UNITY E and Baildon B were involved in a marathon Division Three encounter in the Bradford League – and it proved a classic match of two halves with honours even at the finish.

Baildon had the better of the first half, with John Atkinson recording wins over Peter Jackson and Hughie Chambers.

Steve Crossland and Richard Stanley were also on the mark for Baildon, beating Chambers and Jackson respectively.

Michael Walker replied for Unity, although he only edged past Stanley at 11-9 in the fifth, but Baildon were sitting pretty at 4-1 up.

Walker then began the Unity recovery against Crossland and the last four sets all went the distance.

Chambers overcame Stanley 12-10 in the fifth to make it 4-3 and Walker completed his treble against Atkinson to level the match.

Unity led for the first time when Jackson got home at 13-11 in the decider against Crossland, with Baildon not having much luck in the close finishes.

And when Atkinson and Stanley were 2-0 down in the doubles against Walker and Jackson, they were staring at defeat.

Yet a fitting finish ensued when the Baildon pair took the last three games 11-9, 11-8, 11-9 to conclude a fine contest.

In Division One, Unity B and Yeadon B were both looking for their first victory of the season – and Steve Whittaker starred for Unity, who had the better of proceedings.

Whittaker finished unbeaten, while Craig Priestley and Dave Renton took two each in a 7-3 home success.

Division One: Unity B 7 Hermits B 3, Yeadon A 10 Unity C 0, Unity B 7 Yeadon B 3, Hermits C 4 Unity C 6, Dewsbury Sedbergh 9 Pudsey A 1, Embassy-Police B 1 Highdale A 9, Yeadon B 2 Embassy-Police A 8.

Division Two: Pudsey B 0 Fastbats A 10, Unity D 0 Highdale B 10, Hermits H 8 Fastbats B 2, Embassy-Police C 8 Hermits F 2, Hermits D 10 Hermits I 0, Hermits E 7 Rastrick 3.

Division Three: Unity E 5 Baildon B 5, Baildon A 10 Baildon D 0, Hermits J 10 Hermits N 0.