With leaders Durham HQ without a match, it was up to the rest to try and close the gap.

Second placed Stockton travelled to Tyne and Wear Fire and had the temerity to take the lead, when Chris Green tapped in from close range. The lead was short lived, with Garry Teasdale equalising with a bullet header. After the interval, the Fire team gained the upper hand and made sure of all the points when Teasdale scored his second of the game and Kevin Farrell, made it 3-1.

Langbaurgh moved up to second spot with an 11-3 win at Darlington. The home side scored first through Fred Wood, who would go on to score a hat trick. Langbaurgh were in irresistible form, especially Matt Lymer who scored seven of his side's goals.

Langbaurgh did all the damage in a five minute spell in the first half, where they scored five goals. Darren Henry also claimed a hat trick, whilst the other goal was an own goal.

Durham Fire picked up their first win of the season, coincidentally it was the first time that they had fielded 11 players. They beat Derwentside 5-2, thanks to three goals in the first ten minutes, partly attributed to some weak defending. Dave Ibbertson scored twice and Dean Kennedy once to give their side a three goal cushion.

Chris Knight headed Derwentside back into the game before half time. That's the way it stayed until late on, when Ibbertson was able to complete his hat trick and Lee Thomas was able to get in on the act.

Kevin Maddick scored in the last minute for the visitors.

Nine man Easington beat eight man Sedgefield 6-1, with Chris Bell bagging a hat trick for his side. Paul Footes (2) and Keith James scored the other goals in this open match.

Simon Corbett was on target for Sedgefield.

Earlier in the week, Sedgefield had beaten Darlington 4-2, to claim their second win of the season. Simon Morley (2), Mick Kent and Paul Whelan scored for Sedgefield.