PAT Murray’s third maximum break of the campaign helped Castle D close to within a point of top spot in the Northwich and District League.

They ran out 6-1 victors at struggling Gladstone E and will replace Gladstone C, who don’t have a game this week, in first place if they prevail against Castle B.

The champions took care of the same opponents last time out with a 5-2 win that included Adam Griffiths potting all eight balls from a single visit to the table.

In-form Rudheath’s momentum stalled after a 7-0 thrashing at Castle A, who rise to third.

Carl Gibson’s impressive clearance in the second frame was a highlight before Andy Hamman went close to concluding an 8-ball break of his own before sealing victory in the fourth.

A run of five successive frames saw Broken Cross past Witton Chimes A in Division Two and propelled them up to second in the standings.

They replace Greenbank C who shared the first four frames with hosts Lion A before Tom Smith and Andy Jones claimed the next two as the Moulton outfit triumphed 4-3.

Barn Owl B’s hopes of being promoted were dented by a heavy home reverse against Gladstone D, while Owley Wood A twice came from behind to beat Iron Bridge A.

Phil Humphries won a decisive seventh frame for the hosts.

Leaders Greenbank A were gifted maximum points after Witton Albion failed to fulfil their fixture.

Green Dragon A’s lead in a race to be promoted from Division Three is worth five points following an emphatic 6-1 win against back-markers Wheatsheaf.

Greenbank B, in second, lost 4-3 at Slow & Easy B to lose ground and will be looking over their shoulders at Iron Bridge H who beat Green Dragon B.

Elsewhere Slow & Easy A fought back from 3-1 down to squeeze past their hosts Blue Barrel after captain Will Barlow took a deciding frame.

Results

Northwich and District Pool League

Week 14

Wednesday, January 16

Division One: Castle A 7-0 Rudheath; Castle B 2-5 Gladstone C; Gladstone B 4-3 Castle C; Gladstone E 1-6 Castle D. No game: Owley Wood B.

Division Two: Barn Owl B 1-6 Gladstone D; Greenbank A w/o Witton Albion; Lion A 4-3 Greenbank C; Owley Wood A 4-3 Iron Bridge; A; Witton Chimes A 2-5 Broken Cross.

Division Three: Blue Barrel 3-4 Slow & Easy A; Green Dragon A 6-1 Wheatsheaf; Iron Bridge H 5-2 Green Dragon B; Slow & Easy B 4-3 Greenbank B; Winnington Rec 2-5 Witton Chimes B.

Fixtures

Week 15

Wednesday, January 23

Division One: Castle C v Gladstone E; Castle D v Castle B; Owley Wood B v Castle A; Rudheath v Gladstone B. No game: Gladstone C.

Division Two: Broken Cross v Owley Wood A; Gladstone D v Witton Chimes A; Greenbank C v Barn Owl B; Iron Bridge A v Greenbank A; Witton Albion v Lion A.

Division Three: Greenbank B v Green Dragon A: Green Dragon B v Winnington Rec; Slow & Easy A v Slow & Easy B; Wheatsheaf v Iron Bridge H; Witton Chimes B v Blue Barrel.

Additional reporting by Rob Winnington