FORREST B secured a valuable win in their top-of-the-table clash with Oakgate A in the B Section.

For Oakgate, Nayn Min and Karen Snape claimed the opening two mixed 21-15, 21-16 against Forrest’s first pairing Kirk Pendlebury and Carolyn Wood.

However, Forrest B began to show their strength in the mixed with some convincing scores.

Paul Hardman and Claire Nelson had a close battle with Simon Froude and Michelle Parkinson in the first of their two games winning 23-21, but they picked up the pace in the second with a commanding 21-7 win.

Forrest were leading 8-2 and thought they had the match won but Oakgate showed they would not go down without a fight and staged a comeback, collecting six of the eight levels.

However, Forrest had halves in the second and third levels to ensure a 10-8 win.

Forrest A were also in winning form as they piled the misery on Markland Hill B.

Forrest’s Ron Welsh and Paula Wright halved their first games against Hill’s first pair Chris Taylor and Kath Wain-Mahoney, 21-19, 18-21.

Forrest’s top pair, Matt Green and Debbie Rigby got off to a shaky start against Graham Holt and Jo Denner as the home side took the first game 21-18. But Green and Rigby settled the score by winning the second game 21-10.

After the mixed, the scores were 5-5. Debbie Rigby and Becky Shurvinton edged Forrest in front as they claimed the first ladies’ games 21-15, 21-15.

When first men’s and second ladies’ games were halved, Forrest were within one game of a guaranteed two league points.

Ron Welsh and Joe Steele claimed the games 19 and 14 against county veterans Graham Holt and Phil Howe to seal an 11-7 win for Forrest.

The fine week for Forrest stopped at their C team, however, when they were beaten by close rivals Westhoughton B.

After some close games in the mixed, Westhoughton took a 6-4 lead into the levels.

Ruth Atherton and Viv Coleman claimed two more games for the visitors at first ladies, however Forrest’s second ladies pairing, Pratibha Patel and Georgina Watford, pulled two back for the home side.

The match hinged on the final game of the night, with Forrest having to take the game for a draw and Westhoughton needing it for a win. And Westhoughton’s men clinched the tense game 21-19 for a 10-8 win.

In D Section, Metro C were able to leapfrog Forrest F in the table with an 11-7 win.

At first men’s Chris Mealor and Mark Rideout claimed a convincing 21-6 win against Denis Corbett and Peter Holden. However, the promising Forrest youngsters dropped the second 21-17.

Experience shone in the ladies doubles, as the Metro Ladies claimed all four games to 12, 16, 11 and 11 to move towards the points.

Bolton Badminton League is hosting a series of sessions aimed at encouraging more people to play the sport.

In addition to being offered the chance to play badminton free of charge, representatives from the league and local clubs will illustrate the opportunities available for coaching and both social and competitive badminton in the local area.

The next session will take place on Tuesday, December 15, starting at 7.30pm at Markland Hill Lawn Tennis Club, Victoria Road, Heaton, BL1 5AN.

More information is available from Ray Schofield on 01257 430961.

RESULTS Section A: Hawkshaw B 1 Bury 17; Racketeers 18 Hawkshaw C 0; Markland Hill A 18 Markland Hill C 0.

Section B: Forrest B 10 Oakgate A 8; Deane A 5 Forrest B 13; Westhoughton A 9 Oakgate A 9; Markland Hill D 10 Sharples A 8.

Section C: Hawkshaw D 9 Westhoughton B 9; D L Farnworth B 14 Deane C 4; Forrest D 8 Westhoughton B 10; Hawkshaw D 4 Forrest C 14.

Section D: Moorside A 2 Metros B 16; Smithills B 3 Oakgate B 15; Metros C 11 Forrest F 7.

Section E: Moorside C 13 Lads & Girls A 5; Lads & Girls B 3 Moorside D 15; D L Farnworth D 2 Moorside B 16.