PAUL Cicchelli was crowned new singles champion to regain the title he won for the first time in 2005 at the Bolton Closed Championships.

The Burning Desire A player defeated Radcliffe CC's Mick Dore over four games in the semi-final, before going on to beat Mark Ramsbottom, of Ramsbottom A, who had overcome Radcliffe CC's Nigel Hallows in the semis at the Hilton Centre.

In the final, held at the Lads & Girls Club on Monday night, Paul's excellent defensive style proved effective and he shaved the opening game in the final 11-9, before following it up with a more conclusive 11-6 win in the second.

Mark took the third game 11-5 and scraped home in a nail-biting fourth 14-12, before Paul won the decider 11-8 to clinch the title.

In the semi-finals of the junior singles, Stuart McCaig of Tonge C won through against Hilton J's Adele Spibey in straight games to set up a showdown with team-mate Steven Hall, who defeated Paul Minogue, also from Tonge C.

Both players played well in the final, but the more positive attacking style of Steven saw the youngster run out an 11-4,11-5,11-6 winner to retain the title he won last year.

The final of the Veteran Singles brought together Tonge B's Paul Brandwood and Ramsbottom in what was perhaps the best contest of the night.

Paul won the first two games 11-6 and 11-9, but Mark came back strongly to take the next two 11-5 and 11-6. Paul produced that little bit extra to take the final game 11-7 to take the honours.

In the handicap singles final Mike Moir, of Ramsbottom A, gave Cicchelli a three-points start but still came out on top. After losing the first game 11-3 he won the next three 11-7, 16-14, 11-9, and clinch the title.

The level doubles final was almost a repeat of last year, with Ramsbottom and new partner Moir defeating Cicchelli and Kim Barnard 11-3,11-7,13-11.

The Handicap Doubles final saw the junior combination of Hall and McCaig make good use of their six-point advantage to triumph 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3 against Nomads A's Dennis Collier and Steve McNicholas, of Burning Desire A.

The mixed doubles winners were Barnard and Cicchelli, with Andy Kaye and daughter Gabriella, from Tonge C, the runners-up, while Alan Crompton of Heaton E won the veterans over-60 competition, beating John Scowcroft of Heaton B 5-11,11-5, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7.

Hall was awarded the Albert Howcroft Trophy as the most improved player of the season, and Lloyd Eaton, of Withins, won the Ralph Palmer Memorial Trophy as the most promising junior of the season. Geoff Hall of the Hilton Centre was awarded the Rupert De Riggs Plate for service to coaching.

Thanks go to organiser George Berry, who is moving to pastures new, and referee at the finals, Allan Hodgert, along with the staff at the Lads & Girls club who helped stage the event.