DEFEATS for both Basingstoke Town’s Spades and Howard Park A has left the Whitchurch Bowls League Division One title race wide open going into the final week of matches.

Town lost away at Old Basing 51-49 and Park at Littleton 52-39 leaving them going into the final matches with half point between them.

The defeat loss has also brought Oakley Buzzards back into contention as they lie 5.5 points adrift with two matches to play.

Hyde Abbey A finished their season with a win against Andover B 55-45 but are still relegated. Buzzards beat already relegated Alton 49-42.

All three leaders in Division Two won, keeping their chances of promotion alive.

Whitchurch Yellows on 55.5 points beat Hook Hares 73-31, Andover A on 52 points overcame Hyde Abbey B 55-40 and Town’s Diamonds on 51.5 points saw off Marnell Blues 63-46.

In a rearranged game, Marnell Blues beat Hook Hares 56-46 pushing the Hares close to relegation.

Division Three leaders St Mary Bourne Eagles and Old Basing Roundheads are both promoted following wins against Oakley Kingfishers 79-35 and Basingstoke Jokers 61-30 respectively.

Jokers with three matches in hand should avoid relegation.

Oakley Woodpeckers are promoted from Division Four following their win over Kingsclere Pheasants by one shot 45-44.

The Basingstoke and District League has virtually finished with Oakley taking the trophy following their 63-44 win at Whitchurch.

Kingsclere are runners-up having beaten Howard Park 67-44 and Alton Social will finish third with one game to play.

Old Basing and Andover have been relegated and their places next year will be taken by Alton and St Mary Bourne.

The Thursday League at the semi-final stage as AWRE B beat Alton Social 54-43, St Mary Bourne were 53-52 winners over Hawley 53-52, Cove overcame Whitchurch 53-49 and Hook Saphires beat Howard Park A 52-37. AWRE will now play Cove and St Mary Bourne will play Hook on Thursday September 1 with the final on September with the venue to be advised.