won 21-15 for Haslingden with Norman Hill winning 21-2 for the leaders.

Colne Cricket Club and Sunnybank are in joint second place, Colne had a 10-4 victory at Edgworth, Glyn Shuttleworth winning 21-9 and Mick Howard won 21-7 for Edgworth.

Sunnybank had a 10-4 home win over Turton, Dave Cawley winning 21-4 for the home side. St Andrew's went down 8-6 at Nelson, Matt Harrison winning 21-13. Malcolm Shaw and Les Cookson both recorded 21-18 home wins. Darwen Subs had a 12-2 home win over Rishton Con, Allan Eccles winning 21-9, Harry Moles won 21-19 for the visitors. Farington Con continued their improved form with a 12-2 home win over Mortfield, Stuart Painter winning 21-10, Peter Consterdine won 21-9 for Mortfield. East Lancs had a 10-4 win at Greenhill, Paul Sutcliffe winning 21-7, Alan Gregory 21-5 for Greenhill. St Stephen's had a 10-4 home win over Globe, David Howarth winning 21-7 and Bill Finn won 21-14 for Globe.

Results: St Stephen's 10, Globe 4; Farington Con 12, Mortfield 2; Greenhill 4, East Lancs 10; Nelson 8, St Andrew's 6; Haslingden 8, Gt Harwood 6; Darwen Subs 12, Rishton Con 2; Edgworth 4, Colne Cricket 10; Sunnybank 10, Turton.

Fixtures for Sunday (11am start): Colne CC v Haslingden; East Lancs v Edgworth; Darwen Subs v Globe; Gt Harwood v Sunnybank; Mortfield v St Stephen's; Rishton Con v Nelson; St Andrew"s v Farington Con; Turton v Greenhill.

MERIT COMPETITION: Alan Handford (Colne CC) 77, Norman Hill (Gt Harwood) 70, Dave Fryer (East Lancs) 63, Glyn Shuttleworth (Colne Cricket) 62, Paul Sutcliffe (East Lancs) 62, Graham Wood (Globe) 59, Simon Willcocks (St Andrew's) 59, Malcolm Wensley (Gt Harwood) 58, Andy Pilkington (Haslingden) 51, John Bentley (Darwen Subs) 50.

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