HAWKSHAW has long been a League stalwart with consistent results but a lack of headline grabbing.

Their C team could change all that as they are the only side with a realistic chance of promotion this season.

The team is third placed in C Section, unlikely to catch runaway leaders Westhoughton A, but with a fighting chance of second slot in a tussle with Springfields B.

They displayed their determination in a competitive clash against Sharples B. Pam Holden and Dave Vickers took the opening game for Hawkshaw 15-3, but Sylvia Cartwright and Peter Hartley came back for Sharples to take the second 15-7.

Barbara Dootson and Frank Carr showed their class and experience with both second mixed games and took their second set in similar style.

By the end of the mixed, Hawkshaw were in a comfortable 8-2 lead, but Sharples responded and shared top ladies and then took both men's.

However, Hawkshaw's ladies saved the day. Carol Lanham and Barbara Dootson took both second ladies to put the match beyond Sharples. The final two games of the night went to Sharples via Colin Kerfoot and Steve Duckworth but it was Hawkshaw who took the valuable points from a 11-7 win.

David Lloyd and Smithills A also both need the points at the foot of D Section, so their clash at the health club was important.

The home side struck first when Lorna McIvor and Dave Whitehouse took the opening game 11. Smithills, however, came back to take the next game, and the following three, courtesy of Lyn Butcher and Ken Blood.

Kulbinder Wisher and Hank Mok took back both third games for the home team but at the end of the mixed, the visitors were 7-3 ahead.

They continued this form when Lyn Butcher and Linda Hawker took both top ladies, but Dave Whitehouse and Hank Mok came back for David Lloyd to keep the home side in the hunt.

But when Kay Lewtas and Kulbinder Wisher took the two second ladies' games for Smithills, the match points went to the visitors.

David Lloyd won the final two men's games back, but the final score was still 11-7 for Smithills.

RESULTS

A SECTION: Forrest B 0, ABC 18; Christ Church 12, Forrest A 6; Markland Hill B 17, Metro A 1.

B SECTION: Springfield A 9, Farnworth A 9; GMT A 8, Swinton 10; Chowbent B 10, Springfield A 8; Sharples A 6, Hawkshaw B 12; Racquets 1, Park A 17.

C SECTION: Westhoughton A 18, Chowbent D 0; Markland Hill D 5, Metro B 13; Hawkshaw C 11, Sharples B 7; Farnworth B 6, Springfield B 12; Chowbent C 8, Westhoughton B 10.

D SECTION: Metro C 11, Deane A 7; Park B 3, Forrest C 15; Westhoughton C 7, GMT B 11; David Lloyd 7, Smithills A 11; Sharples C 6, Hawkshaw D 12.

E SECTION: Smithills B 17, Moorside B 1; Forrest E 13, Deane C 5; Deane B 16, Farnworth C 2; Moorside A 8, Westhoughton D 10; Forrest D 13, Sharples D 5.

F SECTION: Farnworth D 2, Park C 16; Smithills D 17, Moorside D 1; Moorside C 0, Smithills C 18; Holy Cross 17, Forrest F 1; Metro E 0, Markland Hill E 18.