HIGHDALE B are still seeking their first victory in Division One of the Bradford League – after coming close to achieving their goal at mid-table Hermits B.

The Highdale team have suffered five defeats from six matches in what is proving a very tough section for them.

They looked on course to break that duck at Hermits, with George Bak, Phil Mann and Geoff Barnes all on the mark as they led 3-1 and 4-3.

But Ian Warner and Andy Braithwaite bagged two wins each as Hermits hit back to level the match at 4-4.

The last singles saw Warner take a 2-0 lead against Bak, who then won the next two to force a decider, only for Warner to take it 11-8 and complete his treble.

But Highdale did at least salvage a draw as Bak and Mann won the doubles rubber in straight games.

Elsewhere it is very congested at the top end of the Division Three table. Unbeaten Pudsey are on pole position but only six points separate the next five teams – and two of them were in opposition as Fastbats D hosted Thornbury.

The visitors started well as Kaleem Afzal and David Wilson beat Richard Knowles and Owen Li respectively.

But Fastbats hit back to take five of the next six points, with Colin Priestley and Li both picking up two while Knowles added a single.

Wilson claimed took all three for Thornbury but Fastbats emerged 6-4 winners as Priestley and Li receovered from 2-0 down to secure the doubles at 11-9 in the deciding game.

RESULTS – Division One: Pudsey A 5, Highdale A 5; Fastbats B 4, Dewsbury Sedbergh 6; Unity B 6, Fastbats B 4; Dewsbury Tog 2, Embassy-Police A 8; Fastbats A 4, Yeadon A 6; Highdale A 8, Dewsbury Tog 2; Hermits B 5, Highdale B 5.

Division Two: Yeadon B 9, Hermits D 1; Unity D 10, Hermits E 0; Laisterdyke B 1, Hermits C 9; Hermits D 8, Fastbats C 2; Hermits F 0, Laisterdyke A 10; Embassy-Police C 2, Unity C 8.

Division Three: Hermits J 1, Baildon B 9; Pudsey B 7, Bradford College 3; Baildon D 4, Unity E 6; Fastbats D 6, Thornbury 4; Fastbats E 6, Hermits K 4; Hermits l 0, Hermits H 10; Hermits I 9, Baildon C 1.