Crook League

Crook Belle Vue maintained the top spot in the First Division after they recovered from a two points deficit at Crook Coach and Horses B.

The home side went two up with wins from Graham Witton and Mark Nichol, but the Club then took the remaining singles through John Warriner, Arthur Hope, Ian Hodkinson and Dave Hakin with Roy Hoggarth joining Hakin to add the doubles.

The result kept Belle Vue three points ahead of Crook Travellers Rest B, who went one ahead of the Prospect Club and the Olde Horse Shoe A.

In the Second Division, the leaders, Croft Social Club went down to their first defeat of the season when they were beaten in the deciding doubles at Crook Bar 56. The singles were shared with Dave Dakers, Simon Adamson and Ray Hall winning for the home side and Harry Tait, Rob Grayson and Rebecca Newton equalising.

Keith Clarke and Kenny Smith clinched the victory for Bar 56 when they beat Paul Futter and Gary Plews in the decider.

Croft still lead the division by two points from the Olde Horse Shoe B and by four from Crook Crown.

Results: Division One: Crook Golden Fleece 3 Prospect Club 4; Crook Travellers Rest A 2 Crook Travellers Rest B 5; Stanley Earl Derby A 3 Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 4; Crook White Swan A 4 Crook Coach and Horses A 3; Crook Coach and Horses B 2 Crook Belle Vue 5.

Division Two: Howden Australian 6 Stanley Earl Derby B 1; Crook Crown 3 Willington Market 4; Crook Bar 56 4 Croft SC 3; Crook Lotty's Bar 3 Crook King's Head 4; Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 4 Crook White Swan B 3.

Sherburn Hill League

Last year's champions, Gilesgate Moor Hotel won a stiff opening game against Sherburn Lambton Arms. Micky Moody took the first point the visitors, but Kevin Hearne and Billy Gowland took the Moor into the lead, only to see Tony McGiven level for the Lambton. However, Davy Naisbitt took the final captains' game to give victory to the Moor.

Results: Sherburn Village 2 Wheatsheaf 3; Moorsley Black Boy 5 Crowtrees B 0; Gilesgate Durham Light Infantryman 3 West Rainton Greyhound 2; Ludworth Queen's Head 2 Cassop Victoria 3; Sherburn Cross Keys 1 Gilesgate Queen's Head 4; Belmont 3 Quarrington Hill 2; Crowtrees A 2 Gilesgate Grange 3; Gilesgate Moor 3 Sherburn Lambton Arms 2.