ONLY a limited number of matches were played in the first round of the divisional cups with the majority of teams receiving a bye into round two.

Ramsbottom A holders of the Brian Gittins Cup won a close match at Nomads A 7-2, Nomads receiving six points start fought all the way, and the games were much closer than the scoreline suggests, Wayne Renton was the star performer on the night, winning his three sets for the Rammy team.

Little Lever A recorded a good win on their visit to first division Heaton A 7-2, with Ron Durose and Phil Riley scoring trebles. Horwich Sports are the third Premier side into round two with a 6-0 win over Chorley Old Road. Two first division teams -- Wingates A and Heaton B -- were given walkovers into round two.

In the George Yates Trophy for second and Third Division teams, the holders Heaton D receiving five points start comfortably beat fellow second division team Ladybridge C 9-0, trebles for Steve Barber, Chris Higson and Steve Woods. Three wins for Mike Smith and Brian Greenhalgh plus two by Derek Swift gave Ladybridge D, also on five points start, a comfortable 8-1 win at Halliwell Meths.

Hilton D took revenge on Heaton E with a comprehensive 7-2 win which was a reversal of their Warburton Cup result, three wins here for Dave Marland. Newcomers Halls proved too strong for last season's runners-up Little Lever D despite giving a four-points' start, winning 5-1, two wins each for James Fletcher and Geoff Hall plus one by Rob Hall. Ladybridge E represented by Paul Pover, Brian Roberts and Dennis Hough utilised the five points' start with a comprehensive 9-0 win at Hilton C. In the all second division match, BEN A beat a two-man Meadow Hill A team 6-3.

In the Ron Hindle Memorial Trophy for division four and five teams, Ladybridge G from division five recorded the best win of the first round. They made good use of their five points' start to score a comprehensive 8-1 win over Heaton G from division four which included trebles by Colin Gregory and Andy Scully plus two wins by Robin Llewellyn. Giving Hilton G a five points' start, Jubilee A recorded a comfortable 7-2 win with trebles by Roger Bolton and George Dawson plus one by Roger Bertrand. Jubilee B enjoyed a 7-2 win against a depleted Ellesmere C team and in the closest match of the round Hilton J beat Ellesmere B 6-3 despite giving a five points' start, three wins for Neil Dunn, two for Malcolm Wilcock and one for Stephen Ross.

Entries are now being accepted for the Individual Divisional Championships to be played at the Hilton Centre on Sunday, December 9. Entry fee £3 senior players, £1.50 juniors. Entry forms on page 37 in the handbook. Please get your entries in early.

Results

Brian Gittins Cup -- Nomads A 2 Ramsbottom A 7; Horwich Sports 6 Chorley Old Road 0; Heaton A 2 Little Lever A 7.

George Yates Trophy -- Little lever D 1 Halls 5; Heaton E 2 Hilton D 7; Meadow Hill A 3 BEN A 6; Hilton C 0 Ladybridge E 9; Heaton D 9 Ladybridge C 0; Halliwell Meths 1 Ladybridge D 8.

Ron Hindle Memorial Trophy -- Heaton G 1 Ladybridge G 8; Hilton G 2 Jubilee A 7; Hilton J 6 Ellesmere B 3; Jubilee B 7 Ellesmere C 2.

Second Round Draw

Brian Gittins Cup -- Wharton B v Hilton A; Wharton A v Mosses, Little Lever A v Horwich Sports, Cricketers v Little Lever B, Ladybridge A v Heaton B; Ramsbottom A v Horwich Hilton C; Wingates A v Ramsbottom B, Horwich Hilton B v Farnworth A.

George Yates Trophy -- Nomads B v Little Lever E; Farnworth C v Heaton C; Heaton D v Ladybridge E; Ladybridge D v Little Lever C; Ladybridge B v BEN A; Hilton D v Black Dog; Halls v Hilton B; Hilton E v Wingates B.

Ron Hindle Memorial trophy -- YMCA v Ladybridge H; Hilton I v Ladybridge F; Jubilee B v Hilton J; Heaton F v Hilton H; BEN B v Jubilee A; Ladybridge G v Ramsbottom D; Hilton K/Meadow Hill C v Memorial Road; Ellesmere A v Hilton F.