A TEAM tipped for relegation has made a decisive intervention in the race for the Northwich and District League title.

Strugglers Hartford B, who have lost seven successive matches in Division One since November, ceded a single frame on their way to a crushing victory against challengers Owley Wood A.

At the same time, champions Rudheath A whitewashed visitors Barn Owl B to open a 10-points lead at the table’s summit with six matches left.

Elsewhere, Steve Moores’ maximum break helped Castle Private A to strengthen their hold on third place after winning at Buffs Club.

There were wins too on Wednesday night for Barn Owl A, Barn Owl D and Gladstone A, the latter at wooden spoonists Greenbank A.

In Division Two, pacesetters Barn Owl C’s advantage over their closest rivals is also bigger after they condemned Drum & Monkey to back-to-back defeats for the first time since October.

Bowling Green B stay second, just, after edging Owley Wood B by the odd frame with The Elms close behind after they proved too strong for back-markers Owley Wood C.

Thatched Tavern won at Castle Private B, while Wheatsheaf ended a sequence of six successive defeats when beating Gladstone B.

Division Three table-toppers Greenbank B put daylight between themselves and the chasing pack after winning away to Barn Owl E.

The gap to next best, Hartford A, is five points following their narrow defeat at Slow & Easy, the Lostock outfit closing to within four points of a promotion place as a reward.

Chapels A lost for a third time in their past four outings, a 4-3 reverse at Beech Tree harming further their chances of a top two finish.

Of the rest, Nectar’s were easy winners at Winnington Lodge while promotion outsiders Rudheath B and The Lion conquered Chapels B and Davenham Legion respectively.

A full results round-up, plus the latest tables, are printed in the Guardian every week.