SIX players contributed a maximum break for their team on a night when Gladstone C ensured they will retain the Northwich and District League title.

Bob Holness and Darryl Fallows both cleared the table in a single visit during the champions’ 6-1 win at Castle C.

Castle D’s challenge ended after a defeat against Castle A, Nick Hamman chalking up a third 8-ball break of the campaign for the victors.

Jack Carroll matched his feat.

Castle B thrashed Gladstone E, who took consolation from Colin Lightfoot’s maximum preventing a whitewash, while Owley Wood B recovered from 3-1 down to beat Rudheath.

Colin Fletcher held his nerve in a decisive frame.

Greenbank A, front-runners in Division Two, took an unexpected tumble when they lost at home to Lion A.

After sharing the first four frames, which included Mark Clays’ completing a list of maximum break-makers, the teams were separated when Ashley Davies and Matthew Staniforth won the next two for the Moulton outfit.

Barn Owl B occupy the second promotion position after captain Barry Watkins’ victory in a deciding frame saw them past Owley Wood A.

The Barnton side have won five successive matches, a sequence that has taken them past Greenbank C who slipped up at Iron Bridge A.

The promotion-hopefuls trailed 3-0 before fighting back, only for Peter Watson’s final-frame victory to deny them.

Elsewhere Gladstone D and Witton Albion, after Andrew Egerton got them over the line, celebrated comeback wins against Broken Cross and Witton Chimes A respectively.

Nothing is decided in a race to be promoted from Division Three after leaders Green Dragon A lost narrowly at home to Winnington Rec.

Gaz Owen won a decisive frame for the home team, while a 6-1 win for Green Dragon B against Wheatsheaf cut a lead to top spot to two points.

Greenbank B are the other team in the running following triumphing at Witton Chimes B.

They will take on Green Dragon B in a winner-takes-all final fixture.

Elsewhere Slow & Easy A won three successive frames, from 3-1 down, to inflict a defeat on Iron Bridge H and Slow & Easy B prevailed at back-markers Blue Barrel.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 17

Wednesday, February 27

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

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

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

Fixtures

Week 18

Wednesday, March 6

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

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

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

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington