NECTAR’S made the most of defeats for their promotion rivals to lead a chasing pack behind runaway leaders Greenbank A.

Captain Rick Vale won a deciding frame at Barn Owl E in Division Two on Wednesday, although the surprise of the round was high-flying Lion A coming a cropper at home to Barn Owl B.

After starting the season with seven successive losses, the Barnton outfit have won three straight.

Owley Wood’s hopes of moving closer to the summit were hit following a narrow defeat at Iron Bridge.

At the bottom, Witton Chimes A are 13 points adrift of a position of safety after losing at home to Moulton Legion.

In Division Three, pacesetters Bowling Green and Lion B have opened a gap at the table’s summit.

The leaders won at Blue Barrel A, while the Moulton outfit restricted promotion rivals Barn Owl A to a single frame in their head-to-head.

Witton Chimes B squeezed past Blue Barrel B, while Salt Barge recovered at the first attempt – beating Barn Owl H – after losing last week.

Rod Scott’s maximum break for champions Gladstone C was a highlight of a 6-1 success against Castle Private C, leaving them 17 points clear in top spot.

The race for second place is much closer, with three teams separated by five points.

Rudheath ended a three-match losing run by edging Green Dragon A, while Gladstone A dented hosts Barn Owl D’s chances of finishing as runners-up following a 5-2 win.

Leigh Cobley cleared the table in a single visit for the home team.

Castle Private B occupy fourth position after beating Gladstone B, while Castle Private A proved too good for back-markers Barn Owl C.

Results

Northwich and District League

Week 11, Division One: Barn Owl D 2 Gladstone A 5; Castle Pvt A 6 Barn Owl C 1; Castle Pvt B 5 Gladstone B 2; Gladstone C 6 Castle Pvt C 1; Green Dragon A 3 Rudheath 4

Division Two: Barn Owl E 3 Nectar’s 4; Greenbank C 2 Greenbank A 5; Iron Bridge 4 Owley Wood 3; The Lion A 3 Barn Owl B 4; Witton Chimes A 2 Moulton Legion 5

Division Three: Barn Owl A 1 The Lion B 6; Blue Barrel B 3 Witton Chimes B 4; Bowling Green 5 Blue Barrel A 2; Greenbank B 6 Green Dragon B 1; Salt Barge 5 Barn Owl H 2

Additional reporting by Kevin Barry