All to play for in final week (From Crewe Guardian)

All to play for in final week

8:10am Monday 18th February 2013 in Sport

THE dominoes sections are especially close as the Crewe Liberal Club Open League campaign draws to a close.

Five of the sections have up to six teams still with a chance of a top two finish.

To comply with league rules, the recent resignation from Division Two means only the bottom team will be relegated from divisions two to four.

Promotions will be the usual top two from divisions one to five, with divisions five and six likely to be merged to make the Summer League six divisions of 10 teams.

Premier Division leaders Hop Pole A won 5-3 at Pioneers A and are title favourites, five points ahead of Flying Lady A who crashed 7-1 at West End Band C.

The latter, along with Vine A who also hit seven at Commercial, are the main threat to the Lady’s probable runners-up aspirations, although Cosey and Pioneers A cannot be ruled out.

Division One has new leaders in Express, despite them only drawing with Nantwich Road A who move up to second.

Broughton Arms’ 6-2 win at Imperial lifts them to third and demotes Imp from top to fifth. Five points cover the top six teams, who meet each other in final matches.

Division Two long-time leaders Bridge A are champions without playing this week.

Main rivals White Lion A crashed 6-2 at Duke of Bridgewater A and as they have finished their fixtures will have to wait and see which of the four chasing teams, who clash last match, will overtake them to be runners-up.

Division Three toppers Liberal Club won 5-3 at Vine C to move three points clear of Flying Lady B, who drew with Prince of Wales C.

Pioneers Club B won 6-2 at Coppenhall Club to regain third spot and are one of five teams who will finish in the trophy places, and they meet the bottom five in their final matches.

Division Four’s top two White Lion and Waldron B will finish as top two, with just the order to be decided.

Lion are one point ahead and have a better win record, so the Waldron need to get two points more against Cumberland C than the Lion get at the Coach and Horses.

Division Five leaders Swan and Chequers completed their fixtures with a 6-2 win over Brunel Arms C and are two points ahead of new challengers Oddfellows Club, 7-1 winners at Nags Head. The Oddies host bottom team Rileys Club B in their last match, but must also watch their backs as third placed Brunel Arms C have two matches to play.

Division Six leaders Nantwich Road B were crowned champions without playing as challengers Brunel Arms B and Hop Pole B gained average points.

The latter two meet last match to decide runners-up spot, as Foresters Arms B can only overtake one of them.