Tow Law Area League: Billy Row Club moved into second place in the table, just two points behind the leaders, Esh Stag's Head after they beat the visiting Sunniside Comedian by three points.

The Club had singles wins from Bob Potts, Edna Dawson, Harold Eggleston and David Zak with Colin Edwards and Andy Gardener replying. The Comedian closed the gap by taking the first doubles through Dorothy Thompson with Bill Railton but the Club took the remaining two doubles to make a comfortable victory.

Esh Stag's Head remain two points clear of Billy Row Club after they beat the visiting Tow Law Dan's Castle by the odd point, whilst third placed, Esh McKennas slipped one point behind Billy Row after they lost by the odd point at Cornsay Royal Oak.

Results: Tow Law Rose and Crown 6 Hamsteels Inn 3; Newhouse Club 4 Tow Law New Market A 5; Esh Stag's Head 5 Tow Law Dan's Castle 4; Cornsay Royal Oak 5 Esh McKennas 4; Billy Row Club 6 Sunniside Comedian 3.

Wilington League

Willington Brewer's Droop got back to winning ways and were able to move up to fifth place in the table after they beat the visiting Willington Black Horse Tavern. The home side had singles wins from Ran Smith, Denise McCann and Jimmy Fleming whilst Aynsley Rainbow and Margaret Marriott took points for the Tavern. The Brewer's clinched their victory when they won both doubles with wins from Steve Smith with Ron Smith and Billy Wragg with Jimmy Fleming.

Hunwick Joiners Arms and Willington Lion and Unicorn share the top spot, but the Unicorn have a match in hand. They are three points ahead of Willington Club and Willington Cottles, who share third.

Results: Sunnybrow Brown Trout B 4 Willington Club 3; Victoria Club 1 Sunnybrow Brown Trout A 6; Willington Burn 6 Willington New Inn 1; Willington Cottles 5 Byers Green Royal Oak 3; Hunwick Joiners Arms 5 Willington Lion and Unicorn 2; Willington Black Horse Inn 3 Prospect Club 4; Willington Brewer's Droop 5 Willington Black Horse Tavern 2.

Crook League

League leaders, Crook Travellers Rest A had a disastrous night at Crook Golden Fleece B and only managed to collect one point when Tony Storey won. The home side had singles wins from Freda Smith, Jim Smith, Geoff Young, David March and Colin Baker with Guy Witton and David March adding the doubles. This result moved the Travellers from the top down to fourth place one point behind the Royal Sun and three behind the new joint leaders, Crook Belle Vue and the Travellers Rest B.

In the Second Division Crook Coach and Horses B maintained their top spot with an odd point home win over Stanley Earl Derby. The Coach had singles points from David Haygarth, Eric Major, David Stephenson and Gerald Parkin, whilst the Derby replied with wins from Gary Cutler and Mally Henry before Shaun Crawford joined Gary Cutler to take the doubles.

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

Tow Law and

District League

Newhouse Club held on to their second place in the table after they won in the decider at Tow Law New Market B. The home side went ahead through John Beveridge but Graeme Thompson levelled. Tom Hauxwell restored the home lead only to see Steve Turner equalise. In the decider the Newhouse captain, Harry Dinsdale beat David Spencer.

Tow Law Dan's Castle B managed to stay in third place following their home win in the decider against Hamilton Row Black Horse.

Results: Sunniside Comedian 2 Tow Law Dan's Castle A 3; Tow Law New Market A 3 Tow Law New Market B 2; Tow Law Station 2 Tow Law Football Club 3.

Willington and

District League

Willington Cottles A moved themselves into a strong position when they whitewashed the visiting Willington Burn to move up to share third place in the table with Byers Green Royal Oak. These two trail Willington Cottles B by one point and the leaders, Sunnybrow Brown Trout by six points.

Results: Prospect Club 4 Hunwick Quarry 1; Willington New Inn 1 Willington Brewer's Droop 4; Byers Green Royal Oak 4 Willington Cottles B 1; Willington Cottles A 5 Willington Burn 0.

CIU Pairs Championship

Quarter Finals results: J. Wray & D. Illingworth (Ferryhill) lost to R.J. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor); L. McEwan & R. Bell (New Hesledon) lost to G. Peaden & P. Whitfield (Crowtrees); G. Lowes & C. Johnson (Vale of Derwent) beat H. Houghton & I. Swales (Fishburn); R. Hodgeson & D. Johnson (Stanley Empire) beat D. Patterson & J. Hancock (Belmont).