Only Ian Burns and Paul Cookson, who included breaks of 31 and 27 in his 81-42 win over Dave Jolly, managed to win for Reds.

It means their lead at the top is now down to one point – with Elite B and Riley Red right on their tails.

Elite B beat visitors Broughton A 6-1, with their professional Stuart Pettman in outstanding form.

He put together a break of 67 in his 83-68 victory over Danny Kay.

Broughton captain Graham Banks beat Andy Pickering 78-8 to prevent the whitewash.

Lostock Cons A beat hosts Bamber Bridge Cons 5-2 to tighten their grip on the Division Two title, with Paul Roberts and Ashley Hudson their best players on the night.

Roberts beat Paul Taylor 85-27, while a break of 38 secured a 68-48 win for Hudson over Alan Jackson.

Robbie Dodds was the pick of the home team's players as he beat Graham Marsden 85-20.

Tomorrow night the top four in the division clash, with Lostock Cons at home to St Bede's while St Bernard's host Bamber Bridge Cons.

With Division Three leaders Greenlands A without a match, Fulwood Blue beat their Red team 5-2 to make some ground on the Labour club, but still trail them by 10 points.

Whittingham A moved into joint third following their 6-1 win at Blessed Sacrament.

David Townley was the pick for the visitors and he beat Dave Myers 90-50.

Mick Wignall had a 25 break when beating Bernard Bolton 72-33 to prevent the whitewash.

Division Five champions Walton-le-Dale Cons look like repeating that performance in Division Four.

They whitewashed visitors St Joseph's, with Brian Taylor's 93-33 win over Waine Louis the best performance in another powerful team effort.

In Division Five, Lea B took maximum points from visitors Salwick.

But despite this win, they are still six points adrift of leaders Leyland & Farington, who beat visitors Lostock Cons B 6-1.

Tomorrow night's matches bring to a close the first half of the 22-week season.

But teams successful in the first round of the St Bernard's- sponsored six-man team knockout play their second-round matches next Wednesday, December 10.