Tow Law Area League: Tow Law Rose and Crown visited the league leaders, Esh McKennas and edged through to an odd point victory, a result which cost the home side their top spot as they were overtaken by Esh Stag's Head.

The Stag's only dropped two points on their visit to Tow Law New Market A to move two clear at the top, whilst Billy Row Club moved a point behind McKennas following their odd point victory at Tow Law Dan's Castle. The Rose and Crown went ahead in the singles with wins from Christine Rand, Dorothy Mowbray, Ron Kitching and Alan Spence whilst only Enid Starr and Norma Davis won for the home side. The visitors clinched victory when Dorothy Mowbray and Christine Rand won the doubles. Enid and Joe Starr and Kevin Starr with Ray Thompson kept score respectable.

Results: Tow Law New Market A 2 Esh Stag's Head 7; Tow Law Dan's Castle 4 Billy Row Club 5; Hamsteels Inn 5 Tow Law New Market B 4; Sunniside Comedian 3 Cornsay Royal Oak 6; Esh McKennas 4 Tow Law Rose and Crown 5.

Wilington League

Willington Club had high hopes of taking over the top spot as leaders, Willington Lion and Unicorn were without a match but they came badly unstuck when they visiting Willington Brewer's Droop won by the odd point. The home side had singles wins from Joe Blakey and Bobby Jackson with Scott Little and Stephen Hutchinson adding a doubles, whilst the Brewer's went to victory with singles from Denise McCann, Ray Smith and Jimmy Fleming with Denise McCann and Jimmy Fleming adding a doubles point.

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

Crook League

Crook Spitfire Club slipped from second down to equal fourth place after they took a heavy beating at Willington Market, who almost doubled their points total for the season. Diane Walker took the lone point for the Spitfire, whilst the Market had singles wins from Syd Trow, Adrian Peacock, Tommy Barrass, John Blackett and Gary Trow with Alan McAloon and John Blackett adding the doubles.

In the top of the table clash at Crook Coach and Horses B, leaders Willington Brewer's Droop only managed two points when Steve Smith and Jimmy Fleming won singles. The home side had singles wins from Gerald Parkin, David Stephenson, David Haygarth and Les Scott with Gerald Parkin and David Stephenson adding the doubles.

Crook Travellers Rest A recorded the first whitewash victory of the season in the First Division, although the Brewer's Droop have achieve this feat in the Second Division, to move up to share top spot with Crook Belle Vue. However they only hold a single point lead over Crook Royal Sun and Crook Travellers Rest B, who share third place.

Results: Stanley Earl Derby 3 Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 4; Crook White Swan A 2 Howden Australian 5; Crook Golden Fleece A 2 Crook White Swan B 5; Crook Queen's Head A 4 Crook Jelly's Bar B 3; Crook Jelly's Bar B 6 Crook Queen's Head B 1; Crook Mill House 2 Crook Travellers Rest B 5; Crook Royal Sun 4 Crook Belle Vue 3; Crook Travellers Rest A 7 Crook Surtees 0; Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 3 Crook Golden Fleece B 4; Willington Market 6 Crook Spitfire Club 1; Crook Coach and Horses B 5 Willington Brewer's Droop 2.

Tow Law and

District League

Tow Law Football Club won a top of the table clash by the odd point against the visiting third placed Tow Law Dan's Castle B to stay three points clear of Newhouse Club, who only dropped one point to the visiting Sunniside Comedian.

The footballers had singles wins from Billy Lyle, Charlie Donaghy and Arthur Henderson with David Murray and Angela Suddes replying for the Castle. The win by David Murray over Charlie McGee was only the fourth defeat of the season suffered by the leading player in the league. Angela Suddes stretched her lead in the Captain's table with a win over former leader, Billy Lyle.

Results: Hamilton Row Black Horse 2 Tow Law Rose and Crown 3; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 1 Tow Law Station 4; Newhouse Club 4 Sunniside Comedian 1; Tow Law Football Club 3 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 2.

Willington and

District League

The Championship hopes of Byers Green Royal Oak took a hammering when they visited Hunwick Quarry and only managed one point when Jeff Morrow won. The home side had wins from Jamie Wragg, Dave Robson, Colin Moore and Craig Lowe. This reversal left the Royal Oak down in third place, four points behind Willington Cottles B and ten points behind the leaders, Sunnybrow Brown Trout.

Results: Willington Burn Inn 1 Willington Lion and Unicorn 4; Willington New Inn 1 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 4; Willington Brewer's Droop 0 Prospect Club 5; Hunwick Quarry 4 Byers Green Royal Oak 1.

5's & 3's

CIU 5s & 3s Championship

Individual

Semi-final draw: A.J. Guile (Darlington East End) v M. Shield (Whitehill Park Tenants); C. Stainsby (Darlington) v S. Smith (Darlington). Matches to be completed by 28 November.

Pairs

Quarter Finals draw: W. Dillon & J. Smith (Low Spennymoor & Merrington Lane) v G. Peaden & P. Whitfield (Crowtrees); J. Ogden & W. Diamond (Simonside) v S. Wray & T. Wray (Ferryhill); S. Farquhar & S. Dixon (Town End Farm) v R. Wharton & M. Robinson (Fishburn); S. Dodds & L. Irwin (Vale of Derwent) v C. Stainsby & S. Smith (Darlington). Results to be into the Branch Office by 6 December.