CURRENT holders of the Times Cup, Stanhill B, look as though they are making a determined effort to retain their trophy.

Although having previously suffered a defeat in their pool against Halsteads, this week they took control of their match against Clitheroe A. Whilst being classed as the underdogs and receiving a 144-ace advantage, they kept up the pressure against a strong home side.

Having completed the level doubles they were just behind the asking rate, but things turned round in the mixed doubles when they improved their performance and well deserved victory by 68 aces. Their next match is against the strongest team in the league, YMCA A.

Telecom A held off Olympic A and in spite of the home side having the added handicap, came away victors with a 16 ace win.

Independent A from the Second Division gave First Division Brockhall a fright. Whilst the visitors won every game, Independent were able to claim valuable aces in their games and were only just behind the rate for a victory.

In the end Brockhall recorded an 11 ace win. Westholme A were again on the losing side when playing against Tag. The visitors unfortunately fielded a team with an ineligible player and had their score removed in favour of Westholme, but they still came away winners.

Whitehall were always in trouble in their match against St Matthew's, suffering a 12 ace defeat. They will have to rely on other results if they are to reach the semi-finals.

High flying Colne from the Fourth Division, fielded a team with two players unlisted in their pool and had their results removed when they visited Telecom B.

In a low scoring match Clitheroe D played well above their normal standards when they entertained the youngsters from Westholme B. Throughout the match the result could have gone either way and with only a 16 ace advantage to the home side, tension was there until the end. Clitheroe D recorded a win without the benefit of their added handicap.

Results -- Times Cup: Halsteads 241 BAe Systems 177; Clitheroe A 224 Stanhill B 292; St Nicholas A 353 St Philips 148; Olympic A 212 Telecom A 229; YMCA B 240 Abacus A 193; Independent A 229 Brockhall 240; Westholme A 225 Tag 255.

Smith Cup: Telecom B 355 Colne 120; Stanhill C 272 Independent B 172; Prince 234 Roefield 267; Clitheroe D 209 Westholme B 182; Whitehall 231 St Matthew's 243.

Lancashire inter-Leageu -- Division One: Blackburn 9 Whitefield 2; Blackburn 7 Manchester 4; Southport 6 Blackburn 6; Mid Lancs 10 Blackburn 1; Blackburn 3 Liverpool 8.

Division Two: Wigan 7 Blackburn 2nd 4; Bolton 11 Blackburn 2nd 0; Blackburn 2nd 5 Widnes 6; Blackburn 2nd 7 Oldham & Rochdale 4.

Division Four: Blackburn 3rd 7 Whitefield 2nd 4; Blackburn 3rd 2 Mid Lancs 3rd 9; Widnes 2nd 9 Blackburn 3rd 2; Blackburn 3rd 2 Warrington 9; Liverpool 2nd 5 Blackburn 3rd 6.

Fixtures for March 3-7 -- Times Cup: BAe Systems v Clitheroe A; YMCA A v Stanhill B; Telecom A v St Nicholas A; Clitheroe B v St Philips; Stanhill A v Abacus A; Brockhall v YMCA B; Westholme A v YMCA C.

Smith Cup: Colne v College; Avondale v Telecom B; St Nicholas B v Independent B; Roefield v Stanhill C; Westholme B v Olympic C; Phoenix v Clitheroe D; Abacus B v Salesbury B.

March 9: Level A Tournament.