ST MARY'S A gained a narrow lead following the first leg of the Bury Amateur Billiards League Team Knockout final at Walshaw Conservative B.

T. Wilkinson began well for the home side and enjoyed a comfortable lead from the beginning. He gradually opened up a lead to around 40 over his opponent, G. Farrington, and eventually ran out the winner by 125-92.

The second game saw P. Eslick take on M. Ryder with the home player giving away a huge handicap advantage. In the early stages Eslick had a break of 31 to reduce the deficit but Ryder fought back with a run of 23 to restore the handicap lead.

Later on, Eslick had another run of 28 but could not overcome the deficit as Ryder again scored a run of 18 and won the game for the visitors with the result the same as the opening game 125-92.

With the match tied after two games, it was left to A. Rossbottom and P. Turner to decide the match outcome. Rossbottom had to give his opponent a handicap start and opened with an early 33 break.

He gradually reduced the deficit to 7 at around the 100 stage when he had a run of 16 to put him in front for the first time.

Not to be outdone though Turner responded with a run of 14 to take him within four point of the winning post. When Rossbottom failed to score Turner stepped in to snatch victory by just nine points.

So the match is finely set up for the return leg, which takes place at St Mary's on Thursday.

The presentation night, when the finals of the individual merit and the Pair Competition will take place, is on Thursday, May 1 at Seedfield Bowling Club.

The individual is between P. Eslick and A. Wilson, while the pairs match sees Samuels and Jones take on Farrington and Ryder.

TEAM KNOCKOUT FIRST LEG

WALSHAW CONS B...333

ST MARY'S A...342

T. Wilkinson 125, G. Farrington 92; P. Eslick 92, M. Ryder 125; A. Rossbottom 116, P. Turner 125.

BREAKS OVER 30: P. Eslick 31, A. Rossbottom 33.