LAYTON Institute have had a thin time of it in the Lancashire small table snooker tournament after early successes - but they are right in line to set the record straight.

They coasted into the semi-finals when they slammed Nelson's Alexandra and are now hot favourites to beat another Nelson team, Star Cycling, in the semis and go on to win the "ten reds" event.

Star coasted in against Highfield (Blackpool) in the quarter-finals but they will find Layton's battle-hardened squad a tougher proposition.

In the other semi-final, Burnley's Top Break, who beat Cherry Tree (Blackburn) 4-2 in the quarters, will face Hoddlesden Con (Darwen) who knocked out champions Falcon (Poulton) 4-2.

The Falcon won the title last year as the Durban from Cleveleys and they were confident of at least reaching this season's final. But, at 3-2 down, Falcon captain Alan Kenny found John Harrop just too good.

The semis and final will be played at Claremont Con Club, Blackpool, next month.

Hoddlesden v Top Break is on Monday, May 10; Layton v Star Cycling is on the following day. The final of the £600 event is on the Thursday.

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