HOWCROFT and Mavericks, unbeaten in Division 1, met at Harper Green in a vital title battle.

Howcroft marked closely in the first half making it difficult for Mavericks to receive the ball and excellent shooting by Julie Ball gave them a 12-8 half time lead.

Mavericks moved up a gear in the second half as Margaret Smith defended well and intercepted several balls which were converted into goals by Carol Daniels, however, the half time deficit proved too great and Howcroft claimed the points by one goal.

Barnstormers and Chequers lead Division 2 with Acdoco Angels in third place. Sunset 7 had a convincing victory against Acdoco Angels, leading by 2 goals at half time they ended the match with a 6 goal difference. Players of the Match were S. Ascroft and Adele Carrol.

Nicola Hughes defended well to give Burns Animal Foods a six goal lead at half time against St. Bonifaces. Tracy Prady - Goal Attack for St. Bonifaces scored 13 goals in the second half to take the final score to 22goals all.

Sharples are six points clear of their nearest rivals John Smiths, who have two games in hand, in Division 3.

Design a Loft, currently holding bottom place, made John Smiths earn their points. Kath Craven - Centre for Design a Loft had a terrific court game. John Smiths led by four goals at half time; both teams scored 7 goals in the second half making the final score 17goals to 13 to John Smiths. Diane Speak was voted Player of the Match.

Russell & Russell had a closely fought match against 3rd position Daisy Hill Ladies. Trailing by only one goal at half time, Daisy Hill Ladies moved up a gear in the second half to take the match by 4 goals.

Smithills head the Division 4 table having played three matches more than their nearest rivals Spread Eagle and Gilnow Arms. Bupa had to give a 5 goal start to Spread Eagle due to the late start. With only six players, they trailed by 6 goals at half time. One team member received an injury and the team was reduced to only five players. Spread Eagle used the advantage and took the five points. Final score 17 - 07 to Spread Eagle. Nic Bates was voted Player of the Match.

Smithills were beating Gilnow Arms by 7 goals at half time due to excellent defensive play by K. Blackwell. The Goal Shooter for Gilnow Arms came to form in the second half scoring 14 goals but unfortunately could not make up the difference. Smithills won 21 goals to 20.

Two teams in Division 5 are tying on 38 points, S.J.S.C. and Royal Bank. Both these teams have yet to lose.

S.J.S.C. were tying at halftime against Pacific Peugeot with a low scoring 6 goals all. S.J.S.C. raised their game in the second half to score a further 12 goals to win the match. Both Centres were voted Player of the Match, Kirsty Harrison and Kirsty Atherton.

Bolton Metro could only field four players against Wingates and had to forfeit the game.

Will captains please advise their players that teams should play to the whistle and refrain from comments to the umpire until half time or after the match.