CLITHEROE B pool team slipped to a third successive narrow defeat in the Lancashire Inter-League, going down 8-10 to a strong Burnley outfit.

Skipper Gary Simkin said: "It's really disappointing because we played some great pool. Once again, we made a poor start, losing 1-3 and though we pulled back to 6-6, they got away from us."

Paul Blackburn grabbed a brace of wins, including one superb clearance. Dave Parkinson added another with a seven-ball sweep. And there were wins for Rick Avery, Dave Askew, Paul Hodges, Mark Preston and Mark Garner.

Next up for Clitheroe B are arguably the strongest team in the competition, Preston.

"Before that, though, there's the small matter of the Inter-League knockouts at Blackpool," said Gary.

"Hopefully we'll have a bit more luck there, it would be great to make it to the national finals in Great Yarmouth."