LAST year's Northern billiards premier Works Green and bottom team Works Blue were the big winners this week with both teams scoring 4-0 wins, against Longford RSL and Works Gold respectively.

The Green team has moved to third and on form looks set to give this year's finals series a real shake.

The other team showing good late-season form is the Flaming Devils, which scored 3-1 over Navy to move to a clear second on the ladder.

The Rainbow boys - Heath, Andrew and Josh - all had comfortable wins.

Works Black holds a seven point buffer on the field with just three weeks remaining in the roster. Just five points separate second from seventh place.

Results: Works Green beat Longford RSL, 4-0, George Zammit (285) won over Adrian White (190), Lee Morcom (240) beat Wayne Purdon (245), Glen Johansen (250) defeated Glen Williams (260) and Dean Wilson (290) beat Graeme Purdon (300).

Works Red defeated Works Black 3-1. Peter Seaman (300) took full advantage of a 400 start to account for David Bates (-90), Keith Coomber (165) beat Peter Wallace (290) and Phil Rowbottom (280) beat Bruce Lockley (210).

The Devils easily accounted for Navy 3-1. Andrew Rainbow (280) beat Ben Conrads (300), Heath Rainbow (270) won against Philip Page (265) and Josh Rainbow (305) beat Alan Legg (275). Ray Skinner was Navy's only winner, accounting for Roydyn Bishop (145).

Works Blue defeated Works Gold 4-0. Hans Georgieff (290) beat Gary Bjarnoe Elliott (155), Michael Leslie (230) beat Rolf Stevenson (245), Peter Donati (120) beat John Fraser (190) and Jemma Sampson (320) accounted for John Stevenson (265).

Exeter RSL had this week's bye.

Ladder after round 13, (three weeks remaining) Black 45, Flaming Devils 38, Gold 37, Green 37, Longford 34, Red 33, Exeter RSL 32, Navy 28, Blue 27.

Bates still leads

DAVID Bates continues to lead the player rankings, having won eight matches from 10 played, followed by Bruce Lockley, eight from 11 played, Glen Johansen, who has won eight matches from 10 played and Steve Leary, seven from 10 played.

Southern win

THE David Smart Memorial Shield, North vs South, eightball, was played in Hobart on the weekend.

The Southern team, which was stacked with state players, was far too strong for the Northern team, winning 44-20. Phil Hodgetts was the North's best player and Chris Forsyth was the best player from the Southern team.

For more information go to the cue sport website, www.nteba.com.au or call the secretary on 0487171966.