Tow Law Area League: Eric Rowland of Newhouse Club reached double figures in the Captain's League when he beat Norman Brown of the visiting Tow Law Station to make his tenth consecutive victory in the ten matches played.

This has given him the top place with a three points lead over the joint second placed Esh Stag's Head and Tow Law New Market A. the remaining positions and points are 4th equal are Tow Law Dan's Castle and Tow Law New Market B 6 each; 6th equal Sunniside Comedian and Esh McKennas 5 each; 8th Tow Law Rose and Crown 4; 9th equal Tow Law Station and Cornsay Royal Oak 3 each; 11th equal Billy Row Club and Hamsteels Inn 2 each.

Billy Row Club moved up one point behind the second placed Esh McKennas, who are one behind the leaders, Esh Stag's Head, after they edged through by the odd point at home to Tow Law Dan's Castle. The Club had singles wins from Darren Hopps, Eddie Dawson, Brian Zak and Harold Parkin with Angela Suddes and Anthony Hird replying. The home side took one of the two doubles to win by the odd point.

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

Crook League

Crook Belle Vue's title chances took a dip when they only collected two points from their visit to Crook Olde Horse Shoe B, thus allowing Crook Royal Sun, who won by the odd point at Crook White Swan, to close the gap at the top to just one point.

The Olde Horse Shoe B had singles wins from Stephen Craggs, Ian Armstrong, Nigel Scott and Chris Raine, whilst John Warriner and Dave Hakin took points for the Club. The Shoe completed a good win when Jimmy Luke and Ian Armstrong beat Ian Hodkinson and Dave Hakin in the doubles.

In the Second Division Willington Brewer's Droop took over as sole leaders when they only dropped one point to the visiting Crook Surtees. This result takes the Brewer's one point ahead of Hunwick Club and seven points ahead of Crook King's Head with a match in hand on both.

John Uren was the only winner for the Surtees, whilst the Brewer's had singles wins from Trevor Alford, Billy Wragg, Ian Stoker, Vince Conaty and Jimmy Fleming with Conaty and Wragg adding the doubles.

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

Wilington League

Byers Green Royal Oak make a great start to their first season in the league when they entertained last season's runners-up, Willington Black Horse Inn and only dropped one point. This proved to be the best win of the first week of the new season with the Oak having singles wins from Alan Sheldon, Robert Kidman, Trevor Kerr and Ian Brown with Kidman with Kerr and Sheldon with Michael Hughes adding the two doubles points. The visitors' lone point came in the singles when Ian Mavin won.

Sunnybrow Brown Trout B also made their first game memorable when they beat the visiting Willington Commercial, who had to change the venue because refurbishment is not complete.

Results: Willington Club 3 Prospect Club 4; Sunnybrow Brown Trout B 5 Willington Commercial 2; Sunnybrow Brown Trout A 2 Willington Brewer's Droop 5; Willington Lion and Unicorn 5 Willington Cottles 2; Byers Green Royal Oak 6 Willington Black Horse Inn 1; Hunwick Joiners Arms 4 Willington Burn 3.

Tow Law & District League

Tow Law Dan's Castle A kept up their much improved form when they won their third consecutive match, this time at home to Tow Law New Market A. The home side were never headed as they went through to win in the decider. Gary Watson put the Castle ahead with Dale Duxfield equalising. Colin Armstrong again restored the home lead only to see Bill Goddall level. In the decider the Castle went to victory when Anthony Hird beat Stephen Laing.

Newhouse Club lost a lot of ground when they only took one point from their visit to Tow Law Station. The home side had wins from Wayne Tennant, Alan Ogilvie, Malcolm Boughey and Christopher Reed with Harry Dinsdale being the only visitor to win.

This result leaves Newhouse Club five points adrift of the leaders, Tow Law Football Club with Tow Law Dan's Castle B one point ahead of them.

