Prestwich & Whitefield League Pool League, Sponsored by RILEYS

WEEK eleven of the season saw league action take a back seat as the group cup got underway.

The top sides usually play squad members who do not play regularly and this leaves the door open to the odd shock.

Well, this was no exception as Heaton Park Social Club were held to a 4-4 draw by the Bulls Head.

Amazingly, the Bull were 3-0 down but clawed their way back.

Unfortunately, both sides forgot about the play-off frame, so this will have to be played at 8pm before the final fixture.

The Red Lion and WSC B drew 4-4 and made the same error by not playing a play-off frame.

They too will have to play it on June 7, at 8pm, before their matches begin.

Defending champions Rileys, who have won this competition three out of the last five years, started their campaign with a 7-1 away demolition of the Cleveland.

Robert Platt put Rileys one up with an outstanding finish, but two stars of the match were playing their first singles games of the season.

Colin Parry (snr) produced a fine clearance to pull his frame around, and Chris Hesford, a man with a great record of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, gave an excellent display to beat Stan Cauley.

Diggery Corrigan's boys have made it hard for themselves to qualify.

The Plough made a good start in this group also with a 6-2 win over the Park Hotel.

Last year's runners up, the Goats Gate, got off to a flying start with a 6-2 win against the Dragon.

Normal service resumed for the Gate after last week's disappointment.

In this group, the Bird in Hand got off to a flyer with a 6-2 win over the Rainsough Brew.

The next eight qualifiers were settled for the last sixteen of the individuals.

l The last 16 in full are: T. Jordan, S. Weatherilt, P. De Leth, M. Hibbert, M. Openshaw (Cross Keys); R. Platt, C. Parry M. Peake, C. Parry snr (Rileys); M. Shaw, S. Cauley (Cleveland); P. Bain (HPSC); P. Beeston (Goats Gate); J. Noone (Park Hotel); B. Nicholson (Bulls Head); T. Minta (Bird in Hand).