THE previous five seasons have seen two-horse races, this year it will be three, as Hales Hopefuls beat Hales Ants 6-4 in the Beccles and District League, which is being sponsored by Alan Cook Accommodations and Woodton King's Head.

THE previous five seasons have seen two-horse races, this year it will be three, as Hales Hopefuls beat Hales Ants 6-4 in the Beccles and District League, which is being sponsored by Alan Cook Accommodations and Woodton King's Head.

The achievement came when each Hopefuls team member contributed towards the result before a very close doubles saw Aaron Hacon and Jason Peck beat Adrian Key and Barney Garrod 11-21, 21-18, 24-22. Garrod on song earlier as he beat each opponent in two legs.

The Hopefuls also had a solid 8-2 win over Hales Gnats, with Hacon and Peck scoring maximums. The Gnats were also beaten by Ants 9-1, where Garrod was matched by Phil Moore with a treble. Gordon Howes secured Gnats' only triumph by beating Key 21-16, 21-16.

In Division One, Woodton Magpies lead the way following a close 6-4 win over Hales Eagles, whose Tony Broadberry was in fine form as he comfortably beat all three opponents. The Magpies also drew with Nutters 5-5, with Barry Fortune scoring a maximum.

The Nutters beat The Gull 7-3, but again a player from the defeated team won all his games - Mario Iacovacco.

The re-arranged Knock-Out Cup match between Hales Gnats and Hales Ants has also been played, with Ants emerging victorious by 22 points. Ants now play Rejects away, while Gnats travel to Hopefuls in the plate competition.