THE mass exit of Division One teams continues in this year's Widnes & District Snooker League Team Knockout.
Only four sides from the top flight have made it into the last 16, Ford A were among the casualties as Division Three strugglers Stadium C acquitted themselves superbly against the powerful Motormen with Paul Goulden and Dave Jones stealing the show for the underdogs.
Village A found giving away 300 points on handicap was too much, even for them, and Simms Cross B cruised home with plenty to spare thanks to the experienced Billy Murnane and Kev Johnson.
Farnworth A continued their fantastic form, taking the scalp of WBC with incredible displays from Alan Johnson (98-14) and Chris Smart (115-2).
St Basil's A claimed an impressive and hard-fought win over Eccleston LE B, despite giving the losers a 270 start. The difference makers were Chris Lam (114-10) and Jason Sharp (102-9).
Stablemates St Basil's B scraped through in the closest match of the round - their final-black heroics edging out an in-form Moor-field B team.
Barry Lane (75-37) and Terry Welsh (51-38) gave the decisive displays.
Last season's Division One champions Overton Memorial Hall had a wonderful result over WCC C - Geoff Brassington (112-13) and Ste Spencer (105-7) turning the tables on the cricket club.
Ford B gained sweet revenge over Division Two counterparts Corporation, having recently taken a thrashing by the Corpy in the league.
The point-proving win was set up by a star performance from young sensation Graham Mc-Cann, a 65-37 winner.
In the Farnworth 'derby', the 'C' team bowed to their 'D' team as B Kelly (49-44) and Cliff Dicks (52-49) both claimed surprise wins. The very well-handicapped Conservative Club C team demolished divisional rivals RAOB B with Mike Foran (95-32) and Simon Howard (93-39) proving too strong.
Under-performing Widnes Rec still have a chance of success this season after cruising home against a dismal Widnes Conservative A.
Jack Lord (49-48) and John Wright (59-36) got the Liverpool Road side off to the best possible start.
In the most one-sided tie, USC A annihilated Widnes Conservative B - this being an awesome team display from this year's Division Two champions-elect.
USC sprinted home by 220 to reward a tremendous 102-13 frame by powerhouse Paul Tudor and Andy Cotterill's 35 clearance.
Village B continued their resurgence with a comfortable 100-point win over Pavilions.
Darren Kirchin (68-15) and Neil Fitzsimmons (64-37) had got the Villagers off to a good start.
Mill Brow went down at home to Oddfellows with Michelle Hodson (49-40) and Mike Sheridan (50-30) doing the damage for the Halebankers.
In the Widnes & District Billiards League, Farnworth A gained a 5-2 success over USC B. They took inspiriation from early damage inflicted by youngsters Chris Chapman (100-45), Terry Burke (100-46) and John Davenport (100-46).
Farnworth B, however, didn't fare so well - going down 5-2 to USC A.
Howard Jones (100-61) and Ste Rawlinson (100-31, including a 44 break) impressed most for the Prescot Road side.
Widnes Rec just can't seem to get over the winning line any more - they missed out 4-3 to nearest rivals Ford for whom Tommy Barton (100-68) and Geoff Brassington (100-24) were in typically-scintillating form.
Widnes Conservative A scraped home by the same score line thanks to late wins from Peter Kenny (100-64) and anchorman Ged Lowe (100-82).
WBC got a much-needed win over fellow mid-table side WCC with John Twist (100-77) and Ian Atherton (100-66) settling the issue late on.
