WITH just the A Section playing this week in the Bury and District Open League, the spotlight was on the top of the table as second-placed Bury Snooker D hosted table-toppers Tottington Con D.

Bury had to win to stay in touch with the leaders and Mark Turner got them off to the perfect start with a comfortable 81-25 frame win.

Tottington hit back winning the next two tight frames but that was as close as they came as Bury sealed the final three frames to take the match 6-2.

Elton Lib B moved into third after taking a tight match at Whitefield B. Elton won 7-2 but it could have gone either way as the aggregate was taken by a solitary point.

Another tight match took place at Salisbury as they shared the points with Huntley A. Huntley took four frames but fine wins from Jimmy Morrison and Jason Smith ensured Salisbury just took the aggregate and the match finished 4-4.

The points were also shared equally when Fishpool entertained Bury Snooker B. Again, the away team took four frames, but Simon Fitzsimmons produced the goods in the final frame to win 112-76 and secure the vital aggregate points for the hosts.

Radcliffe Central A just saw off Buchanans A 5-3 at home in a tight match with three black-ball frames. Although the frames were shared, Radcliffe just took the aggregate to take the spoils.

The league is, meanwhile, mourning the death of Dave Long who passed away on January 14 after battling cancer. Long was a talented player who competedin the league for the best part of 40 years representing Elton Conservative Club, Elton Liberal Club and latterly Walshaw Conservative Club. He leaves a wife, Sue, and three sons, Andrew, Jason and Christopher. A league spokesman said: “The league would like to extend its deepest sympathy at this time.”