A RACE to be promoted to the Northwich and District League’s top-flight next season is too close to call after the latest round of matches.

Greenbank A, long-time leaders in Division Two, are almost certain to finish first after a 6-1 thrashing of closest-rivals Broken Cross leaves them 15 points clear with four matches left.

Six teams below them are separated by just three points.

Greenbank C sit third after surviving a scare against Gladstone D; Steve Holehouse won a deciding frame after their opponents had fought back from 3-0 down to level.

Elsewhere Owley Wood A lost the first two frames in their meeting with Witton Chimes A but remain in contention after winning the next four.

Barn Owl B, victors against Witton Albion after captain Barry Watkins won a decisive seventh frame, and Iron Bridge A – who prevailed 5-2 at lowly Lion A – kept their hopes alive too.

Gladstone C returned to the Division One summit after a head-to-head with Owley Wood B that featured two maximum breaks.

Shaun Brearley cleared the table in a single visit for the champions, while Dave Wright potted all eight balls to claim the Weaverham outfit’s solitary frame.

Castle D, who did not play, are three points adrift.

Gladstone B remain in third position after recording a seventh win form their past eight attempts, the latest one at Castle A’s expense after Dave Swindley won a decider.

Green Dragon A moved four points clear at the top of Division Three following a 5-2 win against Slow & Easy A.

They were assisted too by Greenbank B slipping up at back-markers Wheatsheaf where Paul Owen and Graham Crouch took the final two frames for the hosts.

Third-placed Iron Bridge H lost unexpectedly at home to Winnington Rec, who won four of the first five frames.

Green Dragon B remain in contention after thrashing Blue Barrel in their encounter.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 14

Wednesday, January 30

Division One: Castle A 3-4 Gladstone B; Castle B 5-2 Castle C; Gladstone E 3-4 Rudheath; Owley Wood B 1-6 Gladstone C. No game: Castle D

Division Two: Barn Owl B 4-3 Witton Albion; Gladstone D 3-4 Greenbank C; Greenbank A 6-1 Broken Cross; Lion A 2-5 Iron Bridge A; Witton Chimes A 3-4 Owley Wood A.

Division Three: Blue Barrel 1-6 Green Dragon B: Green Dragon A 5-2 Slow & Easy A; Iron Bridge H 2-5 Winnington Rec; Slow & Easy B 4-3 Witton Chimes B; Wheatsheaf 4-3 Greenbank B.

Fixtures

Week 15

Wednesday, February 6

Alan Backhouse Team Knockout Cup

Semi-finals: Castle D v Gladstone C; Iron Bridge H v Castle C (both at Gladstone Club)

Supplementary Shield

Semi-finals: Iron Bridge A v Greenbank C; Witton Chimes A v Rudheath (both at Castle)

Division One: Owley Wood B v Castle B.

Division Three: Green Dragon A v Winnington Rec; Wheatsheaf v Green Dragon B.

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington