Guisborough get year off to a great start

Butters put Carlin one frame in front when beating Mick Purdy in their first encounter by 43-14 but this was only short lived as Purdy then levelled the match winning the next frame 76-37. Chris Purdy knocked in a 34 break in his first game which helped him beat Tindle 57-24, he then carried this form on into his next game when winning a closely contested battle 59-52. The Quoit were now leading 3-1. Colin Savage continued the good work when he chalked up a 29 break in his second frame against Metcalf, he ended up the victor in both his games with scores of 58-24 and 74-45 therefore sealing the win for the Quoit. The Redcar Cons A team also beat their opponents, Lune Street A, by the same scoreline during which Ian Whittle compiled a 35 break. Carlin How B, who were also promoted last season, got off to a flier when they beat Guisborough TA 4-2. Ennis Square A held Saltburn Cons A to a respectable 3-3 draw. The remaining three matches Marske Workies A v Redcar Unionist's, Grinkle Park Hotel v Redcar Lakes B and Guisborough Cons. A v New Marske Institute also ended 3-3.

Division Two

Result of the week in division two was recorded by Ennis Square B who beat Saltburn Cons B 5-1. Steve Sullivan won a closely contested first game against Ken Stanford 60-51. Sullivan continued his good form in the next frame when compiling a 39 break which aided him in beating Stanford 92-7. Robinson and Whorton shared the next two frames with scores of 43-52 and 59-52. Steve Buckton sealed the win for Ennis when beating Dave Tait in both his games 77-22 and 50-21.

Redcar Cons B team kept pace with their A team when they also recorded a 5-1 away win to one of the leagues new side's, Marske Workies C.

Redcar Lakes C managed a 4-2 home win against Lodge's A. Brotton Working Mens Club, who have not played in the league for many a year, got their season off to a brilliant start when they recorded a 4-2 away win against Val's Priory B. Guisborough Cons. B also chalked up a creditable 4-2 away win against the Lodge Inn's B team. Finally Marske Workies B held the Redcar Unionist's B team to a respectable 3-3 draw.

Bass Shield Senior Knockout Handicap

In the first semi-final Gilly Hartshorn of Redcar Lakes SC (+15) beat Mick Dermott of Redcar Cons (-5) 3-1, the frame scores were 58-36, 52-61, 69-21 and 73-28. In the second semi Geoff Unthank played Ian Walton, both players representing Marske Working Mens Club. After a long and hard fought battle Geoff Unthank ran out the winner 3-2. Gilly Hartshorn now plays Geoff Unthank in this year's final which is scheduled to be played at the Lodge Inn on Thursday, October 23 commencing 7pm. Phil Vaughan will referee this match.

Magnet Cup Individual Handicap

The first semi was played between Stewart Briggs (Guisborough T.A +10) and Andrew Wiseman (Carlin How +10) at Lune Street Social Club on Thursday, September 11. Briggs won the first frame 52-45, Wiseman then made it all square winning the second 52-22. Briggs then made it 2- 1 winning the third frame on a black fight 55-51. Briggs then made it 3-1 winning the next 53-41. Wiseman pulled one back to make it 3-2 with a frame score of 61-18 but Briggs made sure of his place in this year's final when winning the next game 57-29. Briggs is now just waiting to see who he meets in this years final.

Worthington Durham County CIU Summer League

Spennymoor A completed their first Summer League Championship title success with a three-point home win over Fishburn A, who finished in a possible relegation spot. John Griffin took the only point for the visitors, whilst Karl Welsh, Paul Biddle, John Wilson and Paul Atkinson scored for the Moors.

Sherburn Village beat the visiting runners-up, Wheatley Hill A in the decider to prevent them being involved in a relegation play-off. Dave Walker put the Hill ahead but Scott Mallaburn and Peter McGowan moved the home side ahead. Ronnie Peacock levelled the match but Sherburn's captain, John Bower retained their First Division status in style when he put in a 54 break to beat Alan Hall.

Newton Aycliffe made their best finish for some years when they ended in third spot in the First Division despite taking only one point from their visit to Newhouse. The home side had wins from Harry Dinsdale, John Maddox, Paul Wright and Ian Dinsdale with Michael Hewitt taking the Aycliffe point.

Brandon entertained Willington in a match where the losers were doomed to relegation. Nest season Willington will be in the Second Division after they failed to score at Brandon. The home saviours were John Middleton, Brian Graham, Kevin sample, Graeme Jackson and John Hall.

Witton Gilbert avoided a certain drop to the Second Division when they beat the visiting Shotton Palms by the odd point. This leaves Witton involved in a play-off against Fishburn A to avoid the drop. Witton had wins from John Rooney senior, Ian Renwick with a 36 break and Willis Joynes. The Palms points came from John Armstrong and Barry Hall.

Meadowfield entertained Crowtrees with the winner taking the Second Division Championship and the loser being promoted as well. Keith McLauchlan gave the visitors a good star but that proved to be their only points as Malcolm Hughes, Martin Halliday, Stephen Hughes and John Jackson all won for Meadowfield, who dedicated their title victory to the late Fred Hodgson, their number one supporter.

