LEADERS Riley A beat second-placed Fieldside 2-1 to stay firm favourites to land the Division 1 title.

Matthew Challen (+30) got Riley A off to a good start with victory over Norman Woodcock (+70) 200-161.

Paul Robinson (-60) levelled when he beat Allan Copelin (+90) 200-184, but Malcolm Bough (+50) won the match for Riley when he ended Mike Chapman’s unbeaten run to triumph 150-135.

The success puts Riley a point clear at the top of the table, but with a game in hand over their rivals.

Three of the remaining four matches ended in whitewashes.

New Club kept alive their slim title hopes with a 3-0 victory over basement boys Oracle.

In Division 2, leaders Ashton were thumped 3-0 by second-placed CCC B, who close to within a point with a match in hand.

Riley B, from Division 2, beat top-flight Thame 3-0, with CCC A beating HCC A 2-1 in the other match.

RESULTS HCC A 1, CCC A 2; Fieldside 1, Riley A 2; New Club 3, Oracle 0; CCC B 3, Ashton 0; Riley B 3, Thame 0.