BADMINTON: HARDENHUISH A have retained the Division One title in the Mid-Wilts Badminton League after beating Freshford 9-0 to post an unassailable lead of 36 points with one match to play.

In Mixed Division Two St Georges have done the same after beating Stonar 9-0 away to leave them 23 points clear with two matches to play.

The remainder of the divisions are still undecided, but Chippenham 23 took a big step in the ladies' competition after they beat Calne 4-2 at home to leave them 14 points clear of Hardenhuish who have two matches in hand.

Freshford maintained their lead in the Men's Division One after beating bottom club Bradford Penmoor 7-2 away. They lead with 53 points from six matches followed by Hardenhuish who have 37 points from four matches.

In the semi-final of the knockout cup Phoenix A beat Corsham 264 points to 235 to set up a final against Calne B. Phoenix had to play steady badminton to try and claw back the 140 point handicap. The two Phoenix ladies, Kerry Matthews and Sue Long, kept their games down to small scoring, conceding just 18 and 16 points respectively, so that when the final two pairs in the mixed went on court Phoenix led by just six points with the match being decided between Phoenix's Gareth Hembrough and Kerry Matthews and Corsham's Muriel Moore and Steven Bird.

Hembrough and Matthews won 15-7, 15-0 to give Phoenix victory by 29 points.