IN the past two weeks, teams have taken a break from league fixtures to concentrate on cup competitions.

The first to be played was the opening round of the B. J. Sports Trophy when last year's winners, Bury Snooker C, maintained their challenge to retain the trophy with a convincing 3-0 win against Tottington B.

Ged Ridgley, K. Bogden and M. Burns all had convincing wins.

The result of the night must go to Walshaw B who entertained Elton Lib D.

In the absence of their captain (Mr Secretary), Walshaw went 2-0 behind.

Elton Lib wanted an easy black ball to win the match 3-0 but this was not to be as D. Bury made sure of winning the third frame for Walshaw by potting the black ball.

D. Long brought the game back to 2-2 and stand-in captain, S. Brooks, did a fine job for his team to win it for Walshaw by 3-2.

The form book didn't quite go to plan in some matches, none more so than at Elton Fold where Fishpool were the visitors.

Fishpool took the first frame with P. Taylor winning against C. Holmes. Elton Fold fought back with frame wins for S. Fitzsimons and L. Cockcroft then Fishpool hit back with wins for J. Turk and G. Openshaw, to win the match 3-2.

Another team to upset the form book was Bury Bridge.

In their match against Salisbury B, the visitors got off to a good start with G. Spanner winning his frame against W. Usher.

Bury Bridge hit back with wins from G. Spencer and J. Hampson winning off a black ball game.

But Salisbury were not going to give up the fight and won the next frame with D. Angulin seeing off T. Nolan 44-28.

This brought the match level at 2-2, and it was left to H. Holmes, winning 57-16 against M. Burkejar, to seal with win for Bury Bridge by 3-2. Bury Snooker D had a home match against a strong Huntley A side and got off to a convincing start with M. Turner winning the first frame against C. Jones.

R. Bell continued his impressive form this season by beating K. Newbury in the next frame.

The next went the way of the visitors with P. Jones, and a break of 30, winning against P. Allen.

The fourth frame was to be the match winner for Bury Snooker with S. Amin beating R. Claxton, so sealing a win for the home side by 3-1.

Huntley C travelled to Tottington only to suffer a 3-1 loss against the Con Club's A side.

There were wins for J. Mawdsley, with a break of 32, P. Hughes and C. Graham. Could this be the shock of the round so far?

Tottington C were also at home on the same night and made it a double home celebration by defeating Radcliffe Central B 3-2.

D. Holt and C. Pursglove got the home side off to a flying 2-0 lead.

Radcliffe Central fought back with wins from B. Smith and R. Nickelson but sadly this was not enough and A. Pilsworth clinched the match for the home side with a 39-32 win.

Tottington D also had a good night when they travelled to Walshaw and came away with a convincing 3-0 win against the A side.

There were wins for J. Allen, A. Rhodes and P. Heaton.

Heywood Reform played host for the visit of Stanley A.

A. Birchall took the first frame for Stanley A, but Heywood hit back with wins for D. Bleakley, T. Preston and P. Morley, thus sealing a convincing 3-1success.

Huntley D travelled to Salisbury A in a closely fought match which could have gone either way.

D. Fairburn got the home side off to a good start by winning the opening frame but it was soon 2-2.

J.P. Slymon went on to win the last frame of the match, giving Salisbury the victory 3-2.

Stanley B played Radcliffe St Mary's A and were well rewarded the a 3-1 win thanks to convincing frame wins from D. Holt, D. Lomas and D. Bennett.

Elton Lib A entertained Seedfield BC. Elton got off to a good start by winning the opening frame.

Seedfield won the next two, thanks to T. Morgan and S. Chant but Elton hit back and won the final two frames with wins from R. Mills and C. Hartley, giving them the victory by 3-2.

The scoreline was the same in favour of Buchanan's in their win against Radcliffe St Mary's B.

J. Taylor put the home side in front but then St Mary's took the next two frames, with wins from M. Frankland and R. Birtwistle.

G. French levelled the match at 2-2 for Buchanan's and P. Lomax sealed the win for Buchanan's.

Another closely fought contest was between Radcliffe Central A and Huntley A.

The visitors got off to a fine start with K. Martin winning the first frame.

The next three went each way, leaving the match nicely placed at 2-2. The final frame was won for Huntley by J. Gill, making Huntley A the outright winners, 3-2.

Newcomers to this season's league, Whitefield BC, visited Elton Lib C and came away with a 3-2 loss.

Whitefield Snooker entertained Elton Lib B and again lost narrowly by 3-2.

l Entry forms for the Neville Spivey Individual scratch competition must be returned to Peter Gray at the next league meeting on December 1. Late entries will not be accepted unless previously notified.

The Arthur Dykes Round One has to be played by Thursday, December 8. Cards to be sent to Peter Gray please.