PREMIER Division champions Ramsbottom A scored maximum points against Lostock to move in to second place in the BSF Table Tennis League.

They are now two points behind leaders Tonge A, who maintained their 100 per cent record with an 8-1 win against Hilton A.

Horwich Hilton jumped to third spot with a 7-2 victory at Nomads, which included three wins for Billy Russell.

Tameside ran out 7-2 winners against Wharton A in a match which was closer than the score suggests, with six sets decided on the fifth game. New signing Roger Hampson trebled for the winners.

Four teams, all with 14 points, head the Division One table. Little Lever C, who have a match in hand on the other three, beat Heaton A 6-3 to join them on 14 points. Ladybridge A are level with them after beating Heaton B by the same scoreline.

Ramsbottom B are the other team on 14 points, as they won 5-4 at Wingates. John Hutchinson of Little Lever, George Simpson of Ladybridge and Martin Holton of Rammy B all won three games to help their respective sides to victory.

Roy Costello won three for Little Lever B, as did Kevan Orton for YMCA, but both players finished on the losing side.

Hilton C are the new leaders of Division Two after beating a weakened Tonge B side 8-1.

Meadow Hill A dropped to second spot after losing 5-4 at Heaton C. The victory included a treble for Dave Holden, making his first appearance for Heaton.

John Biggins also won three sets on his debut for Hilton D, who won 7-2 at Heaton E. Siful Khan won three sets for Hilton E, who scraped a 5-4 win at Nomads, and Mark Martin notched a treble for Little Lever D, who went down 6-3 at Ramsbottom C.

Division Three leaders Ellesmere A, who scored maximum points in their first two matches, scraped home 5-4 on their visit to Hilton H thanks to three wins by Dennis Hough. Ladybridge B jumped to second spot after their 7-2 win at bottom team Ellesmere B. There were trebles for Phil Stewart and sub Fred Parker.

Cathy Jones maintained her unbeaten record for BEN A, and, with Mike Heaton winning three matches, they beat Hilton I 6-3.

Bolton YMCA moved to the top of Division Four with an 8-1 win at Tonge C.

Ladybridge C scored their first win of the season defeating Hilton M 7-2, a victory which included three wins by Fred Parker.

Ladybridge D won 5-4 at Irlam, thanks partly to two wins each from Andy Scully and Robin Llewellyn.