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

CIU Pairs Dominoes Championship

Preliminary Round results: G. Peaden & P. Whitfield (Crowtrees) beat L. Scott & K. Chambers (Vale of Derwent); R. J. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor) beat G. Ellis & N. Barton (Stanley Empire); W. Cowey & H. Atkinson (Fishburn) beat C. Simpson & D. Gardner (Cockfield); M. Dent & D. Dent (West Auckland) lost to A. Richardson & F. Greenwood (Ferryhill); A.J. Guile & T. White (Darlington East End) lost to K. Laybourne & F. James (Whitehill Park); J. Wray & D. Illingworth (Ferryhill) beat G. Robson & R. Atkinson (Belmont); B. Warnett & B. Bagshaw (Fishburn) lost to R. Allison & J. Smith (Chilton & Windlestone); A. Stobie & W. Carter (Darlington East End) lost to J. Richardson & W. Evans (West Auckland); C.T. Hargrave & S. Burlison (Sunderland National Reserve) lost to C. Stainsby & S. Smith (Darlington); R. Wharton & M. Robinson (Fishburn) beat S. Dodds & L. Irwin (Vale of Derwent); L. McEwan & R. Bell (New Hesledon) lost to S. Wray & T. Wray (Ferryhill); A. Lithgow & T. Ward (Cockton Hill) beat A. Lyons & B. Milburn (Stanley Empire); J. Dean & P. Neary (Horden Labour & Trades) beat J. Lockey & D. Thompson (Fishburn); M. Townsend & I. Bowes (West Auckland) lost to J. Bell & R. Parkinson (Belmont); J. Miller & E. Campbell (Chilton & Windlestone) lost to G. Lowes & C. Johnson (Vale of Derwent); A. Buist & R. Johnson (Fishburn) lost to H. Moore & K. Wilkinson (Ferryhill); F. Snaith & T. Magee (Ferryhill) lost to T. Dodd & J. Bayles (Grange Villa); J. Treweeke & R. Hall (New Hesledon) lost to J. Johnson & S. Johnson (Crowtrees).

CIU 5s & 3s Individual Championship

Preliminary Round results: D. Thompson (Fishburn) lost to D. Patterson (Belmont); T. Dodd (Grange Villa) beat J. Robinson (Whitehill Park Tennants); C. Stainsby (Darlington) beat R.J. Mulroy (Middlestone Moor); G. Robson (Belmont) lost to K. Gleghorn (Catchgate Excelsior); R. Atkinson (Belmont) beat J. Pearson (Chilton & Windlestone); A. Buist (Fishburn) beat J. Bayles (Grange Villa); B. Smiles (Whitehill Park Tennants) lost to P. Dodsworth (Fishburn); G. Gray jnr (Grange Villa) lost to J. Hancock (Belmont); P. Southern (Catchgate Excelsior) lost to A.J. Guile (Darlington East End Club). There were seven byes.

C.I.U. 5's & 3's Pairs Championship

Preliminary Round results: M. Townsend & I. Bowes (West Auckland) beat D. Patterson & J. Hancock (Belmont); J. Blakie & W. Burlinson (Town End Farm) lost to S. Dodds & L. Irwin (Vale of Derwent); C. Stainsby & S. Smith (Darlington) beat J. Bell & R. Parkinson (Belmont); J. Egglestone & S. Bell (Crowtrees) lost to W. Dillon & J. Smith (Low Spennymoor & Merrington Lane); T. Dodd & S. Bowen (Grange Villa) lost to P. Southern & D. Milburn (Catchgate Excelsior); A. Tarn & E. Stephenson (Whitehill Park Tennants) beat G. Smith & D. Birchall (Fishburn); A. Richardson & F. Greenwood (Ferryhill) lost to T. Evans & R. Douthwaite (West Auckland); S. Farquhar & S. Dixon (Town End Farm) beat G. Gray jnr & S.R. Hall (Grange Villa); J. Pearson & D. Harrison (Chilton & Windlestone) lost to R.J. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor). There were 23 byes.