DIVISION Four title contenders Whalley enjoyed a thumping 9-1 away victory over Slammers.

Eric Ronnan and Graham Davie were unbeaten on the night and two wins from John Price sealed their win.

Baxenden's quest for promotion took a backward step when they only drew 5-5 with fast-improving Apples.

Trevor Greenwood was the master on the night for the Bash side.

Leaders Brierfield had a similar scoreline against Apples - Derek Parkinson was unbeaten on the night for the table toppers.

Springhill's promotion push has faltered, this week Donnay International, their opponents, held them to a 6-4 scoreline with Saqib Mehrban the star for the winners.

In Division One, second-placed Buraccs had a mixed week. First they went down 7-3 against a strong Royal Mail side. Keith Lee was in form for the winners. They reversed the scoreline in a 7-3 win over Attackers with Bernard Cain unbeaten for the visitors.

The New Era Youth Club clash with Royal Mail resulted in a 5-5 draw. Old warhorse Chris Byrne preserving his unbeaten record for the Youth Club side and Arthur Hartshorn, the master tactician, taking the scalp of Simon Ledwick 18-21, 21-13, 21-19.

Allspeeds' clash with East Lancs resulted in a 10-0 win for the champions. Keith Ward, Keith Jackson and fiery Frank Hamer were the winners. In Division Two champions-elect Haslingden CC outclassed third-placed Pedigree Chums 8-2, Peter Barnham and Andy Horrocks were the unbeaten duo.

Second-placed Sunnybank with Peter Beetham and Ian Spencer in full flow look to have that promotion look with a convincing 8-2 win over Fourmost.

Rovers are back on form with a 7-3 away win over Tek-Neek, Blackburn import Steve Lyons the star on the night and if they win their two matches in hand could clinch promotion. Raiders had a smash and grab raid over Sports & Social Club winning 9-1. John Leech, Harry Rawcliffe and Dick Budd were the winning trio.

Division Two leaders Kay Street were indebted to Trevor Elkington who stops the merit table to produce an unbeaten display in a close 6-4 away win over Optimists. Shahsmen had a similar winning scoreline against Hustlers. Stuart Bloomer was the main man for the winners.

Harlequins with Danny Chamberlain back in form, just pipped Antley 6-4. Ageless Alan Schofield had two fine wins for the victors.

Casuals with Alan Oermrod and Martin Smith in terrific form, easily outclassed luckless Dash A. Daniel and Matt Huntingdon the unbeaten duo.

Results - Division One: Allspeeds Clayton-le-Moors 10, East Lancs CC 0; Attackers 3, Buraccs 7; Buraccs 3, Royal Mail Burnley 7; Royal Mail Burnley 5, New Era Youth Club 5.

Division Two: Pedigree Chums 2, Haslingden CC 8; Raiders 9, Sports & Social 1; Sports & Social 6, Raiders 4; Sunnybank SC Helmshore 8, Fourmost 2; Tek-Neek Blackburn 3, Rovers 7.

Division Three: Antley Church 4, Harlequins 6; DASH 1, Casuals 9; DASH 1, New ERa Res 9; Optimists 4, Kay St Baptist Rawtenstlal 6; Shahsmen 6, Hustlers 4.

Division Four: Apples 5, Brierfield 5; Donnay Int 4, Springhill 6; Slammers 2, Whalley 8; Apples 5, Baxenden 5; Whalley 9, Slammers 1.

The first round proper of the Allspeeds Cup must be played week beginning March 15: Raiders v DASH; Pedigree Chums v Mixed; Kay St Baptist Rawtenstall v Whalley; Springhill v Optimists; Allspeeds Clayton-le-Moors v Stanhill WMC; Brierfield v Baxenden; Apples v Three B's; East Lanc CC v Slammers.

An updated handicap list will be issued to all qualifying teams for use in the first round matches.

Results - Group Five: Sunnybank SC 4, Rovers 5. Group Seven: Stanhill WMC 6, Fourmost 3. Group Eight: Buraccs 3, East Lancs CC 6.

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