ONCE again YMCA A are the champions of the First Division, a position they have held since taking it from Brockhall A in the 1982-83 season.

This year, their position was secured following a win over third-placed Pleckgate.

TAG are now confirmed as champions of the Fourth Division after their win over College.

Having won the Fifth Division in 1997 - their first season in the league - TAG have now taken the Fourth Division as well.

They have also won every game in the league since joining.

Salesbury B now find themselves deeper in trouble following their narrow defeat by fellow struggling side Olympic B.

Second-placed Belgrave Carpets B from the second division of the Blackburn and District Badminton Association, were surprisingly beaten by lowly Abacus - the home side were forced to play with only three men and this immediately put them in trouble.

Abacus, fighting desperately to avoid the Second Division play-off matches, excelled themselves, and were the better side throughout the match.

Abacus dominated the mixed doubles and this was the deciding factor in the match. Meanwhile, division leaders St Philip's got back into winning ways, outplaying Roefield B in an almost one-sided match. This result leaves promotion and possible championship success still on for St Philip's. However, it looks as though Roefield will be relegated.

In the Third Division, Roefield C now discover that they will be relegated, and this without playing a match this week. Accrington Falcons gained some valuable points in their match against Olympic A.

The visitors were always in front in this match, but the Falcons made it a very competitive affair, but were pipped at the post. Having secured nine bonus points, Falcons ensured the demise of Roefield. At the top of the table, Stanhill look almost certain to gain promotion and be crowned champions after they never allowed Brockhall B the chance to settle and dropped just two games all evening.

Prince Sports now move into an automatic promotion place by defeating a depleted side from Whitehall. Meanwhile Brockhall, who were anxious to get back the Championship Cup, won at Salesbury A but realised that the cause was lost even though they took the match comfortably. With only two matches in the league programme remaining, it looks as though they will finish as runners-up. Roefield A had a rare and enjoyable match against fellow-struggling Stanhill A, but alas their well-deserved narrow win does not move them away from relegation. Stanhill are still in trouble and may have to take part in a play-off.

The top of the Fifth Division looks as though it will not be decided until the final week of the season. In the Fifth Division, Blackburn Juniors, lying in second place, beat Roefield D in a one-sided match.

They won comfortably at Blackburn Blinds but dropped four games and consequently lost two valuable bonus points.

Results - Smith Cup: Whitehall 235, Belgrave Carpets B 152; TAG 240, Independents C 257.

Wilson Plate: YMCA D 240, St Nicholas B 90.

Division One: Brockhall A 11-217(15), Salesbury A 5-161(8); Roefield A 9-214(13), Stanhill A 7-182(10); Independents A 12-227(16), YMCA C 4-115(6); YMCA A 14-229(18), Pleckgate 2-129(4).

Division Two: St Philip's 11-203(15), Roefield B 5-144(7); Belgrave Carpets A 6-127(8), Abacus 10-210(14).

Division Three: Stanhill B 14-228(18), Brockhall B 2-125(4); Roefield C 7-173(10), Belgrave Carpets B 9-194(12); Prince Sports 13-231(17), Whitehall 3-97(4); Accrington Falcons 6-181(9), Olympic A 10-218(14).

Division Four: Salesbury B 7-171(10), Olympic B 9-187(12); College 4-169(7), TAG 12-228(16); Westholme 13-223(17), YMCA D 3-135(5); Independents C 4-150(7), Aztecs 12-218(16).

Division Five: Blackburn Juniors A 14-227(18), Roefield D 2-112(4); Blackburn Blinds 4-162(7), St Matthew's 12-224(16); Olympic C 11-198(14), Blackburn Juniors B 5-143(7).

Fixtures - Sunday: Level A Tournament; March 19: Committee meeting. March 21: Manchester v Blackburn; Lancaster v Blackburn 3rd; March 25-29: Cup round.

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