Three resounding victories helped St Aidans-Leigh retain their Ladies Premier Division crown with a game to spare in the Southend and District Badminton League.

A maximum from Westcliff's Crompton/Norris failed to prevent Saints from securing a 6-3 home win, before Fitzwimarc, who have suffered a disappointing season, became Saints' double victims.

Fitz lost 8-1 at home to the rampant Saints (N Harrison/ J Harrison, Barber/Forsyth), before suffering a 9-0 away loss (N Harrison/J Harrison, Barber/ Scrace, Emerson/ Tatum) in the return.

And still licking their wounds, Fitz also endured further hardship at the hands of Westcliff, going down 8-1 away (Cromp-ton/Norris, Chambers/Clough-ton).

Any hopes second placed Canvey had of catching St Aidans-Leigh vanished when they dropped a point at home to Eastwood in a 5-4 win (Mooney/ Mugwanya).

Rayleigh Park extended their unbeaten run in Division One to five games with an impressive 7-2 away success over Great Wakering (Miller/Venables).

Westcliff seconds have a slender one point lead at the top of the table following a 9-0 triumph over Hawkwell (Harrison/ Bryant, Cosgrove/Thornett, Emptage/Keeble) and a 7-2 win over Great Wakering (Cosgrove/ Thornett). Rayleigh Park, however, have the edge over the leaders having played one game less.

Division Two is all set to go down to the wire before the championship is decided, with only one point separating the top two teams, Fitzwimarc second and Belle Vue.

With Belle Vue recording a fine 5-4 away success at top dogs Fitz, despite the home team's Tubbs/Stubbington taking all three rubbers, maximum points from their last two games will see them lift the title.

But Fitzwimarc recovered from their home defeat against Belle Vue to brush aside Phoenix 8-1 (O'Brien/Scarfe, Tubbs/Woodcock) to ensure an exiting end to the season.

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