Crook Belle Vue underlined their intention of doing everything in their power to repeat their championship win of last season when they only dropped one point to the visiting Crook White Swan A.

This lifted the Belle Vue side to joint top place in the First Division with Crook Queen's Head A, where they hold a two points advantage over Crook Travellers Rest B.

Lee Airey was the only winner for the White Swan A at the Belle Vue Club, who had singles wins from Jack Walker, Ivor Phillipson, John Warriner, Arthur Hope and Dave Hakin with Ian Hodkinson and Dave Hakin adding the doubles.

In the Second Division, Crook Jelly's Bar A were taken to the deciding doubles before they edged through to victory against the visiting Crook King's Head. John Gibson, Andrew Hutchinson and Keith Dixon won singles for the home side, whilst Derek Pounder, John Roberts and Andrew Fleming equalised. In the deciding doubles Michael Jewitt and Keith Dixon took Jelly's to victory by beating Andrew Fleming and John Roberts.

Willington Brewer's Droop lead the Second Division by one point from Crook White Swan B, who are one ahead of Crook Spitfire Club.

Results: Howden Australian 4 Crook Queen's Head B 3; Crook Jelly's Bar A 4 Crook King's Head 3; Willington Cottles 3 Crook Golden Fleece 4; Crook Spitfire Club 4 Stanley Earl Derby 3; Willington Brewer's Droop 5 Crook Surtees 2; Crook White Swan B 6 Crook Jelly's Bar B 1; Crook Olde Horse Shoe 1 Willington Market 5; Crook Coach and Horses A 2 Crook Royal Sun 5; Crook Queen's Head A 6 Crook Coach and Horses B 1; Crook Travellers Rest A 5 Hunwick Club 2; Crook Belle Vue 6 Crook White Swan A 1; Crook Mill House 4 Crook Travellers Rest B 3.