HOLDERS Markland Hill 'A' made a confident start in their defence of the Mixed Cecil Cup with a 72-6 victory over Fifth Division Bolton School 'A'.

Next Generation 'B' had a close match with Lostock 'C' that went down to the last nail-biting set. Next Generation dug in to level the match late on winning by 53-51.

Newcomers to the competition, David Lloyd Bolton were at home to fifth division Elton Vale 'A' and received a handicap advantage of 30 games. With an excellent team this year, David Lloyd had a comfortable victory and go through to the next round by 94 - 29.

The remaining 16 teams are due to play the third round on Sunday 30th June, however, the start time may have to be adjusted due to the world cup final television scheduling.

The Mixed Tennis League continued play with week seven on Tuesday 18th June which marks the halfway stage of the season.

Division 1 leaders, Holcombe Brook 'A' continue to head the table with yet another dominant win, this time against Longsight Methodist 'A'. Longsight managed just 22 games as Holcombe finished the evening's work without dropping a set and winning 72 -22.

Second placed Hawkshaw 'A' maintained position with a good win over Leigh 'A '. Markland Hill 'A' stay in third place following a win over Vulcan and in the process, picked up two points and a hefty amount of games to add to their credit from the 72 - 20 scoreline.

Walmer 'A' stay at the top of Division 2 with a win against Holcombe Brook 'B' which now gives them 12 points on the table. Lostock 'A' and Hawkshaw 'B ' remain in joint second place with ten points, Hawkshaw having the advantage on games difference.

In Division 3, Next Generation (Chorley) 'A' continued in their dominant style in their quest for promotion, this time with an excellent win over middle of the table Longsight Methodist 'B', Next Generation enjoyed a comfortable 70 - 35 win.

Little change on the tables at this half way stage for Divisions 4, 5 and 6 with Lostock 'C', Next Generation 'B' and David Lloyd Bolton all heading the tables respectively.

END (438 words)

===============================

RESULTS

Mixed League

Division 1: Longsight Meths 'A' 22, Holcombe Brook SC 'A' 72; Leigh CC 'A' 40, Hawkshaw 'A' 62; Markland Hill 'C' 22, Markland Hill 'B' 72; Markland Hill 'A' 72, Vulcan 20.

Division 2: Holcombe Brook SC 'B' 42, Walmer 'A' 68; Lostock 'A' 59, Bolton CC 47; Hawkshaw 'B' 68, David Lloyd Mcr 'A' 37; Eagley 'A' 31, Bradshaw 'A' 68.

Division 3: Next Generation (Chorley) 'A' 70, Longsight Meths 'B' 35; Barrow Bridge 'A' 56, Walkers 44; David Lloyd Mcr 'B' 39, Lostock 'B' 67.

Division 4: Markland Hill 'E' 71, Holcombe Brook 'C' 32; Lostock 'C' 59, Hawkshaw 'C' 46; CC Walmersley 64, Lostock 'D' 25.

Division 5: Walmer 'B' 72, Markland Hill 'F' 32; Bolton School 'B' 34, Next Generation (Chorley) 'B' 70; Meadow Hill 60, Elton Vale 'A' 52; Lostock 'E' 35, Bolton School 'A' 70.

Division 6: Holcombe Brook 'D' 68, Walmer 'C' 37; Elton Vale 'B' 19, Barrow Bridge 'B' 67; David Lloyd (Bolton) 66, Leigh 'B' 29.

Cecil Cup

Second Round: David Lloyd (Manchester) 'B' 60, Hawkshaw 'D' 79; Bolton School 'A' 59, Markland Hill 'A' 72; Bradshaw 'A' 70, Hawkshaw 'C' 64; Next Generation 'A' 67, Lostock 'B' 47; Markland Hill 'B' 72, Markland Hill 'E' 57; Lostock 'C' 53, Next Generation 'B' 55; David Lloyd Bolton 94, Elton Vale 'A' 29.

Men's League

Division 1: South College 'A' 7, Ellesmere 'A' 2; Holcombe Brook S.C.'A' 9, Tyldesley 'A' 0; Hawkshaw 'A' 5.5, Lostock 'A' 3.5; Markland Hill 'A' 5, David Lloyd (Manchester) 'A' 4; Tyldesley 'A' 3.5, Markland Hill 'A' 5.5.

Division 2: Longsight Meths 'A' 4.5, Walmer 'A' 4.5; Bradshaw 'A' 2, South College 'B' 7; Leigh C.C.'B' 4, C. C. Walmersley 5.

Division 3: Lostock 'B' 1.5, Hawkshaw 'B' 7.5; Barrow Bridge 'A' 2, Next Generation (Chorley) 7; Walkers 'A' 3.5, Markland Hill 'B' 5.5; Lowton 'A' 4.5, Holcombe Brook S.C.'B' 4.5.

Division 4: Markland Hill 'C' 4, Bolton C.C. 5; Elton Vale S.C. 'A' 8, Barrow Bridge 'B' 1; Ellesmere 'B' 5, Longsight Meths 'B' 4; David Lloyd (Manchester) 'B' 6, Markland Hill 'D' 3.

Division 5: Walmer 'B' 1, Winton 8; Meadow Hill 3.5, Bradshaw 'B' 5.5; Holcombe Brook S.C.'C' 0, Leigh C.C.'C' 9; Tyldesley 'B' 9, Eagley 'A' 0.

Division 6: Guildhall 6.5, Walkers 'B' 2.5; Lostock 'D' 4, Chorley 5; South College 'C' 7, Harwood C.C. 2.

Division 7: Astley & Tyldesley 3, Lostock 'C' 6; Hawkshaw 'C' 7, Elton Vale S.C. 'B' 2; Leigh C.C.'D' 2.5, David Lloyd (Bolton) 6.5; Eagley 'B' 1.5, Lowton 'B' 7.5; Markland Hill 'E' 2, Walmer 'C' 7; David Lloyd (Bolton) 5.5, Hawkshaw 'C' 3.5.

Division 8: Barrow Bridge 'C' 1.5, Hawkshaw 'D' 7.5; Barrow Bridge 'C' 9, Holcombe Brook S.C.'E' 0; Bradshaw 'C' 3.5, Barrow Bridge 'C' 5.5; Bradshaw 'C' 3, Holcombe Brook S.C.'D' 6; Walmer 'D' 2.5, Ellesmere 'C' 6.5.

Junior League

Division 2: Markland Hill 'B' 12, Eagley 0. Division 4: David Lloyd (Manchester) 'B' 3, St Josephs' 'B' 9; David Lloyd (Manchester) 'B' 5, Leigh C.C.'C' 7.

Cecil Cup third round ( fixtures and handicaps for Sunday 30th June, 4pm): Markland Hill 'A' v Hawkshaw 'D' (63); David Lloyd (Bolton) (59) v Leigh CC 'A' or David Lloyd (Bolton) (24) v Holcombe Brook 'D'; Next Generation (Chorley) 'A' v Next Generation 'B' (38); Bradshaw 'A'(30) v Markland Hill 'B'.