CASTLE D, the defending champions, remain out in front in a race for the Northwich and District League title following a whitewash of Gladstone B.

Kevin Barry, making his first appearance of the campaign, sent them on their way.

Gladstone C sit second, three points adrift and with a game in hand, after prevailing in a meeting with Gladstone E.

At the bottom, Rudheath boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation when they recorded only a second success of the campaign.

They trailed 2-0 at Castle B before fighting back.

Gladstone A are four points better off after coming from behind to beat Barn Owl E.

Nick Healy’s victory against Steve James, who had won each of his previous 12 matches this term, was a highlight.

Four teams remain in the running to be promoted from Division Two.

Leaders Castle C lost unexpectedly at home to Owley Wood A, allowing Owley Wood B to draw level on points despite themselves suffering a defeat.

They let slip a 3-1 lead against in-form Greenbank A, who occupy third place in the table after recording a seventh successive win.

Barn Owl B remain in contention following a 5-2 win at Lion A, where Barry Watkins maintained his 100 per cent record for the season.

Elsewhere Ste Roberts recorded the only maximum break of the round during Greenbank C’s victory against Witton Chimes A.

However they remain 12 points short of a position of safety.

Iron Bridge A strengthened their hold on a promotion place in Division Three when they won 5-2 at Blue Barrel B.

Closest-rivals Iron Bridge H succumbed to a 6-1 defeat at home to Greenbank B, leaving them 11 points adrift of their clubmates.

Elsewhere, season-long leaders Broken Cross were grateful to Nigel Powell and Dave Perrett for winning the final two frames of a close encounter with Green Dragon.

Slow & Easy recovered from 3-0 down to restore parity with Blue Barrel A, only for Paul Higgins to win a deciding frame for their opponents.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 14

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

Division Two: Castle C 2-5 Owley Wood A; Gladstone D 6-1 Wheatsheaf; Greenbank C 5-2 Witton Chimes A; Lion A 2-5 Barn Owl B; Owley Wood B 3-4 Greenbank A.

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

Fixtures for Wednesday

Alan Backhouse Team Knockout

Semi-finals

Gladstone C v Castle D (at Castle)

Witton Chimes A v Owley Wood B (at Gladstone Club)

Supplementary Shield

Semi-finals

Castle A v Slow & Easy (at Rudheath)

Rudheath v Lion A (at Gladstone Club)

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington