DIVISION Three leaders Hermits G are well clear at the top but just cannot defeat second-placed Baildon A in the Bradford League.

Baildon triumphed 6-4 to inflict the first setback for Hermits in the first half of the season and victory once again eluded the leaders in the return fixture.

Tim Williams was the catalyst for Baildon as they built up a 4-2 lead, notching wins over Les Packer and Martin Jackson, while Chris Willey and Peter Warner won once each.

Hermits levelled at 4-4 as Jackson won twice, with Packer and Terry Halliday adding one victory each, but Williams completed an impressive treble to put Baildon back in front. It then needed success in the doubles for Hermits to salvage a 5-5 draw.

In Division One, Yeadon A and Hermits B were once again involved in a see-saw contest. Yeadon pipped Hermits 6-4 earlier in the season and it was a similar outcome as they met again.

Mark Bleakley led from the front for Yeadon as they went 4-1 up, beating Andy Braithwaite and Fazal Hussain, while Laing Wong edged a crucial 20-18 fifth-game victory over Kevin Pickles, as well as a straight-game win over Braithwaite.

Hermits hit back with three wins in a row but Bleakley proved their undoing as he finished unbeaten with victory over Pickles in the last singles and then joined Wong to seal another 6-4 success with a 3-1 doubles triumph.

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