THERE were five eight-ball breaks across the top two divisions of the Northwich & District Pool League this week.

Adam Taylor, Darren Walton, Steve Maudy Moores, Pat Murray and Matty Hubert all cleaned up in what was a top-quality week of action.

Hubert’s break clinched the match for Division One leaders Gladstone C, who now have a healthy eight-point lead at the summit after beating Castle C.

After losing the opener, Gladstone rattled off the next six frames to win 6-1.

Maudy Moores and Murray’s eight-ballers came in a losing effort for Castle B against neighbours Castle D, for whom Paul Hennin and Ian James Flood picked up notable frame wins as the match ended 4-3.

Greenbank A are now in a tie for second spot after thumping Gladstone B 6-1 while Barn Owl pulled off an excellent comeback in a key match-up with fellow strugglers Rudheath.

Rudheath had led 3-1 but Barn Owl stormed back to claim a 4-3 win, with Davey Watkins carrying on the good work of Barry Watkins and Dave Bell to take the decisive frame.

Broken Cross were Division Two’s big winners thanks to Taylor’s eight-ball break, which came in the third frame of a 6-1 thrashing of Lion A.

There remains little to separate the division’s top two – Gladstone D and Green Dragon A – after both picked up victories.

Walton’s break helped Gladstone to a 4-3 win at the Lion B while Green Dragon bounced back from losing the opener to beat Owley Wood A 5-2.

Greenbank C stay third following a 4-3 win at Iron Bridge – with Babs Poole clinching the match in frame five – while Greenbank B moved further away from the bottom with a final-frame win at Witton Chimes A.

In Division Three, Slow & Easy extended their lead at the top after coming from 2-1 down to win 4-3 at Quayside, with Levi Pang completing their recovery.

Greenbank D suffered a blow in their pursuit of the leaders – they led Witton Chimes B 2-0 and 3-1 but fell to a 4-3 defeat.

Salt Barge produced a comeback of their own from 2-1 and 3-2 down to beat Wharton Cons in a decider while Winnington Park leapfrogged Moulton Legion with a crushing 6-1 victory.

Green Dragon B and Wheatsheaf’s fixture was not able to be concluded due to a table issue.