IT is all opening up in the race for the Premiership title after Swan A (Rad) went down to their first defeat of the season.

They won their game in hand, a 6-2 victory over Masons A, but were then hammered on their first visit to Staff of Life B, by the same margin.

Roach A, made their intentions known with a great 5-3 victory against top of the table Hamers Arms which moves them up into fifth place in the league just behind the Swan A (Bury) whose 5-3 away win over fancied Last Orders pushes the latter down to sixth place.

In the first division, wins for Old White Horse, Victoria Hotel and the Roach B, cemented the first three places in the league while the George and Dragon lost at Bridge Tavern A, by five games to a three and now hold fourth position.

Hare and Hounds in the second division move up two places in the league after their 5-3 away win at Pleasant View, but who is going to stop Fairfield Inn, whose seven victories and a draw have opened up a six point lead over their nearest rivals at the top.

A mention here for Famous Gamecock, who had a 5-3 win over rivals Old Tower. After a shaky start to the season are now finding some form.

Only Robin Hood out of the top three teams managed to win their game in the third division and now lead by two points over Thrush, who managed only a draw on their visit to Turf A (Bury).

With their 5-3 win away to Swan B (Rad), Rose & Crown B (Bury) now take over third position in the league.

Swan B (Bury), of the fourth division after their 5-3 victory over the Bridge Tavern B, now head the division by two points taking over from Jolly Waggoners A, who did not have a game, while second place goes to the up and coming The Brandlesholme, who jumped three places after their 5-3 victory at Welcome B.

After a 5-3 reversal at the fancied Globe, Dungeon B, were knocked off their top position dropping three places while Dusty Miller maintained their winning streak with a 6-2 win over the New Inn B, cementing their second position.

Top of the league at the moment are White Boar B, whose impressive win at Church B (Bell Lane), by seven games to one gives them an aggregate advantage of only one game, making the return fixture against the Dusty Miller, on July 27, a mammoth game.

Masons Arms B, visited table topping Swan & Railway B, and came away with a great draw but that did not knock the latter from the top. Beehive B, after a 5-3 victory over the Church Inn (L/L), take second place only two points from the top of the sixth division. Wins for bottom two clubs, Woolpack (Rad) and Spotted Cow, close the gap on their rivals.

Will all captains please note and arrange representation at the committee meeting which will be held at the headquarters on Monday, July 5, commencing at 8pm, when entries for the mixed pairs and ladies singles must be submitted together with the last instalment of subscriptions.