LAST week's top of Division Three clash between Bolton School A and Egerton, won fairly comprehensively by the former, produced some fine individual contributions but for sheer entertainment, the ladies set had it writes Colin Sharples

For Bolton School, Jo Ball was making her debut and well she played. More athletic than her husband perhaps, she covered the back court with scampering pace, showed a sound grasp of the attacking qualities of the lob and dispatched volleys with cruel, cold-blooded efficiency.

Her piece de resistance involved two baseline dashes in pursuit of Carol Laverick specials, a crash into the court surrounds and then the floor (the racket going its own way), a cry of "Play on", recover the racket, hurtle along the baseline to return the next shot, see partner Janet O'Connor dump the ensuing easy volley in the net and pronounce "Bad luck, Janet".

That was in fact Mrs 0'Connor's only mistake. She is one of the better lady players, a crisp and compact hitter, balanced mover, well-controlled volleys and a finely-angled serve when most needed.

Bolton look a good outfit. With skipper Duncan Kyle's buccaneering, bludgeoning, buckets of gore groundstrokes and Mark Williams' stealthy, never a trace of blood activities the men are strong, while Mrs Ball adds yet another string to their bow.

As half-expected, Walmersley A surrendered their unbeaten record to Markland Hill but not for the expected reason of the latter's strong ladies. The damage was done in the mixed with Eric Robert and Diane O'Brien playing well.

RESULTS - Division One: Holcombe Brook A 26 Allsorts 19; Markland Hill A 23 Walmersley A 21; Walkers A 28 Longsight 24; Bolton CC 33 Monton 22.

Division Two: David Lloyd A 27 MGB 26; Bradshaw 26 Barrow Bridge A 26; Astley 36 Chorley 0.

Division Three: Guild Hall A 32 Barrow Bridge B 20; Holcombe Brook B 39 Holcombe Brook C 17; David Lloyd B 28 Guild Hall B 15; Bolton School A 36 Egerton 10.