CHAMPIONS Rudheath will spend the winter break at the Northwich and District League’s Division One summit, nine points better off than closest rivals Gladstone C.

Captain Kevin Barry contributed a maximum break to their latest success at Bowling Green A.

Gladstone matched the pacesetters’ 5-2 victory, with struggling back-markers The Elms on the receiving end.

Andy Flanagan and Danny McIntyre potted all eight balls in a single visit to the table during Gladstone B’s crushing of clubmates Gladstone A, while Barn Owl D recovered from losing the first two frames against Green Dragon A to win.

Barn Owl C piled on the misery for Barn Owl B, celebrating a whitewash.

Division Two leaders Hartford B suffered only their second defeat of the season, this one on their own table against guests Owley Wood B.

Castle Private, front of the chasing back, returned to winning ways after back-to-back reverses to close the gap to 10 points.

Their success was at Slow & Easy.

Greenbank A and Hartford A occupy third and fourth place in the table respectively following away wins at Iron Bridge and Owley Wood C.

Witton Chimes were the week’s other victors, beating Wheatsheaf.

Chapels established a four-point distance to second-placed Blue Barrel in Division Three, aided by a 6-1 defeat of lowly Davenham Legion.

Their rivals’ winning sequence stopped at five though following a narrow home reverse against Nectar’s.

The Lion climb to third position as reward for a comfortable victory at Green Dragon B, while Barn Owl E were pushed hard for their win at Greenbank B.

Meanwhile Winnington Lodge have been expelled from the competition as a punishment for failing to fulfil fixtures in recent weeks.

As they have completed more than half of their matches, their results record – 10 defeats from as many outings – remains.