Esh McKennas took advantage of the former leaders, Esh Stag's Head having a bye to take over the top spot with a five points home victory over Hamsteels Inn.

The visitors' two points came in the singles from Billy Hird and Brian Agar whilst McKennas had singles points from Enid Starr, Alan Hennigan, Joe Starr and Kevin Starr to add to all three doubles points.

McKennas now lead the table by two points with the Stag's Head two points ahead of Billy Row Club, who lost ground when they lost by the odd point to their hosts at Newhouse Club.

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

Wilington League

Willington Club moved themselves up into second place in the table when they beat the visiting Willington Burn Inn by three points. The Club had singles wins from Bobby Jackson, Michael Irwin, Alan Walker and Joe Blakey with Scott Little and Stephen Hutchinson adding a doubles point. The only singles winner for the Burn was John McIntosh with their other point coming when Malcolm Campbell and Sean Pardew won the second doubles.

Willington Lion and Unicorn lead the table, but Willington Club are only three points behind with a match in hand. Willington Cottles are a further two points adrift in third place.

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

Crook League

Willington Market failed to make their first win of the season when they entertained Crook Coach and Horses A and went down by three points. The home side had singles wins from Syd Trow and Darren Peacock, whilst the visitors replied with singles from Paul Fiddis, Brian Lee, Lee Scott and Stuart Hall with Fiddis and Lee adding the doubles.

In the Second Division Crook Jelly's Bar A boosted their league position when they won by three points over the visiting Crook Olde Horse Shoe B and moved into third place. Jelly's had singles wins from Keith Dixon, Andrew Heyes, Norman Jones and Ray Hall with Michael Jewitt joining Dixon to take the doubles. The Shoe's winners were Ian Armstrong and Wayne Smith.

Crook Royal Sun took over at the top of the First Division after they only dropped two points to Crook Travellers Rest B, who now share third place with the Spitfire Club and the Travellers Rest A, two points behind the leaders. Crook Belle Vue are in second spot, one point behind the leaders.

In the Second Division Willington Brewer's Droop are one point ahead of Crook Coach and Horses B, with Jelly's Bar A a further six points adrift.

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

Tow Law and

District League

Tow Law Football Club held on to their top position when they beat the visiting Tow Law New Market B in the decider to stay three points clear of Newhouse Club, who also won by the odd point. Tow Law Dan's Castle B slipped three points behind Newhouse Club when they lost at home to Tow Law Rose and Crown.

John Beveridge put the New Market B ahead at the Football Club but then Charlie McGee and Billy Lyle moved the home side ahead. Ray Weir levelled the match but the footballers went to victory when Charlie Donaghy beat Michael Bell in the decider.

Tow Law Rose and Crown pulled off an odd point win at Dan's Castle B in a match where all the points were won against the down. Kelly Armstrong and David Murray won for the Castle with Lee Mowbray and Richard Charlton setting up the decider, where the visitors Gavin Hammell beat Anthony Lee.

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

Willington and

District League

Sunnybrow Brown Trout shot to the top of the table after they whitewashed the visiting Willington Burn Inn and overtook Willington Cottles B, the former leaders, after they went down by the odd point at Willington New Inn.

The Brown Trout went to their maximum victory over the Burn Inn with wins from Les Welch, Rita Welch, Ian Stoker, Harry Sewell and Dave Blackburn.

At the New Inn, Cottles B took the lead when Dessie Ayre won but the visitors moved ahead with wins from Gilly Spark and Paul Trow. Peter Cater levelled the match and the New Inn clinched victory when Dave Milburn beat Steve Maddison in the decider.

The Brown Trout lead the table by one point from Cottles B, who are six points ahead of the Burn Inn and Byers Green Royal Oak.

Results: Willington Cottles A 2 Prospect Club 3; Willington Lion and Unicorn 3 Hunwick Quarry 2; Byers Green Royal Oak 2 Willington Brewer's Droop 3; Prospect Club 3 Willington Lion and Unicorn 2; Willington New Inn 3 Willington Cottles B 2; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 5 Willington Burn Inn 0.

CIU Pairs Championship

Quarter Finals draw: J. Wray & D. Illingworth (Ferryhill) v R.J. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor); L. McEwan & R. Bell (New Hesledon) v G. Peaden & P. Whitfield (Crowtrees); G. Lowes & C. Johnson (Vale of Derwent) v H. Houghton & I. Swales (Fishburn); R. Hodgeson & D. Johnson (Stanley Empire) v D. Patterson & J. Hancock (Belmont). Results to be into the Branch Office by Saturday, 15 November.