THE top two teams remain neck and neck in A Division after both obtained maximum victories.

Hotshots took on A Division newcomers Scretnins and showed them just how much tougher life in the top stream could be. Matthew Hamer and Steven Riddiough won all their matches and the doubles in straight games to give them all five points. Both players remain unbeaten at the top of the merit table.

The Unbeatables are hot on their heels although they have played two games more. Their opponents were A Division re-visitors Smashers, who have been faring slightly better second time around. However, they were no match for Demha Ahmed and Simon McNamara who were in outstanding form to win all their matches in straight games.

Only the doubles lasted longer than three games, but they eventually won that too to take all five points. Demha Ahmed moves up to fourth and Simon McNamara just edged his way into the merit table in eighth place.

Rishton Rovers have had an excellent start to their first season in the top flight. Their good progress continued in the local derby match against Rishton Rebels whose only resistance came from Adam Hek who took Simon Walsh to five games, but narrowly lost it 10-12. Simon Walsh won his other match comfortably and partner Ian Whalley also won twice.

Together they won the doubles to attain a maximum five points and reaffirm third position in the table.

Ian moves up to fifth and Simon to sixth in the merit table.

Arsenal Haters are making life hard for themselves by consistently appearing with only one player. Saqib Mehrban won both his games to be player of the match, but had to concede the remaining points to Ozzy Hardcores. This made the result 3-2 to the Ozzy team who move up to fourth place. Saqib moves up two places to third in the merit table. In B Division, the top of the table clash between CSB and the A Team resulted in A team establishing themselves as championship favourites. Young up and coming star Adrian Bond beat both his opponents in straight games to be player of the match.

Andrew Evans also won twice before assisting in winning the doubles to complete the whitewash. Andrew is still unbeaten at the top of the merit table and Adrian remains second.

All Stars attained their first win of the season at the expense of Ping and Pong and lifted themselves off the foot of the table. New recruit Robert Woody, has only been playing table tennis a few weeks, but beat Kieran Brown 12-10 in the fifth game. He then won his other match in straight games. Daniel Morris also won twice and partnered Robert to win the doubles and jubilantly take all five points.

Smash and Thrash were handed their second win when Tigers failed to make an appearance.

Results - A Division: Rishton Rebels 0, Rishton Rovers 5; Ozzy Hardcores 3, Arsenal Haters 2; Hotshots 5, Scretnins 0; Smashers 0, Unbeatables 5.

B Division: CSB 0, The A Team 5; All Stars 5, Ping and Pong 0; Smash and Thrash 5, Tigers 0.

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