THE match of the week in Division Three of the Bradford League was the clash of the top two – and leaders Hermits G were stunned 6-4 at home to Baildon A.

Hermits had won all their five previous matches, so Baildon needed a victory to lift them within touching distance.

It looked like business as usual for the pace-setters after they lost the opening set as they opened up a 3-1 lead, with Martin Jackson taking care of Jerry Harkawy and Peter Warner while Terry Halliday edged past Chris Willey 11-8 in the fifth game.

But Baildon then produced a stunning burst of five sets in a row to consign Hermits to their first defeat.

Willey beat both Azim Afzal and Jackson, with Harkawy logging wins over Halliday and Afzal while Warner also beat Halliday.

Division One leaders Embassy-Police A were given their toughest test so far when they took on the young guns of Hermits A.

Police had conceded just five sets in winning their first four matches but the Hermits trio pushed them all the way.

Sam Clayton was impressive for Hermits as he overcame Peter Clarkson and Tim Dyson – and with Matthew Stephens also beating Clarkson, Hermits were level at 3-3.

John Chew was also in fine form for the leaders and he won a crucial seventh set against Clayton 11-9 in the fifth game before Dyson made it 5-3 against Stephens.

Matthew Shaw took the last singles for Hermits but the leaders prevailed 6-4 as Dyson and Clarkson took a tight doubles to maintain their 100 per cent start.

Division One: Fastbats A 1 Yeadon A 9, Embassy-Police A 9 Dewsbury Tog B 1, Yeadon A 4 Highdale A 6, Hermits B 4 Yeadon A 6, Hermits A 4 Embassy-Police A 6. Division Two: Fastbats B 4 Hermits D 6, Unity A 3 Highdale B 7, Yeadon B 6 Fastbats B 4, Hermits D 6 Hermits E 4. Division Three: Pudsey B 8 Rastrick 2, Hermits F 8 Hermits H 2, Hermits G 4 Baildon A 6, Hermits I 2 Pudsey B 8. Division Four: Hermits M 4 Hermits K 6, Hermits J 9 Hermits L 1, Baildon D 6 Hermits M 4, Baildon B 7 Hermits K 3.