PREMIER Division leaders Ramsbottom A scored maximum points off their C team, to maintain their push to retain the title.

Farnworth A in second place ran out 8-1 winners against Horwich Sports, with Dave Griffiths and Kim Lee scoring trebles. Steve Stringer's good form continues with a useful treble for Lostock, who won 6-3 at Wharton, and Nigel Hallows beat Top Ten leader Phill Biggs, but his team Ramsbottom B went down 5-4 at Horwich Hilton A.

In Division One Wingates A in third spot proved too strong for Horwich Hilton C, and ran out 8-1 winners. Barry Dobbins trebled for Heaton B, who beat Wharton B 7-2, and Eddie Simon trebled for Ladybridge A, who went down 5-4 at Heaton A. All six players got on the score sheet at Horwich Hilton B, where the visitors Chorley Old Road ran out 5-4 winners.

Division Two leaders Wingates won a close match against Heaton C 5-4, with three players winning two sets in the match. All three Black Dog players won two sets in their 6-3 win over Heaton D, Steve Barber winning the three for Heaton, Ian Lansdale trebled for Little Lever C, who scored a comfortable 7-2 win against Ladybridge C. The other two matches finished with a 5-4 scoreline, Phil Noden's treble the decisive factor in Meadow Hill's second win of the season against BEN A, and four players won two sets in the match which Nomads B won at Ladybridge B.

Hall's maximum points win against Hilton D takes them to the top of Division Three, as the team they replaced, Heaton E, could only manage a 5-4 win over Little Lever E, Mark Martin winning his three sets for the Cricketers, which included the scalp of Top Ten leader Alan Crompton. Halliwell Meths in third spot also scored a maximum points win on their visit to Ladybridge D, and Alan Price scored a useful treble for Little Lever D in their 6-3 win at Hilton C.

Jubilee A are the new leaders in Division Four thanks to a 7-2 win at Hilton G, three wins for George Dawson and two each for Roger Bertrand and Bhikhu Patel. BEN B scored a 5-4 win over YMCA, who drop to third place, three players winning two sets each in the match. The Ramsbottom D trio of Brian Ingham, Russell Thornton and Jim Freely scored maximum points against Heaton F, and jump into second spot. Derek Unsworth trebled on his first appearance of the season, along with team-mate Peter Ellis for Memorial Road, who ran out 7-2 winners at Hilton F.

Would teams please note Meadow Hill B are back in action, and any outstanding matches should be arranged as soon as possible.

Ellesmere A, who beat their B team 9-0 are the new leaders of Division Five. Hilton J remain third despite their 5-4 defeat by Jubilee B, David Miller scoring a treble for Jubilee. Jackie Smith and Peter Holden both trebled for Meadow Hill C, who beat Ellesmere C 6-3.

Have you returned your entry for the Divisional Championships at the Hilton Centre on Sunday, December 9, if not, please send to the organiser Paul Roberts asap, entry form in the handbook.

It was sad to hear of the sudden death of Brian Doxey from the Wharton club. Brian will be remembered with affection by his many friends in the table tennis world. He was always cheerful and friendly, and competitive in the best sporting manner, a supporter of local table tennis for many years, Brian will be missed by all.