THREE players made a maximum break during the Northwich and District League’s latest round, including one for the defending champions.

Leigh Cobley’s turn for Castle D helped them to recover from 2-1 down to beat clubmates Castle A after taking the final four frames.

They draw level at the Division One summit with Gladstone D, who were grateful to Matty Hubert for holding his nerve in a deciding frame away at Barn Owl E.

The Barnton outfit had led 3-2 before Darryl Fallows restored parity.

Rudheath remain bottom of the pile after twice letting slip a lead in a head-to-head with third-placed Gladstone E, for whom Paul Thorp won the final frame.

Elsewhere in the top-flight Steve Baskerville was again a match-winner for Castle B as they edged Gladstone B.

Andrew Egerton’s clearance for leaders Castle C was a highlight of their 5-2 victory against closest-rivals Owley Wood B in Division Two.

Their lead is now worth nine points, and return looks likely to a level from which they were relegated at the end of last season.

Lion A roared back from 3-0 down to beat Gladstone D, Dalton Parker completing a recovery that keeps his side in a race to be promoted.

Back-markers Wheatsheaf recorded only a second win of the season when they edged free-falling Witton Chimes A, who have lost their past four matches.

Paul Dixon was the third player to put every ball from a single visit to the table, although it could not prevent Owley Wood A losing narrowly at home to Barn Owl B.

Broken Cross continue to lead the way in Division Three, although they were made to work by their hosts Moulton Legion.

Iron Bridge A closed a gap to seven points after restricting their neighbours Blue Barrel A to a single frame.

Iron Bridge H stay third after hammering Blue Barrel B, while Greenbank B were similarly emphatic victors against Green Dragon.

Improving Slow & Easy rise to fifth after recovering from losing the first two frames against Witton Chimes B.

Results

Northwich and District League

Week Nine

Division One: Barn Owl E 3-4 Gladstone C; Castle D 5-2 Castle A; Gladstone B 3-4 Castle B; Rudheath 3-4 Gladstone E. No game: Gladstone A.

Division Two: Castle C 5-2 Owley Wood B; Gladstone D 3-4 Lion A; Greenbank A 4-3 Greenbank C; Owley Wood A 3-4 Barn Owl B; Wheatsheaf 4-3 Witton Chimes A.

Division Three: Blue Barrel B 1-6 Iron Bridge H; Greenbank B 6-1 Green Dragon; Iron Bridge 6-1 Blue Barrel A; Moulton Legion 3-4 Broken Cross.

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington