by David Spencer

THE first major battle of the top teams in the Wirral Badminton League Premier Division saw a weakened Cheshire Oaks play an exhausting thriller at local rivals Millbrook, but once again the leaders showed they will be tough to beat this year.

The top men's doubles lasted for a full two hours, with Alan Clarkson and Craig Young taken to an exhausting third set by Tim Cope and Robert Lark before triumphing 15-13 to set up the Oaks for a 6-2 overall win.

In the South competitions, Capenhurst Vauxhall came up trumps in the Division top-of-the-table battle against Irby and moved ahead of their close rivals thanks to a 6-2 win. Division Two leaders Rock Ferry were held to a 4-4 draw at St Catherine's to give Hilbre a chance to close the gap, which they took in their match at Upton Victory Hall with a 6-2 victory to go joint top.

Barnston recorded a 7-1 win at Upton Victory Hall in Division Three to remind the West Kirby youngsters, 8-0 winners at St Andrew's (New Brighton) that there are unbeaten records still standing, while Oval and Wallaby, the other contenders in this division, contested an unfinished 3-2 match. The visitors were ahead when the 10pm Oval curfew was imposed - a reminder to all sides that prompt starts are essential.

In the North leagues, BNFL, runaway leaders in Division One, arrived a man short at Wallasey St James, but still went away with the points and a 5-3 victory. DL Cheshire Oaks are also still unbeaten, notching a useful 5-3 win at Claremount In Division Two, St Peter's joined Upton Victory Hall at the top with their third win from three, triumphing 6-2 at Neston.

RESULTS (up to and including November 6): Premier League: Millbrook/EPYC 2, D Cheshire Oaks 6; St Peter's 4, Rock Ferry 4; Wallasey St James 'B' 1, Millbrook/EPYC 7. Division One North: Wallasey St James 3, BNFL 5; Barnston 6, Moreton/Seacombe 2; Irby 'A' 6, Capenhurst Vauxhall 2; Claremount 'A' 3, DL Cheshire Oaks 6. Division Two North: Neston 2, St Peter's 6; Wallaby 6, Moreton/Seacombe 2; Neston 5, Peninsula 3. Division Three North: Irby 'B' 4, St Catherine's 4; St Andrew's, Meols 6, Wexford 2; St James 7, Upton VH 'B' 1; Wexford 7, Upton Victory Hall 'B' 1. Division One South: Capenhurst Vauxhall 6, Irby 2; Moreton/Seacombe 2, Neston 6. Division Two South: St Catherine's 4, Rock Ferry 4; St Andrew's, Meols 6, Port Sunlight 2; Upton VH 'A' 2, Hilbre 6. Division Three South: Barnston 'B' 4, Wallaby 4; Wallaby 5, Upton VH 'B' 3; Oval 2, Wallaby 3; Upton VH 'B' 1, Barnston 'B' 7; St Andrew's, New Brighton 0, West Kirby 8.

Next week is Knock-out Cup week with the first stages of the three competitions all being played. Full draw and match handicaps:-

Birkenhead Cup (1st Rd): St Peter's (scr) v DL Cheshire Oaks 'B' (+6); DL Cheshire Oaks 'A' (scr 1h gh) v Irby (+12); Barnston (+12) v Wallasey St James 1 (scr 1h); Neston (scr) v Moreton/Seacombe 'B' (+12); Moreton/Seacombe 'A' (scr) v Capenhurst Vauxhall (+6); BNFL (scr) v Wallasey St James (+3); St Andrew's, Meols (scr) v Claremount (+10). Bye: Rock Ferry.

Wallasey Cup (1st Rd): Rock Ferry (scr) v St Catherine's (+12); West Kirby (scr) v St Andrew's, New Brighton (+12); Wexford (scr) v St Andrew's, Meols (+6); Upton Victory Hall (scr) v Port Sunlight (+4); Hilbre (scr) v Barnston (+8). Bye: St James. Wallasey Cup (2nd Rd): Seaview (+14) v Oval (scr).

Hoylake Cup (1st Rd): Claremount (+3) v Oval (scr); St Andrew's, Meols (+9) v St Peter's (scr). Hoylake Cup (2nd Rd): Irby/Beresford (+9) v Upton Victory Hall (scr); Rock Ferry (scr) v Moreton/Seacombe (+7); St Catherine's (scr) v St James (+6).