Pool king Hogarth is Ron is way to glory

This was Hogarth's first victory and it was sufficient to lift him from 13th to seventh in the Ranking List, a key factor when it comes to the end of season 'Big Money' Tournament at Durham Snooker Club, where the top 32 ranked players will play off.

Colin Hutchinson did very well to reach the final with wins over top seed, Michael Rhodes, second placed, Steve Thompson and sixth ranked Alan Hogarth. These victories moved him from 17th to tenth place.

Graeme Thompson gained enough ranking points to move up into the top 32 from 38th place, whilst Kevin Teasdale just failed to make the elite group when he moved from 40th to 33rd.

The results of the last 16 were Kevin Teasdale 3 Gary Carr 1; Gemma Bennington 0 Michael Rhodes 3; Steve Thompson 0 Colin Hutchinson 3; Alan Hogarth 3 Andrew Mole 2; Helen Sharpe 1 Graeme Thompson 3; Ian Dinsdale 1 Rob Hogarth 3; Kevin Rainbow 3 Peter Mernor 1; Andy Seal 1 Steve Webb 3.

The quarter finals results were Kevin Teasdale 2 Michael Rhodes 4; Colin Hutchinson 4 Alan Hogarth 1; Graeme Thompson 3 Rob Hogarth 4; Kevin Rainbow 3 Steve Webb 4.

In the semi-finals Colin Hutchinson beat Michael Rhodes 4-2, whilst Rob Hogarth beat Steve Webb 4-3, with the two beaten players collecting £15 prize money each. The next Ranking Tournament will be held in Durham Snooker Club on Sunday, 28 September with the final qualifier on Sunday, 19 October. New players entering these two and gaining good results could still qualify for the end of season tournament on a date to be arranged.

Crook League

Crook Olde Horse Shoe A had already won the First Division Championship and went into their last game at home to Willington Market with a 100per cent record. However this record went when the visitors' won by taking the last three points to win 9-5.

The Olde Horse Shoe A had singles wins from Gavin Witton, Stephen Liddle and Dave Leighton with Whitton with Leighton taking the first doubles and Liddle with Brian Johnson the second. The Market edged ahead by the odd point with singles wins from Paul Briddick, Dave Tobbell, Gary Trow, Adrian Peacock and Ian Moore. At this point the Market took over to win the last three singles as Briddick and Tobbell took their second point and Micky Toward completed the historic victory.

Crook King's Head took the runners-up spot in the Second Division, 57 points behind the Coach and Horses B, but four ahead of Howden Australian with a win at Crook Golden Fleece A. The Home side's three wins came from Simon Littlefair and Stephen Fairgrieves in the singles and then the same two players joined to take a doubles point. The King's had two wins from Stephen Dawson, David Brown, Kevin Carter and Caes must be completed for the winners to go forward to the Finals Night on Wednesday, 1 October.

Results: Crook Jelly's Bar A 7 Crook White Swan 5; Crook Travellers Rest B 13 Crook Mill House 1; Crook Queen's Head A 6 Crook Coach and Horses A 8; Crook Belle Vue 8 Crook Travellers Rest A 6; Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 5 Willington Market 9; Crook Royal Sun 4 Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 10; Crook Golden Fleece A 3 Crook King's Head 11; Willington Brewer's Droop 9 Howden Australian 5; Croft Social Club 5 Crook Queen's Head B 9; Crook Coach and Horses B 8 Crook Spitfire Club 6; Crook Surtees 12 Crook Jelly's Bar B 2; Hunwick Club 8 Crook Golden Fleece B 6. Re-arranged: Howden Australian 5 Willington Brewer's Droop 9.

Tow Law Scottish Courage League

The top of the table clash to bring the league to the halfway stage was a very one sided affair as the leaders, Tow Law Dan's Castle A only dropped two points to the visiting Sunniside Comedian, who hold second place. The Comic relied on Dave Walton for their points as he took their only singles and was joined by Morgan Errington to take their only doubles point. The Castle's singles successes came from Anthony Hird, Colin Armstrong, Ian Johnson, Lee Furber and Gary Watson.

Tow Law New Market A almost matched their best win of the season when they only dropped three points to the visiting Tow Law Rose and Crown. Adam Orton and Lee Mowbray took singles for the visitors' whilst Ivor Childs, Bill Goodall, Ian Turner and Tom Dowson put the home side ahead. The combination of Orton and Mowbray took the first doubles for the Rose and Crown but the Market completed victory by taking the last two doubles.

The leading individual players are 1st equal Dave Walton and John Conoly (Comedian), Anthony Hird (Dan's Castle A) and Lee Cullinan (Football Club) 14 wins each; Graeme Thompson (Newhouse) 13; Charlie Donaghy (Football Club), Paul and David Murray (Dan's Castle B) 12 each; Ian Turner (New Market A), Lee Stevenson (Dan's Castle B) and Lee Mowbray (Rose & Crown) 11 each.

Results: Newhouse Club 6 Tow Law New Market B 3; Tow Law Football Club 4 Tow Law Station 5; Hamilton Row Black Horse 5 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 4; Tow Law New Market A 6 Tow Law Rose and Crown 3; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 7 Sunniside Comedian 2.

Willington and District League

Willington Lion and Unicorn made a good start to the new season with a home win over Willington Burn. Stan Kyle got the visitors away to a good opening by taking the first frame, but the Unicorn replied with three in a row from Kevin Hill, Alan Lee senior and Paul Williams. Dave Griffiths senior stemmed the tide but Dave Hawkins took the final singles for the home side. The Unicorn completed their victory by taking two of the three doubles points.

Results: Willington Commercial 1 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 8; Byers Green Royal Oak 5 Hunwick Quarry 4; Willington Lion and Unicorn 6 Willington Burn 3. Prospect Club v Willington Brewer's Droop postponed.

Exhibition

Chris Melling, the Embassy World Pool Champion, will play a member of each Durham County Super League team in an exhibition evening on Tuesday, 16 September at Horden Catholic Club. Melling is an England international and a viewers favourite when he appears on television. Spectators are invited to what promises to be an exciting evening.