GMT A go into the second half of the season comfortably on top of C Section -- and still unbeaten.

They have conceded only one point from a draw, and enjoyed a useful 12-6 away win as their most recent success, over mid-table Chowbent C.

Springfields B, D L Farnworth A and Metro B are locked in an interesting battle below them in the table.

But when the first two met, at Springfields' Kearsley LC base, it really was a match which could have gone either way.

Springfields' husband and wife duo Sarah and Neil Flanagan took the opening set 15-13, 15-3, followed by two more from Pam Taylor and Vinod Patel.

The next two sets were shared, however, and D McGlynn and Marc Kirkman pulled back both their final mixed for Farnworth to leave the score at 6-4 for the home team at the halfway stage.

Farnworth's strong ladies ensured both top ladies' games but in a close 15-11, 15-14 set. The level-pegging continued with top men's, but S McGlynn and D Hale for Farnworth moved the match in the visitors' favour with both second ladies, 15-1, 15-4.

With Farnworth now assured of at least a point, the match continued to be a cliffhanger when Springfields' men took the first of the final men's 15-5.

Marc Kirkman and Chris Barrow came back in the final game of the night, however, to win it 15-13 and give Farnworth two points and a more comfortable spot in the promotion zone.

D L Farnworth B are enjoying an equally good season in D Section, challenging Smithills A and Markland Hill D close to them for the No.1 position.

So, when they entertained Markland Hill at the David Lloyd Centre, the match was always going to be highly competitive. Farnworth took the opening games, courtesy of Georgina Ryding and Frank Hulton, but Heather Cowell and Peter Lonnen hit back with their first games for the visitors.

Liz Allcock and Tim Barrow kept third mixed on the Farnworth side of the scorecard, but Heather and Peter ensured it was back to all-square with their final mixed set.

When the last mixed games were divided, the match stood at 5-5. Heather with Linda Marney took top ladies for Markland Hill to push the visitors ahead and onto a point, but when the next four games were split, all rested on the final men's games of the night.

Chris Ball and Tim Barrow had to take both games to level the match. And they did -- the first 15-9, and the second 15-0 to share the points from an enjoyable and competitive night.

Farnworth D's current season has not been quite as successful so far as the club's other teams, but they are determined to get as high as possible in F Section.

Their home fixture against Springfields E, also currently in the bottom half of the Section, was always going to be close.

Marj McCormick and Liam Casey got Farnworth off the mark with their first set, before Jane Brennan and Richard Moon got Springfields scoring well with their two.

Third mixed went to the visitors, courtesy of Rebecca Lunn and Alan Moon, but Farnworth took the final mixed thanks to Irene Crompton and Allan Barnes to leave the score level before the men's and ladies' games.

Top ladies' were shared before Richard and Alan Moon took top men's 15-3, 15-3 to give Springfields a boost.

Irene Crompton and Amy Wardle pulled back the score for Farnworth with both second ladies, to leave the match in the balance with the final men's going on court.

Allan Barnes and Brian Boardman put up a brave fight for Farnworth, but they lost the first 11-15 to Sean Height and Alan Moon, who dug in to take the final game 15-6, and snatch a welcome10-8 win for Springfields.

Results

Section B: Markland Hill C 1, Hawkshaw B 17.

Section C: Hawkshaw C 3, Springfields C 15; Springfields B 8, Farnworth A 10; Forrest C 10, Sharples B 8; Chowbent C 6, GMT A 12.

Section D: Farnworth B 9, Markland Hill D 9; Park B 12, Smithills A 6; Deane A 9, Metro C 9; David Lloyd LC 15, Farnworth C 3; GMT B 15, Westhoughton C 3; Springfields D 4, Hawkshaw D 14.

Section E: Forrest D 9, Forrest E 9; Forrest E 0, Forrest D 18; Metro D 4, Deane B 14; Smithills B 11, Sharples D 7; Westhoughton D 10, Park C 8.

Section F: Farnworth D 8, Springfields E 10; Markland Hill E 11, Moorside B 7; Moorside C 10, Forrest F 8; Smithills D 12, Moorside D 6; Holy Cross 4, Smithills C 14.