Durham County: Durham had victories in the Men's A and the Ladies match in the first round of the Region One Inter-Counties League when they played Northumberland.

The match was played at Daisy Hill, Sacriston after a late change form the designated venue in Blyth, which was not ready. The reverse fixture will now be played there on Sunday, 12 September.

The Men's A team made a comprehensive 27- 17 victory with England triallist, Ian Staines of Chester-le-Street winning all four of his games. Dave Harrop and Kevin Rainbow, both of Consett, joined him with unbeaten runs from their four games. There were three wins from four outings for Steve Thompson of Sunderland, James Evans from Horden and Chris Bowran from Durham.

The Men's B team did not fare so well and went down by 19-25. The best scores in the match were four wins from four from David Whittaker of Newcastle and three from four from Barry Dowson of Langley Park.

The Ladies team made their best start ever to a new season when they won 28-16. England triallist, Helen Littlewood of Durham won four from four and was joined by Sue Seal of Durham with a similar result. Clare Triton, of Chester-le-Street, the ladies captain, took the Lady of the Match award by winning three from four, one of which was and eight ball clearance. Kay Brannen of Durham Lyndsey Short of South Stanley and Susan Dixon of Consett also scored three wins from their four games.

All Super League captains and delegates are reminded that the first meeting of the new season takes place at 5pm in the Weardale, Spennymoor. This is followed by the first match of the new season, starting at 7.30pm.

Durham and District League

The first match of the second half of the season produced a clash between the top two teams with the league leaders, Sacriston Daisy Hill B only dropping four points to the visiting Horden Big Club. The visitors' points came from James Mason with two and one each from John Bourne and James Evans. For the home side Michael Peel and Helen Littlewood won two each, with Michael Peel later adding the captain's game, whilst Ian Staines, Brian Clamp, Steve Thompson and Chris Bowran all added one each.

Sacriston Daisy Hill B now lead the table with 132 points from 14 matches with Consett Stateside on 125 points from 13 matches. Horden have slipped into third place with 116 points from 15 matches, whilst Durham Snooker Club, remain a Championship threat, with 112 points from 12 matches.

Results: Coxhoe Club 6 Sacriston Daisy Hill A 7; Bowburn Hare and Greyhound 4 Durham Snooker Club 9; Sacriston Daisy Hill B 9 Horden Big Club 4; Ushaw Moor Winnings 2 Spennymoor Voltigeur 11; Ushaw Moor Catholic Club 4 Ushaw Moor Flass Inn 9. No results from Bowburn Cooperage v Bowburn Oak Tree; Framwellgate Moor Marquis of Granby v Witton Gilbert White Tun; Consett Stateside v Gilesgate Three Horse Shoes.

Tow Law Scottish Courage League

Sunniside Comedian's hopes of landing the title took a dip when they went down in the decider at Tow Law Football Club. The Comic seemed in confident mood when they had singles wins from John Conley, Morgan Errington, Keith Race and John Hildreth with Terry Ginty and Charlie Donaghy replying for the footballers. The home side then pulled out all the stops as they levelled by taking the first two doubles and clinched victory when Charlie Donaghy and Arthur Henderson beat Dave Walton and Ray Johnson in the decider.

Tow Law Dan's Castle A moved one point clear at the top above the Comedian when they struggled through to win by the odd point at Hamilton Row Black Horse. The singles were shared with Chris Elliss, John Robinson and John Christalow winning for the Horse and John Wilson, Lee Stockdale and Colin Armstrong replying for the Castle. The first two doubles were shared to set up the decider, where Alan Henderson and Colin Armstrong took the Castle to victory by beating Barry Sims and Mike McCormick.

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

Willington and District League

Byers Green missed the chance of moving up the table when they dropped four points at Willington Brewer's Droop. Stephen Britton, making his debut for the Brewer's, Billy Wragg, who inflicted the first defeat on Ian Brown, and Graeme Hipkiss put the home side three up only to see the visitors level with wins from Paul Brownson, Gary Slater and Stuart Hibbert. The first two doubles were shared but then the Oak went to victory when Anthony Binks and Gary Slater beat Tim Fleming and Stuart Smith in the decider.

Results: Prospect Club 4 Willington Cottles A 5; Willington Burn 7 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2; Hunwick Quarry 6 Willington Lion & Unicorn 3; Willington Cottles B 8 Willington New Inn 1; Willington Brewer's Droop 4 Byers Green Royal Oak 5.

Auckland Area League

Bishop Auckland Grand A entertained Spennymoor Wheatsheaf and got off to a fine start with Shaun Reynolds, Alan Sokell and David Baglin winning the first three points. Paul McLean and Phil Thompson started a comeback for the visitors before home landlord, Simon Gillespie stopped the revival. Paul McLean took his second point to reduce the deficit to one again. Michael Kean and Shaun Reynolds put the Grand three up, but Paul Gough won the final singles game for the visitors. Gough then combined with Phil Thompson to take the first doubles while Michael Kean and Darras Jones combined for the home side to take the second doubles. Paul McLean took his third point of the night with victory in the captains game to leave the final score 7-6 to the Grand.

The Hillingdon were the second Spennymoor team in Bishop Auckland when they visited The Manor. Again the home side got off to a good start with Bill Turner and Peter Mernor taking the first two games. John Bulmer reduced the arrears before John Collinson took the next. Baz Walton replied for the visitors before Bill Turner and Peter Mernor both claimed their second points of the night. Ben Smith chalked another one up for the Hilli whilst John Collinson took the Manor into a 6-3 lead. This was to prove the Manor's last point of the game as Ian Smith took the final singles game and then combined with John Bulmer to take the first singles. Ben Smith and Kenny Smith took the second doubles and Baz Walton the captains to complete the fightback and give the Hillingdon a 7-6 victory.

Results: Bishop Auckland Beehive 6 Bishop Auckland Derby 7; Bishop Auckland Grand A 7 Spennymoor Wheatsheaf 6; Bishop Auckland Manor 6 Spennymoor Hillingdon 7; Spennymoor Voltigeur A 7 Bishop Auckland Grand B 6.