GLADSTONE C’s latest win over their closest-rivals was their biggest of the season and may have secured for them another Northwich and District League title.

Adam Griffiths cued a maximum break for the defending champions when they took the first four frames off visiting Castle D on the way to an emphatic 6-1 victory.

That leaves them six points clear at the top of the table with two matches left.

A battle to beat the drop rages too after back-markers Owley Wood B edged Castle C by the odd frame in seven.

They trail second-bottom Gladstone E, who squeezed past third-placed Castle A by the same margin, by two points with a game in hand.

Martyn Raistrick potted all eight balls during a single visit to the table during Castle B’s victory against Gladstone B.

Greenbank A took a significant step towards being promoted from the second division as champions following an impressive 6-1 win away to Witton Chimes A.

Their hosts occupy a position in the relegation zone, four points adrift of a position of safety.

Greenbank C moved into second spot after brushing aside back-markers Witton Albion, taking advantage of a slip-up by previous occupants Broken Cross who lost at Barn Owl B.

The Barnton outfit sit third.

Lion A will feel better after a 5-2 win over Owley Wood A boosted their survival hopes, taking four successive fames after losing the opener.

Iron Bridge A remain in trouble after succumbing to Gladstone D, for whom Duncan Sanders secured the bonus-points on offer.

A narrow 4-3 victory for Green Dragon B against clubmates Green Dragon A, the Division Three leaders, has kept alive their hopes of being promoted.

They trail Greenbank B, who they meet in the campaign’s final round, by a single point.

Iron Bridge H, in fourth, whitewashed wooden-spoonists Blue Barrel and are not yet out of contention.

Elsewhere Slow & Easy B recovered from 3-0 down to beat Winnington Rec, Albert Waldron levelling the scores before Rob Lang completed a remarkable comeback.

Improving Wheatsheaf recorded a third successive win, this time at visiting Witton Chimes B’s expense, to move further away from the table’s basement.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 16

Wednesday, February 20

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

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

Division Three: Greenbank B 5-2 Slow & Easy A; Green Dragon A 3-4 Green Dragon B; Iron Bridge H 7-0 Blue Barrel; Slow & Easy B 4-3 Winnington Rec; Wheatsheaf 5-2 Witton Chimes B.

Fixtures

Week 17

Wednesday, February 27

Division One: Castle C v Gladstone C; Castle D v Castle A; Rudheath v Owley Wood B; Gladstone E v Castle B. No game: Gladstone B

Division Two: Broken Cross v Gladstone D; Greenbank A v Lion A; Iron Bridge A v Greenbank C; Owley Wood A v Barn Owl B; Witton Albion v Witton Chimes A.

Division Three: Blue Barrel v Slow & Easy B; Green Dragon B v Wheatsheaf; Slow & Easy A v Iron Bridge H; Winnington Rec v Green Dragon A; Witton Chimes B v Greenbank B.

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington