THE East London Sunday League Premier title race is wide open again after reigning champions Meath United scored a crucial victory in a seven goal thriller in the meeting of the top two. Hackney s Inter Lucia would have, undoubtedly, been in a strong posi

THE East London Sunday League Premier title race is wide open again after reigning champions Meath United scored a crucial victory in a seven goal thriller in the meeting of the top two.

Hackney's Inter Lucia would have, undoubtedly, been in a strong position had they won the vital clash, but despite an outstanding penalty save from Inter's keeper, it was their Bethnal Green opposition who won the day in a 4-3 win.

The sides were locked at 2-2, but even after the spot-kick stop, Meath stretched away to a 4-2 lead and although Inter reduced arrears late on, despite late pressure they couldn't force an equaliser or save their unbeaten record.

Clapton Rangers stay in the title hunt and handed out something of a drubbing to the usually competitive SK Veleciku in a 7-2 win that keeps them third and in a position to challenge.

Athletico Hackney led 2-0 in their fixture against Beaumont International, but the Waltham Forest outfit staged a strong comeback and turned matters around to run out 3-2 winners.

Crownfield added more misery to newcomers Hench FC's season, as Hench lost their ninth successive game, this time by a 5-2 margin.

Hackney Downs A got off to a poor start in their meeting with Rolls Park and were two down in the early minutes. They pulled a goal back by the interval, but in a high scoring second half, were beaten 5-3.

East Moore are new leaders of Division 1 and the Stepney outfit were involved in a game that produced 15 goals. Moore came out on top against Leyton Trades 9-6, thanks to hat-tricks from Ricky Field and John Magners and further goals from Shaun Brennand, Sean Brown and Jesse Mason.

Previous leaders Reama were in the tussle of the day in the division, against well placed White Swan & Cuckoo from the Isle of Dogs, who earned a point in a 1-1 draw.

Arbour Athletic were much too strong for Tube Lines and completely derailed the Stratford based railway side 7-0, Nick Fautley got three for the Stepney team with a goal apiece from Perry Greenberg, Tony Marsh, Richard Christeson, who has joined the club from local rivals East Moore and Ovidio Copciaoe.

Queensbridge Rangers continue to improve each week and scored an impressive 6-2 success over Hackney Downs B with Timi Oysumi scoring three. Kirk McPherson got a pair and Korah Cook the other in the Haggerston team's first win.

Not so good news for Queensbridge's near neighbours Haggerston Park Lions, who were hit for five by Holloway FC in a 5-1 reverse.

In the very competitive Div 2, EFY lead the way and the division, but didn't have things all their own way in a 4-2 victory over Concordia. Millwall Albion stay firmly in contention after a 4-1 success against Byron Athletic, while Springfield were 5-2 winners against East End United, who are successfully minimising the damage of recent weeks.

Gervic Palace are still searching for a first win of the season after a 7-1 defeat by East Moore's B side.

Adritiku inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Arbour's B side, for whom that will be a last outing in the league. The Arbour club have announced they are withdrawing the side from the league and their record will be expunged.

In Division 3 matters are hotting ahead of this weekend's big show-down between the division's dominant two sides.

Hackney's New North Rangers had the tougher task last Sunday, meeting Beskitas and in a thrilling game that drew spectators from neighbouring pitches, finally triumphed 3-0 thanks to a pair of goals from Gregory Morse Dougal and one from Tashan Lewis to make it nine games unbeaten.

No such difficulty for William Fitt Tigers, who collected their eighth successive win with a 9-1 triumph over struggling Chettle Court Rangers.

The unbeaten pair, now eight points ahead of their nearest rivals, meet on South Marsh this Sunday, so something has got to give!

Elsewhere in the division, Acorn blitzed Concordia 9-2, while Jubba were so late arriving for their scheduled game with William Fitt Lions, that the game was called off and Lions will be awarded the points.