THE Bradford League season is approaching the halfway split, and the top-seven places are up for grabs in the last three weeks.

In Division Three, Baildon B maintained their top-half spot but were given a scare when they entertained Hermits M, who were tenth with just one win so far.

John Atkinson and Steve Crossland won the first two matches against John Rawnsley and Peter Clark but Michael Butler began a Hermits revival with three singles.

Rawnsley overcame Crossland to put Hermits 4-3 ahead, but the home side recovered as Richard Stanley beat Rawnsley and Atkinson was too strong for Clark to put Baildon back in front at 5-4, and they clinched a nervy victory when Atkinson and Crossland overcame Butler and Rawnsley 3-2 for a 6-4 success.

In Division Two, Hermits H and Hermits E are in contention for a top-half spot, and the E team came out on top in their derby, with Peter Eccles taking the individual honours.

Hermits E were always on the front foot, with Eccles winning all his three singles. Malcolm Fowler added two and Tom Sampson supplied a single as they triumphed 7-3 to move into eighth.

The Bradford Closed Championships takes place on Sunday at Keighley Table Tennis Centre (9.30am).

Results – Division One: Hermits A 9 Unity B 1, Yeadon A 7 Highdale A 3, Unity B 6 Unity C 4, Dewsbury Tog 6 Pudsey A 4, Unity A 5 Unity B 5, Unity C 3 Dewsbury Sedbergh 7, Hermits A 7 Hermits B 3, Dewsbury Sedbergh 8 Hermits A 2. Division Two: Hermits H 3 Hermits E 7, Highdale B 10 Hermits G 0, Pudsey B 1 Embassy Police C 9, Fastbats A 10 Unity D 0. Division Three: Hermits K 9 Fastbats D 1, Baildon B 6 Hermits M 4, Hermits N 2 Hermits L 8.