SECOND-placed and home side St Matthew's were unable to make any headway against the Fifth Division leaders Salesbury B.

Apart from taking four of the mixed doubles, they were outplayed. Salesbury meanwhile, must now look forward to taking the title and returning to the Fourth Division at their first attempt.

Until now, things had been going well for the leaders of the Fourth Division Accrington Falcons, who appear to be well on their way to better things.

However, playing away to mid-table Independents C, they were checked in their quest for supremacy.

The games were level after the mixed doubles with everything to play for in the level doubles. In the end, both sides won two ladies and gents doubles, and it was only because of the slightly better ace difference of six, that the Falcons were able to secure a win.

This allowed Blackburn Juniors A to maintain pressure at the top and close the gap. The admirable Juniors enjoyed a good win over St Nicholas B. With the season now almost half-way through, the Juniors must now fancy their chance of promotion.

The College side lost their second placing as a result of their narrow defeat at the hands of Roefield C.

British Aerospace found themselves on the winning side in their Second Division match against Independent B.

Dominating proceedings, they looked strong in all areas dominating play and bossed the mixed doubles, but above all the outstanding play of their men gave them a well-deserved first win of the season. The plight of Belgrave Carpets continues to show, and they remain firmly at the bottom of the First Division after suffering yet another heavy defeat, this time at the hands of Independent A. Fellow struggling side Stanhill A were also on the receiving end of a poor result at the hands of high-flying Pleckgate.

Results - Division One: Independent A 15-228(19), Belgrave Carpets 1-114(3); Pleckgate 14-224(18), Stanhill A 2-137(4); YMCA B 6-160(9), Brockhall 10-200(14).

Division Two: BAe 14-216(18), Independent B 2-148(4); Roefield A 14-215(18), YMCA C 2-123(4); Mount Carmel 13-224(17), Abacus 3-136(5).

Division Three: Prince 9-194(12), Westholme 7-174(10).

Division Four: Roefield C 13-223(17), Telecom B 3-93(4); Telecom B 5-156(8) YMCA D 11-206(15); Independent C 8-171(11), Accrington Falcons 8-177(12); St Nicholas B 7-172(10), Roefield C 9-199(12).

Division Five: Roefield D 11-189(14), Blackburn Juniors B 5-137(7); Olympic C 7-157(10), Phoenix 9-170(12); St Matthew's 4-142(6), Salesbury B 12-214(16).

Fixtures - Nov 29: Handicap Mixed Doubles Tournament; Nov 30: Handicap Men's and Ladies Doubles Tournament; Dec 1: Handicap Mixed Doubles Tournament; Dec 2: Handicap Men's and Ladies Doubles Tournament; Dec 3: Handicap Finals (all events).

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.