SNOOKER & BILLIARDS: UNITED Services Club B slightly extended their narrow advantage over Prescot Re-form with a 5-4 victory in the battle of Widnes Snooker League Division Three's runaway leaders.
Paul Taylor's explosive 100-20 frame win gave the Widnesians an edge.
The rest of the teams were playing catch-up and Widnes Conservative Club B made the biggest inroads with an 8-1 demolition of Mill Brow in which Tommy Galloway (72-14) and Mark Worrall (88-32) did the damage.
Simms Cross B eased past high-flying Farn-worth E thanks to big victories from John Price (84-47) and J Hallsworth (72-21).
Birchfield re-ignited their season with 6-3 success at Widnes Conservative Club C, Geoff Illidge's 63-31 being the main contribution.
Eccleston Lane Ends B moved further away from the bottom of the table with a 6-3 victory against team-of-the-future Stadium C.
Captain Alf Evans impressed most for the Enders with a 65-13 win.
There were hard-fought 5-4 triumphs for Farnworth D, RAOB B and Oddies for whom Spen Sutton (68-31) and Michelle Hodson (63-27) once again impressed. Farnworth C rocketed into Division Two contention with a formidable 8-1 victory at Ford B. Dave Boswell took charge with a 69-35 win.
Stadium A maintained their challenge as 7-2 winners at Hough Green SC A where Anthony Leather (52-23) and Tex Corby (78-41) were the standout visitors.
Eccleston A claimed a comprehensive 7-2 verdict at Widnes Bowling Club, courtesy of Ste Barlow (62-40) and Billy Housley (81-50).
Last season's nearly men Farnworth B toughed it out for a 6-3 win over a talented Village B side with Paul Coughlin (61-23) and Hughie Farrell (68-38) anchoring the team home. Elsewhere, there were 5-4 wins for St Joseph's B and runaway leaders Corporation.
The Division One powerhouse that is Village A steamrollered their Farnworth counterparts 9-0 with no mercy being shown, particularly by Richie Whittle (85-19) and Mark Dutton (97-1).
1). St Joseph's A gained a much-needed whitewash over struggling St Basil's B - Brian Timmis (88-35) and Nathan Roberts (81-27) keeping the teams far apart.
St Bede's climbed to the top of the ladder with a convincing 7-2 victory over Ford A as John Hartshorn (88-34) and Bryan Kennedy (77-22, including a 31 break) made all the difference.
St Basil's A join the Bede's at the summit, however, after a close 6-3 victory over Moor-field A - 71-24 winner Alan Dunn holding sway.
Widnes Conservative Club A cruised to 6-3 success over defending champions Overton Memorial Hall despite an awesome effort from Ste Spencer (108-20).
Simms Cross A stormed back into the hunt in the Widnes & District Billiards League with a 6-1 mauling of hosts Moorfield. Frank Fitzharris (100-36) and town billiards legend Arthur Lethbridge (100-49) sealed the home side's fate.
Widnes Cricket Club piled on the misery for United Services Club B with another 6-1 thrashing - Leon Hosking (100-19) and Phil Gerrard (100-35) the big scorers.
Farnworth B edged out dark horses Ford 4-3, mainly due to impressive wins from John Pinder (100-58) and Rob Morris (100-65).
Widnes Conservative Club A won by the same scoreline with destructive wins from Peter Kenny (100-59) and Tony Grant (100-60) over United Services Club A.
Widnes Rec slipped to a 4-3 loss at Farnworth A and their lead is now just six points. Terry Burke (100-44) and Chris Smart (100-59) provided the decisive victories.
League officials ask team representatives to keep the telephone results coming while remembering to submit scoresheets fully completed.
