CASTLE D kept alive their hopes of catching champions Gladstone C at the Northwich and District League summit by whitewashing Green Dragon A on Wednesday.

It leaves them six points adrift of the Division One leaders, who they are scheduled to host in the final round, with two matches left.

Nick Clarke, Greenbank A’s captain, opened his side’s clash with Gladstone C by clearing the table.

However the pacesetters won five of the six frames that followed his maximum break.

Gladstone B played out a thriller with Castle A, recovering from 3-1 down to level when Danny Macintyre potted all eight balls from a single visit to the table.

Dave Cain then won a deciding seventh frame for the visitors.

Nectar’s improved their chances of avoiding relegation by beating mid-table Gladstone A, closing to within three points of a position of safety.

Back-markers Castle C were less fortunate though, surrendering a 3-1 lead in a defeat to clubmates Castle B.

Barn Owl E are all but certain to be promoted to the top-flight as champions after inflicting on promotion rivals Witton Chimes A a third successive defeat.

The Barnton outfit have now won eight successive matches, establishing a seven-point lead at the Division Two summit.

Ian Flood won a decisive frame for Lion B, who rise to second following a 4-3 win against Gladstone D.

Elsewhere, Lion A edged Greenbank C and Barn Owl B proved too strong for Moulton Legion in a 6-1 success.

Witton Chimes B closed to within a point of a promotion place in Division Three following a 6-1 win against Blue Barrel A.

Vice-captain Matthew Johnson’s frame success provided consolation for the visitors, whose hopes of going up have likely been dashed as a result.

Wheatsheaf stay second after hammering Blue Barrel B, while leaders Barn Owl A saw off Greenbank B in convincing fashion.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 16

Division One: Castle B 4-3 Castle C; Castle D 7-0 Green Dragon A; Gladstone B 3-4 Castle a; Gladstone C 5-2 Greenbank A; Nectar’s 5-2 Gladstone A

Division Two: Barn Owl E 6-1 Witton Chimes A; Greenbank C 3-4 Lion A; Lion B 4-3 Gladstone D; Moulton Legion 1-6 Barn Owl B; Owley Wood 5-2 Iron Bridge

Division Three: Barn Owl A 5-2 Greenbank B; Blue Barrel B 1-6 Wheatsheaf; Green Dragon B 4-3 Barn Owl H; Witton Chimes B 6-1 Blue Barrel A. Free week: Broken Cross

Fixtures

Wednesday, March 1

Division One: Castle A v Nectar’s; Castle C v Gladstone B; Gladstone A v Castle D; Greenbank A v Castle B; Green Dragon A v Gladstone C

Division Two: Barn Owl B v Lion B; Gladstone D v Barn Owl E; Iron Bridge v Greenbank C; Lion A v Moulton Legion; Witton Chimes A v Owley Wood

Division Three: Barn Owl H v Blue Barrel B; Blue Barrel A v Green Dragon B; Greenbank B v Broken Cross; Wheatsheaf v Barn Owl A Free week: Witton Chimes B