THE Elms are favourites to finish last in the Northwich and District League’s top flight this season after losing at rivals Bowling Green last Wednesday.

Nathan Adshead contributed a maximum break for the victors, leaving the Pickmere outfit seven points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Castle Private B’s hopes of finishing third were hit after captain Rob Winnington lost a deciding frame to opposite number Dave Cain in a derby with Castle Private A.

Elsewhere champions-elect Gladstone C were denied a third successive whitewash when Darryl Fallows was beaten, for the first time this term, in the final frame of their head-to-head with Gladstone B.

Adam Griffiths made an 8-ball break for the pacesetters while Mike Kernan, who recently came through a trial to earn a Cheshire call-up, potted a final black to secure victory for Owley Wood A against lowly Gladstone A.

Greenbank A are favourites to be promoted from Division Two along with runaway leaders Green Dragon A after opening a four-point gap to third-placed Barn Owl B.

The Barnton outfit were defeated for a second successive week, this time away at Moulton Legion.

Owley Wood B’s hopes of pinching the second promotion place are fading after they lost at Greenbank C, while pacesetters Green Dragon A needed Simon Cross to edge a decider at home to Iron Bridge.

Back-markers Wheatsheaf recorded a third straight win.

In Division Three, The Lion B extended a winning sequence to a dozen matches after beating fourth-placed Greenbank B.

Pete Blain’s maximum was a highlight of their success.

Nectar’s, in third, are level on points with the Moulton outfit after recovering from last week’s reverse to beat Barn Owl E.

Barn Owl A squeezed past Davenham Legion by the odd frame, won by Paul Fletcher, while Greenbank D won for only the fourth time this term at Witton Chimes B.

Rock-bottom Blue Barrel B lost at home to Green Dragon B in the other game.

Results

Northwich and District League

Week 24

Division One

Barn Owl C 2 Rudheath 5; Bowling Green 5 The Elms 2; Castle Pvt B 3 Castle Pvt A 4; Gladstone C 6 Gladstone B 1; Owley Wood A 4 Gladstone A 3

Division Two

Greenbank A 5 The Lion A 2; Greenbank C 4 Owley Wood B 3; Green Dragon A 4 Iron Bridge 3; Moulton Legion 5 Barn Owl B 2; Wheatsheaf 4 Chapels 3

Division Three

Barn Owl A 4 Davenham Legion 3; Blue Barrel B 2 Green Dragon B 5; Nectar’s 6 Blue Barrel A 1; The Lion B 5 Greenbank B 2; Witton Chimes B 3 Greenbank D 4

Additional reporting by Kevin Barry