SALFORD outfit Kersal Vale took over at the top of the Leigh League Division One table with an emphatic 4-0 away victory at the early season surprise package Three Crowns A.

The last winners of the Bolton Combination Premier Division title before the league folded its local involvement are now beginning to look a real force in the Leigh League.

The goals came from Mike Phillips, George Rowbotham, and two from Steve White.

Clear leaders going into the weekend, Rope and Anchor, were held to a 3-3 draw at Leigh Avenue after taking a two goal lead in the first quarter of an hour through Andy Cathcart and Mark Smith. Avenue hit back to lead 3-2 through Steve Ackers, Kevin Bretherton and Rob Prentis only to for Smith to level on 86 minutes.

Hat-trick

A Steve Marsh hat-trick and converted penalty from Steve Anderton gave Moonraker a 4-1 home win over Royal Oak. Stuart Gaskell got the losers consolation goal two minutes from time.

Steve Ashbrook scored twice in Higher Folds 7-0 stroll at Legion, as did Nicholas Hayes in Limelight's 3-2 away victory at George VI.

Hag Fold are now been cast adrift at the bottom of the table after a 3-1 home defeat by Fir Tree Rangers.

Division Two leaders Howe Bridge Mills were held to a 2-2 draw at Bowling Green. Courts are now just one point behind following a 6-2 away win at Horns Inn, Stuart Pickup having a great day with five goals. Fir Tree Rangers Reserves and Three Crowns B drew 3-3 and also sharing the points were Ukranian Club and Atherton Royal after a 1-1 stalemate. Darren Davies scored twice in the three minutes before the interval in Asda Golborne,s 3-1 win at Concert Inn.