CHIPPENHAM SUNDAY LEAGUE: SUTTON Benger were forced to switch their game to the home of opponents Somerford and were rewarded with a 2-1 success which came after five straight defeats in Division Two of the Vanitec Computers-sponsored Chippenham League.

In an open game which saw plenty of chances at either end it was Somerford who took the lead midway through the first half when a left wing cross was poked home from 12 yards by John Goad.

Benger hit straight back and after Ian Dawkins' free kick smacked against the crossbar Nick Slade tapped home the rebound.

The second half was dominated by Benger who had lots of possession and missed some gilt edged chances. It looked as though a draw was on the cards until Mark Merriman latched onto a through ball and was scythed down in the area. Up stepped Ian Dawkins who hit the ball straight at the keeper but it squirmed under him and into the net. Benger saw out the game comfortably and should have finished the game with a third had they had there shooting boots on.

Leaders Corsham Centre stretched their winning run to 16 games as they maintained their 100 per cent record with an emphatic 12-0 victory over bottom of the table Roadrunners.

James Lye and Craig Gingell hit hat tricks and Kevin Brown, Simon Gray, Luke Denham, Liam Ralph, Jack Nicholas, who hit a thunderbolt from 35 yards, and Jonathan Bartlett, who scored his first goal for two seasons with a screamer from 25 yards, added singles that took Centre's goals for tally to 102.

Ben Grinham, Tim Knight (penalty) and substitute John Knight found the net for Spencer Sports who defeated Christian Malford 3-1. Scott Evans replied for Malford to take his tally for the season to 29.

Premier Division

AS the race for the Premier Division champions crown hots up, things are also becoming interesting at the bottom.

With Calne Town already relegated, Hullavington's 3-2 reverse at home to All Cannings leaves them above the drop, just two points clear of Winsley who also lost their home clash with near neighbours Bradford News.

After a goal-less first half Charlie Collier tapped home for Cannings to break the deadlock. Goals from Darren Legg and Craig Samuels put the home side 2-1 up but Collier then set Nick Oram up for Cannings' equaliser and Tony Greenidge hit the winner from the penalty spot after a foul on Nick Oram to earn Cannings a 3-2 victory.

Westbury Rangers A dropped a vital point in their attempt to keep in the race for the title by drawing 1-1 with West Lavington. Both sides were denied by the woodwork, with Michael O'Donnell hitting the bar for Lavington while Paul Beavers and Marc Lanfear saw efforts crash off the frame of the goal for Rangers.

After a goal-less 45minutes, defender turned attacker Ross Parker put Rangers in front and that looked to be enough to maintain Rangers' challenge at the top until Toby Ireson headed home Lavington's equaliser in the 89th minute.

Dog and Fox Ashley were held for 48 minutes in their game with bottom of the table Calne Town but once Steve Roddy found the net for the Dog, goals came at regular intervals. Mark Gerrish found the mark in the 55th, 60th and 70th minutes to complete a well taken treble. Substitute Nick Gerrish added goal number five 10 minutes from time to earn the Dog a 5-0 victory that made it nine wins from their last 10 games for the Bradford based team.

Division One

BIDDESTONE Social, who were without a game, remain firm favourites to lift the title, but the race for the runners-up spot looks likely to be between Maud Heath Sports and Trowbridge Harriers after both sides recorded wins, over respective opponents The George Lacock and Wingfield.

An understrength Lacock side were unable to repeat the form of last November when they beat the Sports 2-1. Goals from Alistair Duncan (2), Dean Slade (2, one a penalty) and Justin King saw Andy Townsend's side reverse the score with ease as they ran out easy 5-0 victors.

The Horse and Groom inflicted Chippenham Sports and Social Club with a third consecutive defeat. Paul Bendell's side overpowered the Sports 8-1 with Bendell leading the rout with four goals. Tarick Yachou (2) Paul Vought and Paul Aland shared the others and Gary Blackwood replied for the Sports.

West End Wanderers found Chippenham Police goalkeeper Martin Notman in great form. Wanderers threw everything they had at the Police but were unable to find away past Notman until their player-manger Nathan Mantle introduced himself into the game with only five minutes remaining. Mantle's impact was instant as he scored the only goal of the game with his first touch to earn Wanderers a 1-0 win which moved them above the Police at the foot of the table.

Division Three

COOPER-AVON'S 4-3 defeat at home to Sir Audley's Arms condemned them to relegation.

Steve Mallard opened the scoring for the Arms with a well-taken free kick. Mallard doubled the advantage with a shot that was deflected home by Bruce Newman before Andy Morrison pulled one back for the tyremen.

Stuart Shipway, in his first game back after a four month suspension, struck to restore the Arms' two goal lead only for Andy Morrison to level matters with a double to complete his hat trick. Steve Mallard sealed the Arms' win when with 10 minutes to go he finished the scoring with his third goal.

Parsons Nose 6-2 victory over Westbury Rangers B coupled with the Hare and Hounds 4-2 loss at Bradstone Rovers means that the Nose and the Four Seasons have gained promotion to Division Two.

The only question that remains to be answered is who of the two sides will go up as champions. Wayne Bailey was in awesome form for the Melksham side as he hit all six of their goals as they overturned a 2-1 half-time deficit to run out easy winners. Sam Gooding and Dave Jones were Rangers' hit men.

Bradstone Rovers were 4-0 up at the break in their game with the Hare and Hounds as goals from Andy Starolosky (2), Alan Eades and Kelvin Dickinson (penalty) put them in the driving seat. The Hounds turned around in the second half and with the wind in their favour they pulled goals back with a brace from Niall McLean plus a single from Tim Wootton. No matter how hard they tried they were unable to find an equaliser and suffered a 4-3 reverse at the final whistle.

A Steve Munday double was unable to prevent Trowbridge Town Supporters' Club from losing against Corsham Park Rangers, who won 3-2 courtesy of a hat-trick from Gordon Willshire. Referee Mark Sammut had a great game.

Division Four

FC BRADFORD travelled to Calne knowing that a win over North Star B would see them promoted in their very season in the league.

Wayne Duggan's team duly obliged as they battled to a 4-3 victor., Robin Walker (2), Lee Radwell and Mike Embleton were on target for Bradford who extended their winning run to 20 games while North Star replied with two penalties from Rob Vowden plus a James Yates' effort.

Bradford's morning was made complete with the news that Kings Arms, who were the only side that could stop them from claiming the title, had suffered a defeat at second placed Virgin Mobile which sent the champagne corks popping as Bradford become the first team this season to win a title.

Old Road Tavern and Plough were involved in a seven goal thriller that eventually went the way of the Tavern who snatched a 4-3 win thanks to a late strike from Gavin Aplin. Goals from Gary Taylor and Dave Thomas (penalty) put the Plough two up.

Gavin Aplin's long range effort reduced the gap for the Tavern and Rob Dark converted from the penalty spot to tie the score after Aplin had been bought down. The Plough regained the lead when Martin Griffiths headed home but another Rob Dark penalty restored parity once more. Just as it looked as if the teams would share the points Aplin crashed home his winner from 20 yards. The Plough pushed forward looking for an equaliser and were unlucky not to find it through Craig Bennett who hit the post in the final seconds of the game.

Fascia Graphics became the first team this season to complete their fixtures and were happy with their 1-1 draw against White Horse FC.

James Bagnell's opener for the Horse was eventually wiped out by Jamie Farquharson who prior to scoring had blasted a penalty over the bar.

Fascia thought that they had won the game when Anthony Brown headed home with time running out but to the disappointment of his team-mates the goal was ruled out for offside.