FOLLOWING the completion of the Bury Amateur Billiards League fixtures this week saw the return fixture of the Inter-League billiards competition.

The Harry Smith Memorial Trophy is contested between both of the billiards leagues in Bury.

After the first leg, which took place last November, the Amateur League held a 52-point lead.

So in the return match, it was crucial that the Political League got off to a good start if they were to overcome the deficit.

However, this was not to be as P. Spencer had an outstanding opening game that saw Amateur League increase the advantage by a substantial margin.

P. Taylor for the Political League did manage to win the other game that was running concurrently, but only by a small margin.

The next two games saw D. Samuels and A. Wilson take on A. Rossbottom and R. Pearson respectively.

Once again the Amateur League players enjoyed the better of the running, with D. Samuels having a break of 33 and both going on to extend their lead even further.

In the third set, V. Fox and M. Broadhead took on T. Wilkinson and B. Holden.

Although T. Wilkinson manage to win his game quite comfortably, the Amateur League extended their lead as M. Broadhead won his game by 47 and secured victory.

The final two matches -- G. Farrington against P. Eslick and E. Jones against J. Birtwistle -- were simply a matter of formality, since between them the Amateur League players only needed to rattle up another 30 points to clinch the win.

P. Eslick opened up a healthy lead in his game but a spirited fight back by G. Farrington saw him reach 56, while on the other table E. Jones comfortably overcame the challenge from J. Birtwistle.

Results -- BURY AMATEUR LEAGUE...1397 (682 brought forward from first leg) BURY POLITICAL LEAGUE...1243 (63 brought forward from first leg)

P. Spencer 100, T. Sudhurst 38; R. Vadasz 90, P. Taylor 100; D. Samuels 100, A. Rossbottom 64; A. Wilson 100, R. Pearson 83; V. Fox 69, T. Wilkinson 100; M. Broadhead 100, B. Holden 53; G. Farrington 56, P. Eslick 100; E. Jones 100, J. Birtwistle 75.