OWLEY Wood B boosted their chances of competing in the Northwich and District League’s top-flight next season after beating a rival in the promotion race.

They led 3-0 at Lion A, who started last Wednesday’s contest a point behind them in the Division Two table, before their hosts rallied.

However successes for Alan Brace and captain Dave Wright secured a 5-2 win that establishes a five-point gap to third place.

Greenbank A occupy that position after resisting a fight-back by Barn Owl B, although they needed skipper Nick Clarke to hold his nerve in a decider.

Elsewhere leaders Castle C returned from a trip to back-markers Greenbank C as victors, and are six points clear.

Gladstone C resumed what they hope will be a successful bid to recapture the Division One title by whitewashing Gladstone A.

Their advantage over champions Castle D, who shared four frames with Barn Owl E before moving clear, is worth eight points.

Gladstone B came from 2-1 down to inflict a surprise defeat on third-placed Gladstone E, while back-markers Rudheath were thwarted when Shaun Tench won a decisive frame for Castle A in their head-to-head.

Slow & Easy extended a winning sequence to six matches in Division Three when they took the scalp of third-placed Iron Bridge H.

The Lostock outfit lost their first five fixtures of the current campaign.

Iron Bridge A strengthened their hold on the second promotion place after Lee Walker, their captain, took a deciding seventh frame against Moulton Legion.

Table-toppers Broken Cross were gifted maximum points by Witton Chimes B after they conceded, and there were wins too for Green Dragon and Blue Barrel A.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 11

Division One: Castle A 4-3 Rudheath; Castle D 5-2 Barn Owl E; Gladstone C 7-0 Gladstone A; Gladstone E 3-4 Gladstone B. No game: Gladstone B.

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

Division Three: Blue Barrel A 5-2 Greenbank B; Broken Cross w/o Witton Chimes B; Green Dragon 6-1 Blue Barrel B; Iron Bridge A 4-3 Moulton Legion; Slow & Easy 5-2 Iron Bridge H.

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington