Week five in the Andover Pool League saw the gap closed at the top of the Premier Division.

Paul Hughes’ side took on The Arms as they looked to extend their lead however they could only manage a 5-4 win.

This meant the Arms A and Queen Charlotte could close the gap and both obliged as Sean Curtis’ side won 7-2 at home to Central and Jez Taylor stood in to oversee at 7-2 win for the Charlotte against the ‘FD.

Royal Oak moved above their opponents with a 5-4 win over Clatford, and in the battle of the Charlotte, the Demons who came out on top with a 6-3 win over the QCC’s.

Battle Stations continued their run of impressive performances with a 9-0 demolition of bottom side Arms ‘n’ Legs, though they weren’t the only side handing out whitewashes as Anton Harts made child’s play of the QC Beebies.

Billy Hewlett’s side were dominant throughout and gained revenge for last season’s cup whitewash.

The Fatties kept up the pace as they won 5-4 at home to the Prince. Elsewhere the Angels of Luck and Hurstbourne RBL both bounced back with 7-2 wins over the Shire and The Folly respectively.

Wooly B52’s held a slim advantage on top of Division 2 as they cruised to a 7-2 win over Central Mankinis. New Street FC were hot on their tail as they overcame Anton Decs 7-2 to move within a point. New Street Masters continued to struggle as they slumped to defeat away at Wolversdene Warriors and Merlin Massive moved third with a 7-2 win at Dave Adamson’s Folly Flyers.

Ploughin On remained rooted to the bottom of Division 3 as they went down 8-1 to the Central Hedgehogs. Hurstbourne RBL B stayed top after they edged a close game 5-4 against the HBT Players while Wyke Down moved off the bottom with 5-4 win over Dirty Angels, and Plougher Rangers moved into second with a 6-3 win over Global Warriors.

Wyke Down ‘n’ Outs continued their impressive start with another win as they downed Lamb Chops B 6-3 to go five clear of Lamb Chops A who were yet to declare their result.

Slippery Strangers slipped up again, this time losing to Clatford Arms 7-2 and in the league’s other match, the Swallow Wreck Heads remained close to the bottom after a 7-2 loss away at Arms Snipers.

Division 5 saw the top two lose as Foresters Chess Club lost 6-3 away at Chute Club Saints who claimed their first win and Kings and Queens went down 5-4 at home to Station Phoenix.

Newcomers Barbarians were unlucky not to claim their first win when they went down to Bev Summers’ Play Station.

The other game saw Town Mills Touching Cloth win 5-4 at home to Central Saints.