RISHTON bounced back into top spot despite having to be satisfied with just one point from a 2-2 draw with Centurions in the Blackburn and District Combination.

The result however, dropped newcomers Centurions from third to fifth.

Ewood Amateurs, back on league duty, had another impressive win to move up to third and Old Toll Bar, with a win against Bee Hive, are now in third place. This early season jostling for positions certainly keeps everyone on their toes. St Mary's College Old Boys gained their second win of the season to move away from the foot of the table. Alexandra Hotel, despite their excellent win in the Amateur Shield last week, are still waiting to pick up their first League point.

In the Hi-Tech Replacement Windows Second Division, Anchor Hotel increased their lead to three points with their seventh win on the trot. Their latest victims were much-fancied Witton Albion. Two teams in this division notched 10 goals each, Langho defeating Pleasington 10-2 to move up to second place, and a similar scoreline saw St Matthew's defeat Clarence FC. Ivy Hotel shared the points with Marleys Wine Bar, while Rishton Res drew at home to Blackburn Utd.

There is no stopping Darwen Subs in the Third Division with a 100 per cent record after six games they hold a three-point lead.

Crown Berger Res just keep in touch after recording their third draw of the season, Athletico Mellor and Blue Star shared the points in their game. This was Blue Star's first point of the season. In the Neales Waste Management Fourth Division, leaders Hordens - after their shock defeat of last week - got themselves back into winning ways. They met bottom side Pleasington C, still pointless, but Hordens only just nicked it with the only goal of the game. Lord Raglan move up to second place.

The third side to score 10 goals was Forests Arms in their game against Grimshaw Park. St Matthew's Res following their latest win are now nicely placed in mid-table. All clubs are reminded that money for the sale of tickets for the North West Inter League Champions Cup Final should be handed in to Jim Howarth by this weekend, along with any unsold tickets.

The game will take place on Wednesday, October 27 (kick off 7.45pm) at the Anchor Ground, Darwen and will feature Ewood Amateurs (Blackburn Combination) and Whitbread (Preston and District Amateur League).

Fixtures for Saturday (kick-offs 2.15pm) - Colborne Trophy Premier Division: Bee Hive FC v St Mary's College OB (P5), Crown Berger v Centurions, Griffin Celtic v Old Toll Bar (P6), Manxman v West End CYC (P/g1), Railway Hotel v Ewood Amateurs (P/g2), Rishton v Alexandra Hotel.

High-Tech Replacement Windows Second Division: Blackburn United v Anchor Hotel (P7), Clarence FC v Whitehall Top Con, Marleys Wine Bar v St Matthew's (P8), New Gardeners v Langho (P9), Pleasington v Rishton Res (P10), Witton Albion v Ivy Hotel. Third Division: Alexandra Hotel Res v Blackburn Olympic (P11), Bangor Old Boys v Darwen Subs (P12), Blackburn YMCA v Pleasington Res, Blue Star v Brinscall (B/S), Railway Hotel (Darwen) v Athletico Mellor (P2), Worth Avenue v Crown Berger Res (B/S).

Neales Waste Management Fourth Division: Centurions B v Brinscall Res, Forests Arms v Blackburn Olympic Res (P1), Lord Raglan v Preston New Road (P3), Rishton C v Grimshaw Park FC (B/S), St Matthew's Res v Pleasington C (P4).

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