FRENCHWOOD player Mick Nelson moved to the top of the Super League individual merit awards, sponsored by Brownhill-based financial adviser Terry Sayers, with a terrific performance at Railway Lostock that yielded 12 aggregate points for his 21-9 win.

He leads team-mate Steve Edwards, who also had a fine 21-9, score to consolidate third place.

However, the best achievement so far by local competitors has come from Rose 'n' Bowl number one Louis Stevenson, who, since losing his opening game, has remained undefeated.

His 21-16 success at Bamber Bridge moved the Stacksteads man up into second place on the leaderboard and a win at Sunnybank this weekend will maintain his momentum.

Brian Tomlinson leads the Alexandra contingent of merit chasers with six points, while 1998 champion Mick Chapman is well placed to make up ground as the season progresses.

The form of Sunnybank young star Simon Haworth has been a boost to the team and his unbroken run has taken him into the top six. Keith Illingworth leads a strong Bamber Bridge contingent despite a 21-16 reverse. Team-mate Frank Harrison boosted his personal aggregate with a 21-6 victory that included an amazing 21 break, the first one ever recorded in the division. Some singles tournaments have in the past rewarded competitors' highest breaks, but as far as I know, it has never been included in league merit achievements.

Whether this ought to be recognised among annual merit listings and prizes, is open to debate, and one for the greenside pundits to ponder.

Leaderboard: Mick Nelson, Frenchwood, points 7, total 45; Louis Stevenson, Stacksteads 7, 23; Steve Edwards, Frenchwood 6, 41; Terry Wood, St Annes 6, 37; Brian Tomlinson, Alexandra 6, 19; Simon Haworth, Sunnybank 5, 26; Dave Worthington, St Annes 5, 16; Keith Illingworth, Bamber Bridge 5, 15; Colin Campbell, Witton 5, 8; Vincent O'Donnell, Alexandra 5, 6; Terry Connell, Alexandra 5, 6; Dave Barnish, Lostock 5, 1; Mick Chapman, Alexandra 4, 39; Larry Deary, Bamber Bridge 4, 34; Frank Harrison, Bamber Bridge 4, 33; George Gregson, Bamber Bridge 4, 26; Bob Cowling, Lostock 4, 16; Mick Lee, Witton 4, 15.

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