The writing has been on the wall for some weeks but now it is on the trophy after they put themselves out of reach of their nearest rivals Crawley Community A with an emphatic 7-2 victory over them.

As the Premiership went into its 12th week Crawley Community's first team had a chance to make a last stand but again ravaged by injury and unavailability it could only field one of its first choice players they were unable to provide anything above token resistance.

Horsham even had the luxury of deploying one of its reserves, Alan Shipley, who was able to win two of his three in the procession.

Regulars Rory Scott and Ian Ford also set about the depleted Crawley line-up, Ford also managing to put an end to Phil Richardson's impressive 100 percent record.

At the other end of the table Horsham D virtually assured their safety from relegation courtesy of a 5-4 win over bottom placed Copthorne and Maidenbower.

Steve Pound was their star man with a maximum, although Gordon Hall pushed him close.

Tejas Padalkar added the other two, although he fell victim to brace-winning Gary Bristowe who seems to be returning to good form.

Horsham C's nerves will now be on edge as they sunk to being equal bottom place with Copthorne and Maidenbower after losing heavily to a Crawley C bolstered by the return to action of John Hook and Barrie Gilbert.

Gilbert survived a severe five-set examination by Dan Barna to win his three. John Hook added two and so did Raj Waterman in a solid debut.
7-2 was also the scoreline in the match between the Horsham and Crawley Community B teams, in favour of Crawley.

Andy Meads survived from being two sets and 6-2 down in his first match against Alex Morrison to eventually come through as Crawley's maximum man.

Bipin Majithia and Graham Green also won two, although Majithia will be sore from losing out 3-1 to longstanding rival Graham Carter in a classic match of close counter-hitting.

Results: Premier - Crawley B 7 Horsham B 2, Horsham D 5 Cop/Maidenbower 4, Crawley A 2 Horsham A 7, Crawley C 7 Horsham C 2
Division 1 - Cop Maiden B 7 Foresters B 3, Crawley Sports B 2 Cop/Maiden B 8, Crawley Sports B 10 Holbrook A 0, Foresters A 7 Crawley Sports A 3, Foresters B 2 Horsham E 8
Division 2 - Crawley Sports C 2 Holbrook B 8, Foresters C 7 Crawley Sports C 3, Horsham F 0 Cop/Maiden C 10
Division 3 - Crawley Comm D 6 Foresters E 4, Crawley Comm D 7 Holbrook C 3, Crawley Comm D 7 Holbrook D 3, Crawley Sports F 5 Horsham G 5, Foresters E 1 Crawley Sports E 9, Holbrook D 6 Crawley Comm D 4, Holbrook G 7 Holbrook E 3

THE Crawley & Horsham League stages its annual championships this Sunday and for the first time it is being held in the main hall at K2.

Play starts from 9am with the Ladies Singles and Division 1, 2 and 3 Singles events first, followed by the Premier and over-55s Singles at 11am. The action continues on nine tables until around 6pm.