Premier Division Champions Ramsbottom A scored an emphatic 8-1 win over last season’s runner-up Hilton A, to go top of the table. The win featured three wins by Andy Jackson and Richard Lightowler, and two by Mick Moir. Hilton Tameside in second spot crushed St.Catherine’s A 9-0 with Phil Biggs, Jake Shaw and Jeff Cowgill all unbeaten. Wharton kicked off their programme with a 6-3 victory over Little Lever A which included three wins by Barry Elliott two by Glen Payne and one by Bob Jackson. The Ramsbottom B trio of Tim Ternent, Brian Clemments and Josh Bleakley scored maximum points against Little Lever B.
Early Division One leaders Heaton A opened their account with a 7-2 win at Little Lever C, followed by a 9-0 victory over Nomads A. Paul Ward trebled in both matches and brother Matt, and Steve Barber trebled against Nomads. St Catherine’s B in second place recorded a 7-2 win at Hilton B which included three wins by Kristof Pinter and Paul Brandwood. Heaton B suffered two 6-3 defeats by Wingates and Ramsbottom D. John and Allan Bradbury trebled for Wingates as did Martin Holt for Ramsbottom. Wingates followed with a 5-4 loss to St Catherine’s C whose Lee Davenport was unbeaten. Dave Bolton three wins and Alex Waring and Craig Bradbury two apiece gave Ladybridge a 7-2 win over Heaton C.
Division Two leaders Nomads B scored their second 9-0 win of the season at the expense of Ladybridge B. Martin Howarth, Gareth Palmer and Dave Holden all unbeaten on the night. Hilton D in second spot came away with a 6-3 win at Little Lever D, Alan Bradshaw, Tony Eardley and Barry Walsh all won two with Mark Martin winning the sets for the losers. Chris Naylor and Roger Bertrand both scored three wins for Hilton C who won 6-3 at BEN A. Bob Bent’s treble helped Coburg beat Heaton E 5-4, while Hilton E beat Farnworth TTC A by the same score as did Meadow Hill A against Heaton F.
St Catherine’s D top Division Three after two 9-0 wins against Irlam Steel and St Paul’s Peel, their three players Stuart McCaig, Debbie Wilson and Ben Dudley were unbeaten in both matches. In second spot the BEN B trio of Alan Hibbert, James Bollard and Phil Herd ran out 9-0 winners at Hilton F. Meadow Hill B won 5-4 at Walkden Meths with Roy Caswell their unbeaten player but, followed with a 7-2 defeat by Hilton H whose Alan Revel scored three wins. Roy Alty trebled for St Catherine’s E who were beaten 6-3 by visitors Farnworth SC , and three wins by Davis Yates and two by Matt Hood gave Irlam Steel a 5-4 victory at Ladybridge C.
Hilton J share top spot in Division Four with Heaton G. The Hilton team won 7-2 at Heaton H with three wins by Andrew Morey, and two apiece by Minh Le and John Parker, while Heaton G scored an 8-1 win at Lads Club B which featured trebles by Colin Roberts and Phil Beales and a double by Geoff Harris. Boyzone scored a 5-4 win against Farnworth TTC B after suffering a 6-3 loss at Lads Club B. Against Farnworth Mike Barnes and Jez Grimwood scored two each and Vinnie Merritt one with Matthew Leach unbeaten for the losers, and Josh Sandford trebled for the Lads Club in the first match. St Catherine’s F won 7-2 at Hilton K with three wins by Lewis Smith and two apiece by Adam Chappel and David Naylor, Max Maybury winning the two sets for the losers. The Hilton I trio of Les Clough, Malcolm Rose and Gordon Stone opened their account with a 9-0 win at Lads Club A.