Ramsbottom A stretched their lead at the top of Division One of the Bury and District League to 10 points following a 9-1 win at Prestwich A.

Three wins each for Brian Clements and Graham Young steered Ramsbottom to a comprehensive victory.

Second-placed Radcliffe Cricket Club also put in a fantastic performance to win 8-2 at third-placed Little Lever, with Phil Biggs and Graham Jeffries scoring trebles.

Second-bottom Prestwich C won the basement battle, beating bottom side St Philip’s 8-2 at home. Lee Devenport was unbeaten for Prestwich.

Carlton Club A beat Burning Desire 7-3 at home.

Polish Catholic Club were beaten 9-1 at home by Division Two champions-elect Maccabi A. Dean Clyne and Louis Rosenthal each won three for Maccabi, who now lead the division by four points.

Seedfield A dropped valuable points in their 6-4 win at Carlton Vale, with the home side’s Chris Sutcliffe doing the damage with a treble.

ELPM A beat bottom side Holmar A 9-1 at home. Dawes and Ian Cockcroft were unbeaten for ELPMA.

Third-placed SP Carlton won the battle of the promotion chasers, claiming a 6-4 victory at fourth-placed Prestwich D. Tommy Ryan won his three for the visitors.

Carlton Club B enjoyed a fine 7-3 win at Elton Vale Sports Club, with Mark Reading starring for the visitors.

Hilton YMCA maintained their dominance in Division Three with a 9-1 home win against Carlton Club C. Rob Bent and Mark Speakman both scored trebles. Their closest rivals, Seedfield B, beat Maccabi B 7-3 at home. Mick Charlton was the unbeaten player on the night for Seedfield.

Shawfield B heaped the misery on Seedfield C, beating the already relegated bottom side 8-2 at home. Wayne Ellis and Dave Stubbington won their three for Shawfield.

Elton Vale B enjoyed a 6-4 home win over second-bottom Shawfield A, with Frank Green winning his three for Elton.

Prestwich F maintained their tilt for the Division Four title with an 8-2 victory at Maccabi D. Rod Hughes and Alistair Wakefield were the star players for Prestwich, who need just two more points to win the league.

Shawfield C remain clear favourites to take the remaining promotion spot after their 7-3 win at third-bottom Holmar C, who are now just a point above Shawfield D and Prestwich G.

Maccabi E put their own relegation fears to bed with an 8-2 home win over Prestwich G. Peter Canter was the unbeaten player for Maccabi.

Shawfield D picked up vital points in their 6-4 defeat at home to Bury Grammar School Old Boys A. Andy Evans was unbeaten for the visitors, while Andrew Ingham won two for Shawfield.

Maccabi F were too good for Holmar B, winning 8-2 at home. Alan Nesbitt and his dad Jack were both unbeaten for Maccabi.

Shawfield E took a step closer to the Division Five title with a 6-4 win at third-placed Holmar D. David Bell won his three for Holmar, including a victory over top of the averages James Collier. James and Lauren Brassington each won two for Shawfield.

Second-placed Holmar E missed the chance to cut the gap at the top, beating Maccabi G by the same scoreline. Maccabi’s Sam Ballin helped to keep the winning margin down, scoring a treble.

Shawfield F also had a 6-4 win, beating bottom side Seedfield E. Scot Fleming provided the edge, winning his three for Shawfield.

And in a week of 6-4 victories, Seedfield D just pipped junior team Ramsbottom Table Tennis Academy B at home. Ian McKenzie led the way for Seedfield with three wins.

The week’s other two matches were not quite so close, Wardle earning a comprehensive 9-1 victory at Shawfield B, while Bury Grammar School Old Boys B went one better, claiming a 10-0 whitewash at ELPM D. David Watts and Jack Gratton were unbeaten for Wardle.