IN THE preliminary round of the Allspeeds Cup this week, Razor Blades scalped Optimists 7-2 in an emphatic away victory.

In Group Eight Harlequins had a close 5-4 home win over Mixed and were indebted once again to Danny Chamberlain with three victories and with two wins from Ian Pickles for the losers, demonstrates how tight this group is.

Old Masters overcame fellow First Division opposition in another 5-4 win over East Lancs. Colin Wilson was in tremendous form for the Cricketers and won his matches in straight sets, plus there were two fine wins for Albert Pickles for the winners.

Haslingden CC top Group Three with a 5-4 away win over Royal Mail. Peter Barham and Andy Horrocks winning two each for the victors and old warhorse. Ageless Arthur Hartshorn was unbeaten for the Burnley Postal side.

In Group Four, DASH left them standing literally in an 8-1 defeat of Standen Hall. Their trio of Mark Read, Trudy Barker and Fred Ashworth being too good for the opposition.

Allspeeds travelled to Brierfield in their Group Five match and won 7-2. Captain Ged Simpson - unbeaten for the visitors was supported by two wins each for Keith Ward and Keith Jackson. Temple visited Kay Street and came away with a close 5-4 win, J Hurlstone and F Rowland with two victories each for the winning side, and two victories for Matt and Frank Hodgkinson for the Kay Street outfit.

Kris Seed took no prisoners as Rovers outplayed a depleted Casuals side 7-2. In Group Six, Kris was unbeaten for the victors and victory was sealed with team-mates Steve Lyons and Mark Gleave winning two each. Nick Kenyon registered two victories for the losers.

SAS were bang back in form with a 6-3 home win over Sunnybank. Lee Robinson, Roger Lamonby and Frank Shanley all triumphed.

Results - Group One: Old Masters 5, East Lancs CC 4; Stanhill WMC v Buraccs pp.

Group Three: Royal Mail 4, Haslingden CC 5.

Group Four: DASH 8, Standen Hall 1; Springhill 6, Shahsmen 3.

Group Five: Brierfield 2, Allspeeds ; Kay St Baptist 4, Temple 5.

Group Six: Rovers 7, Casuals 2; Sports & Social 6, Sunnybank SC 3.

Group Seven: Optimists 2, Razor Blades 7.

Group Eight: Harlequins 5, Mixed 4.

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