Stanley Central finished in third place in the Second Division seven points off promotion when they beat the visiting Crook Belle Vue in the decider. John Warriner put the visitors ahead but Harry Grimes and Walter Cornell them moved Stanley ahead. Harold Lomax grabbed the equaliser for Crook but Jimmy Dufton beat Crook's Kenny Rider in the decider.

Wingate ended in fourth place after they were never headed on their trip to Langley Park. Paul Harrison put the visitors ahead bur Robert Roche levelled. Dean Jones restored the Wingate lead only to see Stephen Coates equalise. In the decider, Wingate's Jimmy Mason beat Peter Morgan.

Durham City finished at the foot of the Second Division after they only had Brian Dunn as a home winner against Ferryhill. The visitors had wins from Glyn Toas, Dave Robson, Mark Wilson and Ian Fawcett.

Spennymoor B just failed to finish in the Second Division's top four when they won by the odd point at Wheatley Hill B. the home side had wins from Tony Ellison and Jock Frost, whilst the Moors points came from Gary Easen, Phil Wilson and Micky Anderson.

Bearpark took the Third Division title with a whitewash victory at Fishburn B. the visiting winners were Steve Gott, Glen Morton, Alex Donaldson, Alan Smith and Shaun Easter.

A play-off for the runners-up spot in necessary after Coundon only edged to an odd point victory at Tow Law A. The Lawyers took the first and last frames through Tommy Williams and Heppell Hodgson whilst Coundon had wins from Graham Goulbourn, Willy Shoulder with a 51 break and Frank Nicholson.

New Durham will meet Coundon in the play-off after they only dropped one point to the visiting Leeholme A, who had Barry Shaw as their only winner. The home winners were Neil Phillips, Brian Birks, Thomas Cairns and Kevin Scullion.

Leeholme B finished in the wooden spoon spot after they only took one point from their home match against Sacriston. Ray Gill was the only home winner, whilst Sacriston had wins from Neil Burn, Alan Richardson, Kevin Laing and Gary Surtees.

Tow Law B finished in second bottom spot after they failed to score at Hunwick, who had wins from Barry Fleming, Des Mason, Tom Ward, John Bate and Trevor Lomax.

* The League Presentation Evening will be held at Spennymoor on Saturday, 15 November. Tickets must be collected and paid for at the league meeting in Meadowfield Club on Thursday, October 30. All trophies must be returned to that meeting.

Results: Tow Law 2 Coundon 3; Wheatley Hill B 2 Spennymoor B 3; Spennymoor A 4 Fishburn A 1; New Durham 4 Leeholme A 1; Stanley Central 3 Crook Belle Vue 2; Brandon 5 Willington 0; Hunwick 5 Tow Law B 0; Durham City 1 Ferryhill 4; Witton Gilbert 3 Shotton Palms 2; Fishburn B 0 Bearpark 5; Meadowfield 4 Crowtrees 1; Newhouse 4 Newton Aycliffe 1; Leeholme B 1 Sacriston 4; Langley Park 2 Wingate 3; Sherburn Village 3 Wheatley Hill B 2.

Kingsway Krugerrand Competition

Ithe only match played there was a remarkable finish in the deciding frame when an attempted double on the pink ended up as a treble, which just crawled into the corner pocket. The match was between Alan Grieve of Darlington and Paul Hickman of Shotton, with the other scheduled game between Ronnie Peacock of Wheatley Hill and John Armstrong of Shotton being cancelled because of a back injury to Armstrong.

In the first frame Hickman put in a decisive 31 break to take the first point at 60-25. However the match was squared when Grieve took the second frame by steadily taking opportunities and playing some tight safety and making a vital 18 break to take the frame at 59-18.

The third frame was a very low scoring affair with neither player ever giving his opponent a chance to build a sizeable break. Hickman managed to gain a slender lead and never lost it as he won the frame at 48-35. Grieve hit much better forming the fourth and an early run of 21 put him ahead. Hickman made an immediate reply of 15 but missed an easy red to allow Grieve back to the table to increase his lead even further. Hickman needed snookers on the final red, which he potted but missed the black and conceded at 51-19.

The final frame was a cliffhanger. Hickman smashed the reds open by potting one and went on to make 21 before missing an easy red. Grieve should have capitalised on the error but went in-off. With only one red remaining Hickman led by 17 points. Grieve attempted to slam in this ball but it wobbled with Hickman missing a good chance but was fortunate to get a snooker. Grieve hit the black and left red over pocket. Hickman should have clinched the match but missed a straight blue. Grieve took the yellow and green with Hickman taking the brown to go 20 ahead. Grieve took the blue and laid a very good snooker on the pink. Hickman missed and so Grieve put him back in. Hickman tried a double, which turned into a winning treble as he took the frame 64-45.

On Thursday, October 9 Robert Bowman of Bishop Auckland plays Sean Johnston of Crowtrees Club and Andrew Aisbitt of Cockton Hill Club meets Mark Appleby of Sacriston Club. Matches begin at 7.30 pm in the Kingsway Club, which is upstairs above the Lightfoot Institute in Kingsway, Bishop Auckland. There is free entry for spectators.