BRADFORD Deaf Centre still have an outside chance of the Bradford Sunday School Billiards League title, but their hopes suffered a potentially critical blow at home to Pudsey.

The league-leading visitors won that top-two clash 4-2, and though they then slid to a 4-2 defeat against Princeville B, they hit back with a 4-2 home win over Princeville A.

That leaves Pudsey seven points clear of Bradford Deaf Centre with just three league matches left to play, even though the latter did bounce back from that aforementioned defeat with wins over Princeville A (4-2) and Princeville B (6-0).

Pudsey are on 36 points, with Bradford Deaf Centre on 29, while the two Princeville teams both have 22.

Princeville A were starting to get cut adrift at the foot of the four-team table, but they hammered Princeville B 6-0 to move level with them on points.

R. Bowes was the individual star over the three games for each side once again, making one incredible break of 63, as well as three others of 36, 33 and 30.

T. Kershaw of Princeville A racked up a fine 50 break, while Pudsey's J. Allan put up two of 44 and 36.

S. Kershaw also had an impressive few games for Princeville B, with breaks of 32, 31 (unf) and 30 on two occasions.

With each team having already played nine times, there are now just three rounds of fixtures to play after Christmas.

Meanwhile, the league is looking for new teams to take part in an experimental three-man team competition on Monday evenings, starting on February 7.

You can find out more details from the league secretary, who can be contacted via his landline on 01274 880996 or via email on stephen_n_joy@hotmail.com