DEANE A and Smithills A fought out a hotly-contested draw at the top of the Bolton Badminton League's D Section.

Visitors Smithills went ahead when Jan Roberts and Clive Bass won the opening game of the night, but Janice Munns and N Bhudia came back straight away for Deane.

By the end of the mixed, the score was 5-5.

The top ladies' and men's matches were all shared but when Anna Anderson and Carol Wyatt took the second ladies' game 12 and 10, Deane were on nine games and hoping for a win.

Clive Bass and Neville Walmsley, however, fought back for Smithills, taking the first of the final men's to 11 and then the last game to 8 to force a draw.

The result leaves both sides well placed for promotion.

Another team well-placed to go up -- this time from E Section -- is DL Farnworth C. They beat Markland Hill E to stay tucked in behind Forrest E.

Maggie Young, Jon Horlock, Tim Barrow, Jon Young and Georgina Rydings ensured Farnworth claimed a 12-6 win.

With the opening set divided, it was up to Maggie and Jon to lead the way, taking their first two 3 and 6 and their second 7 and 2.

Markland Hill came back with two more games, but by the end of the mixed, Farnworth led 7-3.

Pam Yates and Kate Nightingale took the top ladies' match for the visitors 3 and 1, but then Tim Barrow and John Young put Farnworth into the points with both top men's 7 and 8.

When Maggie Young and Georgina Rydings took the final ladies' game of the night to 11, the match was decided.

Jon Horlock and John Young added two more men's for a 12-6 win.