Barn Owl C beat relegation rivals to improve chances of beating drop from Northwich and District Pool League's top flight

They swap places with Castle Private C at the bottom of Division One following a 5-2 win that leaves them nine points from a position of safety with five matches left.

Elsewhere Darryl Fallows and Eric Webber both contributed maximum breaks to champions Gladstone C’s win, their 13th of the campaign, at home to Castle Private A.

Rudheath, narrow victors against Gladstone B, remain ahead of third-placed Gladstone A in a race to finish as runners-up.

With leaders Greenbank A not in action, Nectar’s took over top spot in Division Two as a reward for thrashing Iron Bridge.

Third-placed Lion A’s promotion hopes took a significant hit after they lost unexpectedly at back-markers Witton Chimes A, for whom Trever Marshall won a deciding seventh frame.

Barn Owl E proved too strong for relegation-threatened Greenbank C, while Moulton Legion rise to fifth after beating Barn Owl B.

Lion B recovered from a defeat last time out, returning to the Division Three summit after a 6-1 win at home to Blue Barrel B.

Rivals Bowling Green dropped points at home to Salt Barge, and were grateful for Nigel Shore for winning the seventh frame.

Barn Owl A remain an outside bet to break into the top two after edging past Greenbank B.

Barn Owl H won for the first time in 2016 at Blue Barrel A, moving above their hosts in the standings, while Daniel Naden held his nerve to secure a 4-3 victory for Witton Chimes B at neighbours Green Dragon B.

Results

Northwich and District League

Week 18, Division One: Barn Owl D 4 Green Dragon A 3; Castle Pvt C 2 Barn Owl C 5; Gladstone A 5 Castle Pvt B 2; Gladstone C 5 Castle Pvt A 2; Rudheath 4 Gladstone B 3.

Division Two: Barn Owl E 5 Greenbank C 2; Moulton Legion 5 Barn Owl B 2; Nectar’s 6 Iron Bridge 1; Witton Chimes A 4 Lion A 3.

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