The move slashes the Somerset boat's lead at the top of the points standings to just five-and-a-quarter points over her west-end stablemate Echo .

Challenger's withdrawal means that the hapless Bloodhound claims her first win of the season, and is now the proud holder of the Middleton Shield.

Tim Patton, at the helm of Challenger in the absence of regular skipper Paul Fisher, decided to bow out following a post-race protest from Echo skipper Martin Siese.

Challenger's withdrawal from the E.R. Williams Cup did not affect the outcome of the race, as the Somerset boat was the last of the finishers.

Hughie Watlington in Contest , who finished second to Echo , lodged the protest after a collision he felt was caused by Challenger .

Contest is now a close third in the overall standings, trailing Echo by just half a point.

Victory is safe in fourth, with Bloodhound and Elizabeth propping up the fleet.

SNOOKER SNO National Sports Club moved into a commanding, six-point lead in the Super Six Tournament with a 6-1 win over Old Colony Club I.

Mike Tatem and Tony DeSilva won both their games for Nationals. Phil Lambert prevented a whitewash by spltting two frames with Stephen Pantry, who got the high break of 22.

Queens Club I moved past OCC I into second place with a hard-fought 4-3 win over Police. Gary Skinner led Queens winning two frames over Andy Hall. Steve Dunleavy scored two of Police's points as he split with Greg Falzone and made the highest break so far this summer -- a 37. Ironically, he made the break in the game he lost to Falzone, on the black ball. Steven Roberts split the other match with Darren Hall.

Ed Gumbs and Buddy Lindo won two games each to lead Queens II to a 4-3 win over OCC II. Colony Club got its points from Steve Moniz's two wins over Nick Mansell and Stan Fearis' high break of 14.

Next week's schedule: OCC I v Police, Queens II v Nationals, OCC II v Queens I.

CHESS CHS Phil Shadick defeated Richard Swift to clinch the Gypsum Tournament with five-and-a-half out of a possible six points.

Larry Kleine and George Ben tied for second place with four-and-a-half points.

In the 1,500-1,750 category, Michael Craggs won with three-and-a-half point and in the under-15,00 category, David Arorash and Kai Hartman finished tied with three points.

Arorash started the season with a rating of 1,353 but has picked up 130 points from the four events played this year.

Nick Faulkes continues to lead the ratings with 2,185 and Shadick has moved back into second place with 2,050, just eight points ahead of Harry Kast.

Tonight's event is the Paraquet 10-second tournament, which was won by Shadick last year. Tournament director for this event, and the following Canada Dry tournament, will be Nigel Chudleigh.

TENNIS TEN The Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association has organised an umpires training programme for beginners interested in tennis officiating.

The five-week course, starting August 4, will give comprehensive coverage of all the rules of the game.

The weekly sessions will take place on Tuesday nights from 6.30 until 8.30 at BF&M's Scarborough Building on Pitts Bay Road.

Application forms for the course can be found at the Government Tennis Stadium.

A charge of $10 will be made to cover the cost of materials.

More details are available from Joseph Morley on 295-8842.

CRICKET CRI Umpires are urged to attend a meeting at the Department of Youth and Sport boardroom tonight (7.30).