AFTER a couple of seasons in the doldrums Swinton Badminton Club look set for top-flght play next season.

They currently head B Section, vying with Hawkshaw B on the closest of margins.

All is not plain sailing, however, Swinton could only manage an away draw against Sharples A, who just below mid-table. Markland Hill C have also had a late surge of wins to put them in contention, and DL Farnworth A have looked strong from the outset.

As already reported, Markland Hill A are definitely league champions, with ABC now likely runners-up after Markland Hill B's draw with Forrest A.

Westhoughton A can not be caught in C Section after emerging as early front runners. Hawkshaw C and Springfields B look likeliest for promotion with them.

Competition is still strong throughout the League as the final fixtures are played.

In F Section, for example, where Markland Hill E are undisputed champions, Forrest F and Smithills D -- both below mid-table -- had a firecracker match at Smithills' Canon Slade School base.

The opening set was shared before the visitors' Jackie Carter and Chris Travis took both games -- only for Smithills' strong third couple Diane Leigh and Bill Goody to come back with both theirs.

The scores were level at the change, with top ladies then shared.

But, the tide started to turn in Smithills' favour when Bill Goody and Tony Ambrose took top men's eight and three, and then Diane Leigh and Lorraine Shepherd took second ladies in similar style to clinch the points.

Fittingly, second men's were split for an 11-7 result from an entertaining night.

A SECTION: Chowbent A 5, ABC 13; ABC 15, Forrest B 3; Hawkshaw A 19, Bury A 0; Forrest B 11, Metro A 7; Christ Church 7, Markland Hill A 11; Markland Hill B 9, Forrest A 9.

B SECTION: GMT A 13, Park A 5; Swinton 16, Bury B 2; Sharples A 9, Swinton 9; Bury B 7, Hawkshaw B 11; Springfields A 14, Chowbent B 4; Racquets 7, Markland Hill C 11; Farnworth A 11, Springfields A 7.

C SECTION: Sharples B 3, Springfields C 15; DL Farnworth B 8, Metro B 10; Westhoughton C 11, Sharples C 7; Hawkshaw C 7, Westhoughton B 11.

D SECTION: Metro D 16, Hawkshaw D 2; Forrest C 13, GMT B 5; David Lloyd 10, Springfields D 8; Forrest D 16, Westhoughton D 2; Sharples C 5, Smithills A 13; Metro C 4, Forrest C 14; Westhoughton C 15, Hawkshaw D 3.

E SECTION: Metro D 8, Farnworth C 10; Sharples D 10, Deane B 8; Moorside A 10, Deane C 8; Forrest E 10, Metro D 8; Smithills B 9, Sharples D 9.

F SECTION: Holy Cross 6, Smithills C 12; Moorside C 1, Park C 17; Smithills D 11, Forrest F 7; Farnworth D 0, Markland Hill E 18.