HERMITS C climbed into second place in Division Two of the Bradford League following a see-saw encounter at Yeadon B.

Peter Holbrook emerged as the unlikely Hermits hero as the sides shared the spoils in a thrilling finish.

Hermits led 2-0 and 4-2, with Holbrook enjoying wins over Chris Sanderson and Martin Ashworth, while Shamir Bose and Andrew Braithwaite both overcame Derek Greenwood.

The Yeadon duo of Sanderson and Ashworth both won twice as Yeadon got back on level terms at 4-4 but Holbrook completed an impressive treble in the last singles against Greenwood as Hermits pushed for victory.

Yet Sanderson and Ashworth ensured that honours were even as they pipped Holbrook and Braithwaite 11-9 in the fifth.

Fastbats B became the first team to topple runaway leaders Pudsey A in the last match before the Christmas break but they were unable to repeat that performance at Hermits D.

This was another close contest which went to the wire, with Ian Warner the pivotal figure for Hermits.

The sides were level at 4-4 as Warner and Paul Mckrieth took two wins each for Hermits.

Helen Shields was in fine form for Fastbats and she had wins over Mckrieth and Zarnab Jamal, while Keith Smith and Neil Foley both overcame Jamal.

In the last singles, the unbeaten players squared up and Warner came from 2-1 down to stop Shields. He then joined Mckrieth to seal a 6-4 victory with a 3-1 doubles verdict.

RESULTS – Division One: Dewsbury Tog B 3 Embassy Police A 7, Hermits A 9 Embassy Police B 1, Highdale A 8 Yeadon A 2, Hermits B 2 Dewsbury Tog A 8. Division Two: Fastbats B 6 Pudsey A 4, Yeadon B 5 Hermits C 5, Hermits D 6 Fastbats B 4, Pudsey A 8 Hermits E 2. Division Three: Pudsey B 7 Unity B 3, Hermits H 1 Hermits G 9, Rastrick 2 Pudsey B 8, Hermits G 9 Hermits F 1, Hermits I 3 Baildon A 7. Division Four: Hermits K 7 Hermits M 3.