Last week the Bolton Table Tennis League took a break from league matches to play the quarterfinals of all the cup competitions. Inevitably there were teams that found themselves victims of their own success as they had to appear in two cups and deferment of play to a later week became necessary.

It was the Warburton Cup for teams in all Divisions that lost out the most. Of the four matches, only one thing was certain. Hilton C were unable to field a team and their opponents Meadow Ben C were given a walkover into the next round.

In the Brian Gittins Cup for the Premier Division and Division One, all four matches were to have results. It would appear that the Premier teams had the upper hand despite the handicaps. The Premier Leagues Wharton were drawn against Ramsbottom Town D from Division One who had a 79.5 start. However, Wharton were able to overcome the handicap winning out 406 – 357.5. Robert Jackson was able to win all his twelve games and Barry Elliott with eleven helped them achieve the win.

Burning Desire at the bottom of the Premier Division played Hilton E from Division One who had a 107.5 start. However, Burning Desire overpowered Hilton 398 – 310.5. Brett Haslam and Ben Armstrong won all twelve of their games with Dennis Collier on eleven.

Flixton Cricket Club A from the Premier were drawn against Hilton B of Division One who had 100.5 point start. Again it was the Premier team that took the match 399 – 328.5. Steven Scowcroft was unbeaten and Phil Biggs plus Jake Shaw only dropped one of their twelve games.

Farnworth SC A due to still being involved in two cups gave a walkover to Ramsbottom Town A into the semi-finals.

In the George Yates Shield for Divisions Two and Three, there was a home Derby between Farnworth SC D in Division Three and their own B team in Division Two. The D team had a 350.5 start, but the B team hung on winning 361 – 350.5 largely helped by Martyn Garnett on twelve games and Jimmy Tunn only dropping the one game.

Brass Zone in Division Two were drawn against Bolton TTC B in their own division. Brass made good use of their 30.5 start. In a competitive match with results swinging both ways Brass ran out winners 337.5 – 321.

Two Division two teams met. Meadow Ben B had a 30.5 start against Ladybridge B. They did not need it as they won 395.5 – 319 on the night.

Polonia Club B had a 72.5 start but were unable to just hang on to it losing out to Hilton F 357 – 350.5.