ATHERTON Badminton Club members have rallied from a difficult and unhappy start to the current season to top the Bolton League.

They were rocked early on by the sudden death of popular and talented player Mark Brunnen.

But, ABC -- no doubt with Mark firmly in mind -- have played in determined fashion to emerge at No.1 currently.

They are ahead of early leaders Christ Church on games, and the situation should be interesting later this month when the two clash at their joint home at Walkden Congregational Church.

Equally close are Bury A, just a game behind Christ Church, and with Markland Hill A and Markland Hill B both only two points behind that.

Metro A emphasised their leadership of B Section -- and determination to return to top-flight badminton -- with a 13-5 win over rivals Markland Hill C last week.

Forrest B are currently closest to Metro, although they are three points away from the top spot.

GMT A continue their domination of C Section, with a slender but crucial two point lead over Hawkshaw C. And Springfields B look the strongest of the following group, with a 17-1 win over Chowbent D a recent emphasising of their current form.

Smithills A are in command in D Section, with Farnworth B and Markland Hill D looking threatening.

And in E Section. Smithills B continue the good work for the club, but with Hawkshaw D in hot pursuit just one point away and with a match in hand.

Moorside A lie in third place, but the closeness of the whole section was underlined by their clash with Sharples D.

The latter currely lie fourth from the bottom, but with a couple of matches in hand. They obviously have the capability to do well, as they showed when they entertained Moorside A at the leisure centre.

Moorside's Karen Cottam and Nigel Muddiman set the early pace with 15-6, 15-2 wins before their top couple Carole Cooper and Simon Ball took thier first set 15-4, 15-1.

Sharples fought back, however, with both third mixed from Sheila Byrne and Ross Manning and, with the next two sets shared, the score after the mixed was 6-4 for Moorside.

A close top ladies resulted in one more apiece, but Sharples' David Fairclough and Ross Manning put the team back in contention with both top men's, 15-4, 15-14.

Second ladies were shared and the points then rested on the final two games of the night. Paul Jolley and Ross Manning combined well to take the first 15-14 to ensure Sharples a point.

But Nigel Muddiman and Alan Parkinson dug in to take the last game 15-8 to put Moorside on level pegging and give them an important point as well.

Results: A Section: Chowbent B 1, Markland Hill A 17; Forrest A 0, Christ Church 18; ABC 16, BIHE 2; Bury B 6, Hawkshaw A 12; Markland Hill B 12, Chowbent A 6.

B Section: Springfields A 9, Park A 9; Hawkshaw B 11, Sharples A 7; Metro A 14, BSC 4; Swinton 6, Forrest B 12; Westhoughton A 6, Racquets 12.

C Section: Sharples B 8, Hawkshaw C 10; Farnworth A 16, Westhoughton B 2; Chowbent D 1, Springfields B 17; Springfields C 13, Chowbent C 5; Forrest C 3, Metro B 15; Westhoughton B 14, Sharples B 4.

D Section: Park B 10,David Lloyd LC 8; Westhoughton B 6, Farnworth B 12; Deane A 12, David Lloyd LC 6; GMT A 18, Deane A 0; Metro C 2, Smithills A 16; Farnworth C 11, Sharples C 7.

E Section: Hawkshaw D 13, Westhoughton D 5; Deane B 18, Forrest E 0; Sharples D 9, Moorside A 9; Forrest D 9, Springfields D 9; Westhoughton D 18, Sharples D 0; Park C 6, Deane B 12; Smithills B 10, Metro D 8.

F Section: Holy Cross 12, Markland Hill E 6; Moorside B 14, Moorside C 4; Smithills D 3, Deane C 15; Moorside D 7, Farnworth D 11; Metro E 6, Smithills C 12; Springfields E 5, Forrest F 13.