HOLMAR C and Maccabi D made it through to the semi-finals of the Dwyer Cup with wins against Ramsbottom TT Academy and ELPM D.

The handicap competition pits teams from all five divisions in the Bury and District Table Tennis League.

Sheldon Lee was the star for reigning champions Maccabi D, who won their quarter final 541-453 after starting the match with a 94-point advantage.

Holmar C made it through after being given a 59-point start thanks to consistent play from Royston Steventon and Jack Berry, taking the tie 560-510.

The teams that lost in the first round of the Dwyer Cup went on to play in the Sponsors Cup.

Prestwich G made it through to the semi-finals after holding off a strong challenge from St Phillip’s to win 500-480.

St Phillip’s had to claw back a 190-point handicap, meaning they would have had to recover 20 points a set. Wins from Sean Toland, Dennis Collier and Brett Haslam were not enough as Prestwich kept the scores tight.

SP Carlton clawed back 100 points at Maccabi B, but it was not to be as they eventually lost out 485-455.

Rob Clayton was the star for Maccabi, earning a draw against Dave Holden.

Carlton Club C snatched the victory over Shawfield B in the last set, overturning a 29-point handicap to win the match 479-477. Keith Cheyne took a 28-point advantage for Carlton into the final set, but was almost pegged back by Wayne Ellis.

Polish Catholic Club proved too resilient for Prestwich C. Their 82-point advantage. was whittled down to 24, and despite winning just three sets, they held out to take the tie 563-539.

A busy week also included the league’s five divisional cups competitions.

In the First Division trophy – the Macdonald Cup – Prestwich B failed to hang on to a 94-point advantage, losing out 480-478 to Carlton Club A, with Ian Quinn the star for Carlton.

Prestwich A had better luck against the club’s C team, stretching a three-point handicap to win comfortably, 566-501.

A 115-point gap was just too much for Radcliffe Cricket Club to make up over Burning Desire, who ran out 468-431 winners, despite losing all nine sets.

St Philip’s made it through to the semis with a 10-point win over Little Lever. Dennis Collier, Sean Toland and Dave Smith were victors.

In the Poytress Cup, ELPM A stretched their 30-point handicap over Prestwich E, winning eight of the nine sets to earn a comfortable victory, 599-528. Ian Cockcroft and Paul Carter were unbeaten for ELPM.

Prestwich D kept their noses in front to beat Seedfield A. They won two sets, drew one and kept their defeats down to single figures to hold on to a 56-point handicap, winning out 539-517.

Holmar A won their first game of the season, beating SP Carlton 563-542. Phil Wardle, Ian McPherson and David Fletcher held on after starting with a 71-point advantage.

Carlton Vale edged a tight encounter with Carlton Club B, clawing back a seven-point deficit to win 550-547. Chris Sutcliffe won the decisive final set by 22 points to clinch victory.

The Sheldon family, including dad Frank and sons Marc and Daniel, joined forces to help Maccabi B win through to the semi-finals of the Pressman Cup, protecting a 63-point handicap to beat Seedfield B 370-328.

Elton Vale Sports Club B made up a nine-point handicap to beat Shawfield B by 33 points, winning the match 516-483.

Shawfield A stretched their eight-point advantage over Carlton Club C, winning six sets in a 577-494 victory.

Shawfield C and Ramsbottom TT Academy A had to replay their first round Hilton Cup match after drawing the first encounter. Ramsbottom held on to their handicap to win by 36 points, setting up a round two match against Prestwich G.

Division Four leaders Prestwich F handed out a stern lesson to Maccabi E, overturning a 116-point handicap to win through to the semi-finals 433-366.

Shawfield D stretched a 15-point handicap to beat Bury Grammar School Old Boys A 582-529.

Seedfield E lost out 645-610 to Shawfield G in the Lomax Cup.

Two wins for Ashley Landes helped Maccabi G into the semis, overturning a 10-point defecit to beat Seedfield D 521-499.

An understrength Bury Grammar School Old Boys B were beaten 397-288 by Shawfield E, while Wardle’s two players went down 437-277 to Holmar D.