County Super League: Shildon A made a spectacular start to the new season when they only dropped one point to the visiting Newton Aycliffe.

The visitors' lone score came from Carl Little, whilst the Railwaymen had two points from Steve Phillips, Andrew Tennant, Rance Richardson and Martin Taylor with Kevin Stewart, Peter Coates, Malcolm Parry, Michael Hoggart and Stuart Hardy adding one each.

Horden, runners-up last season, struggled in the first half against the visiting Shildon B and just edged into an odd point lead. However the home side commanded the second half and went on to win by four points, although the visitors deemed this a satisfactory start against such strong hosts.

There were two points each from Darren Jones, James Evans, Paul Hickman and Shaun Williams with Steve Nixon adding one for Horden, whilst Ian Sanderson scored two for Shildon B with David Waites, Michael Aldworth and Dominic Hanlon adding one each.

Fixtures for Sunday: Durham v Horden; Shildon B v Crook A; Crook B v Shildon A; Newton Aycliffe v Spennymoor. Ferryhill have no game.

Tow Law Scottish Courage League

The two teams at the bottom of the table surprisingly beat both the two Championship contenders. League leaders, Tow Law Dan's Castle A were beaten by three points by the visiting bottom team, Tow Law New Market A, whilst second placed, Sunniside Comedian went down by the odd point to next to bottom visitors, Hamilton Row Black Horse.

At Dan's Castle the singles were shared with home wins from Gary Watson, Ian Johnson and Colin Armstrong whilst the New Market A replied with wins from Ivor Childs, Ian Turner and Dale Duxfield. However the Market then took over and won all three doubles points.

At Sunniside Comedian the Black Horse raced into a three-points lead with wins from Chris Elliss, Jim Christalow and John Robinson but the home side steadied with replies from Keith Race, Morgan Errington and John Hildreth. The visitors took the vital fifth point when Alan Taylor and John Robinson beat John Hildreth and Keith Race.

These reversals for the top two mean that they now share the top spot with an 18 points advantage over Tow Law Football Club, who are five points ahead of Newhouse Club.

Results: Tow Law New Market B 4 Tow Law Football Club 5; Tow Law Rose and Crown 7 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 2; Tow Law Station 6 Newhouse Club 3; Sunniside Comedian 4 Hamilton Row Black Horse 5; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 3 Tow Law New Market A 6.

Willington and District League

Sunnybrow Brown Trout clinched the League Championship when they travelled to Willington Lion and Unicorn and won by the odd point. The singles were shared with Alan Lee junior, Kevin Hill and Alan Lee senior winning for the Unicorn and Dave Blackburn, Micky Pickles and Tony Atkinson replying. Kevin Hill and David Hawkins put the title on hold when they won a doubles point for the Unicorn but points from the other two doubles from Les Blackburn with Tony Atkinson and Harry Sewell with Dave Blackburn ensured the celebrations.

Byers Green Royal Oak will now face a play-off for the runners-up spot with Willington Cottles B after they both whitewashed Cottles A.

Results: Willington Cottles A 0 Byers Green Royal Oak 9; Willington Cottles A 1 Willington Lion and Unicorn 9; Willington Lion and Unicorn 4 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 5; Willington Cottles B 9 Willington Cottles A 0.

Auckland Area League

Bishop Auckland Manor got off to a flying start when they visited the Grand B. Bill Turner, Peter Mernor, Jon Tomlinson and John Collinson gave the Manor a dream start. David Wilson and Keith Young took the next two for the home side to start the comeback but Peter Mernor had other ideas and claimed his second point of the night. David Wilson, Derek Cooper and Phil Young won the next three games to see the Grand draw level after the singles. The rest of the night was the Manor's with Jon Tomlinson with John Collinson and Bill Turner with Bob Webb took the doubles and Peter Mernor rounded off a good night by winning the captains game.

Bishop Auckland Derby visited bottom of the table West Auckland Earl of Warwick and opened with wins from Chris Peacock and Steven Lowther. Mike Hankey pulled a point back before Stuart Milne put the Derby two ahead again. David Proudfoot won the next for the home side but Chris Peacock restored the two points lead. Mike Hankey again reduced the deficit only for Stuart Milne to again take the Derby two ahead. That was to be the end for the home side as Gary Dixon and Andrew Delve claimed the final two singles points. and Stuart Milne with Jeff Dixon and Andrew Delve with Gary Dixon took the doubles and Chris Peacock won the captains to give the Derby a 10-3 victory.

Results: Bishop Auckland Grand B 5 Bishop Auckland Manor 8; Spennymoor Wheatsheaf 4 Bishop Auckland King's Head 9; West Auckland Earl of Warwick 3 Bishop Auckland Derby 10.

Bishop Auckland League

The annual meeting of the league will be held in Bishop Auckland Snooker Club on Tuesday, February 3 at 8pm. All teams wishing to play in the league must be represented.

The league plays matches of ten singles frames, one doubles and two captain's frames on a home and away basis. Besides it runs a Team Knock-Out, Singles Championship and Doubles Championship. There are vacancies for new teams, who can contact the secretary, Russell Place on 01388 603643 for advance information but they must be present at the meeting to be accepted.

Durham and District League

Framwellgate Moor Marquis of Granby entertained Spennymoor Voltigeur in a close fought match with the leaders eventually leaving with an odd point victory. The Marquis points came from David Hodgson, Ivor Lloyd, Trevor Walton, Paul Shutt, Paul Dudding and Graham Cumerford whilst the Voltigeur replied with David Mains winning two games and the captains and Darren Briggs, Tony Biddle, Stuart Robinson all added one point each.

Sacriston Daisy Hill B maintained their lead at the top but Consett Stateside, who are seven points adrift have a match in hand. Durham Snooker Club moved up 12 behind the Consett team with a match in hand.

Results: Bowburn Hare and Greyhound 8 Horden Club 5; Coxhoe W. M. Club 8 Bowburn Oak Tree 5; Consett Stateside 10 Sacriston Daisy Hill A 3; Framwellgate Moor Marquis of Granby 6 Spennymoor Voltigeur 7; Ushaw Moor Catholic Club 7 Gilesgate Three Horse Shoes 6; Bowburn Cooperage 8 Ushaw Moor Winnings 5; Sacriston Daisy Hill B 10 Witton Gilbert White Tun 3; Ushaw Moor Flass Inn 2 Durham Snooker Club 11.