SMITHILLS B edged a close-fought game against a Moorside C team three places above them in D Section of the Bolton League.

The result was in the balance right up to the final two games before ninth-placed Smithills sealed a 10-8 victory over their sixth-placed opponents.

It was first blood to Moorside as their second couple, Judith Parker and Brian Bainbridge, won the opening game 24-22.

Smithills’ first couple, Glynis Pilkington and Kevin Deighan, hit back immediately to take the second 21-16, and the close-fought nature of their encounters set the scene for the match.

Smithills’ second couple, Tony Sames and Vicky Stokes put their side ahead with a dominant performance which resulted in 21-9, 21-17 victories over Rhian Vickers and Graham Keeler.

The third couples shared their games, with Moorside’s Jane Whelan and Steve Barton winning the first 21-17, and Diane Hunt and Ken Lee taking the second 21-18.

Wins continued to be shared with Moorside’s Vickers and Whelan winning the first of the ladies’ games 21-18, and Pilkington and Hunt hitting back to claim the second 21-14.

Smithills’ Deighan and Lee won both close-fought men’s games against Keeler and Barton 21-18, to leave the final two men’s games to decide whether Smithills would win or draw.

Moorside’s Bainbridge and Barton won the first 21-17, but Sames and Lee would not be denied at the death, taking the final game of the night 21-18 to clinch the match for Smithills.

There was no surprise victory in another D Section match between seventh-placed DL Farnworth D and 11th-placed Moorside D. The higher placed side ran out comfortable 15-3 winners.

Farnworth’s second couple, Irene Crompton and Sam Ford, set the scene with a 21-15, 21-10 victory over Moorside’s first couple, Helen Williamson and Rob Farrar.

Farnworth had the match won after the mixed games, but Moorside dug in and opened their account with victory in the first of the ladies’ games when Williamson and Denise Fortune beat Kate Bridge and Kichelle Medard 21-19.

The Farnworth ladies hit back immediately by claiming the second game 21-14.

The first pair of men’s games went in Farnworth’s favour when Chris Elcock and Phil Ashcroft won 21-17, 21-16 against Farrar and Sean McLoone.

The second pair of ladies’ games were also shared when Moorside’s Jean Gooddy and Fortune won the first 21-17 and Crompton and Medard took the second 21-19.

The last two men’s games went to Farnworth’s Ford and Ashcroft when they beat Graham Culf and McLoone 21-14, 21-6.

In C Section, DL Farnworth B beat Moorside B 14-4.