STE Millington added more fuel to the fire of Division One title hopefuls Village A in the Widnes & District Snooker League.

A hard-fought 8-1 win moved them into second spot. Millington, with a 49 break, and Richard Whittle (103-35) again proved the class acts of this star-studded team.

Their challenge may well be in vain, however, as Widnes Conservative Club A are 18 points clear.

This week's 7-2 victory came thanks to John Mercer (97-19, including a 49 break) and Andrew Housley (122-10, featuring a 53 break.

Defending champions Ford A were humbled 7-2 at St Basil's B whose heroes were Chris Hazlehurst (63-29) and Terry Welsh (59-13).

RAOB A returned to winning ways 6-3 with Shaun Cosgrove (87-48) back to his best and Frank Pennington (80-34) typically influential.

St Joseph's A remain in contention after winning 7-2, anchormen Gary Stanniford and Nathan Roberts proving the difference.

WCC A accounted for St Basil's A 6-3 with Rob Taylor triumphing 73-33 and starlet Jack Webb 67-20 - both taking big scalps.

St Bede's stopped the rot with a 6-3 victory in which Peter Lawrenson (65-47) and Tommy Myler (66-45) found hard-fought success.

Paul Tudor made a 35 break for Services. Stadium A scraped a 5-4 victory with good wins for Paul Rigby (58-29) and Paul Goulden (95-33).

HGSC B rocketed into Division Two contention thanks to a 9-0 whitewash of Corporation.

Corpy couldn't repeat their earlier cup heroics and even Andy Freeman's 36 break was of no real use.

A complete team performance from Hough Green was capped by Ste O'Connor's 80-25.

Village B continue their arduous climb with a fine 8-1 win, Jason Bright's 66-38 stealing the show.

WCC C upset title contenders Moorfield B 7-2 with breaks of 28 from Phil Spencer and a season's best for the division of 44 by Leon Hosking.

Widnes Rec were also 7-2 winners, thanks to stalwarts Tony Yasities (88-25) and Paul Antrobus (76-39).

Ford B maintain their stranglehold at the top with another 7-2 victory with youngsters Tony Riccio (53-49) and Graham McCann (59-37) having got them off to an ideal start.

Farnworth C were also 7-2 winners, Dave Boswell (54-37) and Wez Turton (62-40) surprising a powerful USC team.

HGSC A maintained their challenge thanks to John Gregory's starring 85-18 display in a 6-3 win.

RAOB B also won 6-3 win, Andy Langley (65-20) doing the damage late on.

Division Three's Widnes Conservative B continue to dominate courtesy of a 7-2 away win with John Carter (87-47) and John Tighe (73-27) playing superbly.

Village C maintained their challenge with a 6-3 win, Ste Brennan 84-36 being ably assisted by Martin Sheehy (28 break).

Widnes Conservative C hit another high in their inconsistent campaign by winning 7-2 at home. They were largely indebted to Ian Bush (81-31) and Mick Foran (80-10).

Farnworth E's 6-3 win maintained their challenge and they were grateful for Paul Williams' 91-32.

WCC B, also 6-3 winners, had Harry Bates rolling back the years with a 85-17.

* Widnes Bowling Club show no signs of cracking and look to be revelling in the pressure of being top of Widnes Billiards League.

Colin Attwood won 100-66 for the pacesetters. Simms Cross B by the same scoreline, with Kenny Kilshaw 100-36 and John Hallsworth (35 break) were superb.

Ford won 5-2 with Chris Achillies getting home100-43 and Tony Collins 100-92.

Moorfield A were also 5-2 winners as Barry 'Bullet' Wainwright (100-52) and Brian Adamson (100-63) claimed the spoils.

Widnes Conservative A overcame Moorfield B 4-3 with Tony Grant (100-24) and Mark Smith (51 break) doing just enough.

Farnworth B got home 4-3 with Tony Hill a sensational 100-54 winner.

The USC derby went in favour of the B team 4-3 with Brian Woodrow (100-92) claiming a notable scalp.

* There is a secretaries' meeting on Tuesday December 12 at Widnes Rec, 7.30pm.

* The league sends its condolences to the family and friends of St Bede's player Phil McGuinness, who died this week.