LOCAL teams Ighten Mount and Sunnybank who defeated Bamber Bridge and Fishwick Ramblers 4-2 and 5-1 respectively, had plenty to cheer as they boosted their league totals.

The Burnley team recorded their third win of the season and are now undefeated in their last three matches.

Although they remain next to bottom in the division, they are only six points adrift second place, which is a good effort for the first half of the season in their debut year.

They made an excellent start against Bamber Bridge and swept into a 3-0 half-time lead.

Steve Crossley 21-13, Alan Fitz- gerald 21-15 and Ken Topham, who won a close contest 21-19 were the successes.

Bamber Bridge replied after the break with wins from Phil Parkinson 21-15 and Derek Bracewell 21-19 before Alan Walsh secured victory for Ighten Mount 21-17.

Sunnybank have also improved recently and remain undefeated since mid-May. This latest away win has boosted their chances in the championship stakes.

Captain Jim O'Connor was the unlucky loser by the narrowest of margins 21-20, otherwise it would have been the first-ever away clean sweep score.

But on the plus side, both Brian Haworth and John Flanagan won thrilling games by just one point 21-20 which put the icing on the cake. Bob Haworth 21-9 and Jack Pilling 21-11 both won unchallenged while Fred Barlow had points to spare 21-14.

Witton put the brakes on Rose N'Bowl team Stacksteads as both sides remain in touch with the leading group.

Jim Heys 21-20 and Louis Stevenson 21-18 gave the visitors a 2-1 lead at the interval after Peter Slinger won 21-14 for Witton.

After the break, Witton swept the board thanks to Bill Green 21-14 and Mick Lee 21-17, and best of the day from Brian Hoole 21-7.

Reigning champions Alexandra are still in with a chance of retaining their crown and were well pleased to share the spoils at Railway Hotel, Lostock.

The visitors shaded the honours 2-1 in games in the first half while the homesters levelled up in a similar reply after the interval.

Captain Vincen O'Donnell scored a well deserved 21-14 win while Brian Tomlinson squeezed home 21-20. Andrew Harley 21-12 was the comfortable winner for the home side.

Barry Sutton 21-12 and Dave Barnish 21-5 added points for Railway before Mick Chapman returned a fine 21-11 score for Alex.

Results: Ighten Mount 4, Bamber Bridge 2; Lostock 3, Alexandra 3; Ramblers 1, Sunnybank 5; St Annes 4, Frenchwood 2; Witton 4, Stacksteads 2.

Fixtures for Sunday: Alexandra v Ighten Mount; Stacksteads v Frenchwood; St Annes v Witton; Ramblers v Bamber Bridge; Sunnybank v Lostock.

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