Worthington Durham County CIU League

Shotton Palms pulled off the shock of the week when they beat the leaders, Spennymoor A by the odd point on their host's own table. This was only the second defeat for the Moors but their lead of four points was not cut as Old Shildon, in second place, suffered a similar fate at Brandon, whilst third placed, Wheatley Hill A only collected one point at Cockton Hill to stay a further six points adrift.

John Armstrong gave the Palms a good start but then Paul Biddle and Paul Atkinson moved Spennymoor A ahead. Paul Hickman raised his game to beat Eddie Rhodes, who is having a good season for the Moors. In the decider, the visiting Barry hall beat Karl Welsh.

Old Shildon went one up at Brandon with a win from Billy Goggins but the home side moved in front with wins from John Hall and Brian Graham. Michael Pratt levelled the match but Brandon edged to victory when Kevin Sample beat Jossie Aldworth in the decider.

Only Dave Walker managed to take a point for Wheatley Hill A when they visited Cockton Hill and this cost them any real chance of overtaking the leaders. The home side had wins from Harold Lomax, George Chapman, Kevin Mordica and Andrew Aisbitt with a 46 break.

Fishburn A only took one point from their visit to Witton Gilbert when John Griffin won. The home side gained valuable points in their relegation struggle with wins from Ken Davison, John Rooney senior, Willis Joynes and Ian Renwick.

Willington went two up at home to Sherburn Village with wins from Arthur Goldsborough and Jeremy Martin only to see Alan Greener and Scott Mallaburn level the match. In the decider, Sherburn's Peter McGowan beat Stan Bennett on the black.

In the Second Division both Wingate and Bearpark look certain to be promoted with the only doubt being which one will take the title. Both teams extended the gap at the top when they both recorded whitewash home wins. Wingate beat Spennymoor B with points from John Bourne, Jimmy Mason, Steve Allen, Geoff Howe and Joe Hennessey. Bearpark's home points against Langley Park came from Alan Smith, Shaun Easter, David Jackson, Glen Morton and Alan Donaldson. Thse results leave Wingate two points ahead of Bearpark.

Newhouse are in third place in the Second Division but fell out of the title race when they went 14 points behind Bearpark after only collecting a single point on their visit to Belmont. Steve Mountain was the only visiting winner, whilst Chris Morley, Barry Robinson, Colin Robinson and Willy Bentham won for the home side.

Wheatley Hill B won their fourth match from the last six after losing the first nine in the league when they beat the visiting Crowtrees A in the decider to try to recover from a relegation spot. Ken Johnson and David Blyth put the Hill ahead but Sonny Hann and Peter Laverick equalised. In the decider the Hill's Steve Cave beat Sean Johnston.

Ferryhill failed to fulfil their fixture at Stanley Central and have been fined three points, a factor which could pull them into a serious threat of relegation.

Hunwick B pulled out all the stops when they entertained Sacriston, who were hoping for a victory, which would take them above Coundon, who did not have a match, at the top of the Third Division. The home side whitewashed the title challengers with clear-cut wins from John Bate, Barry Fleming, David Penman, Trevor Lomax and Tom Ward. This leaves Sacriston two points behind Coundon, who have a match in hand.

Durham City moved two points behind Sacriston after they only dropped one point at Leeholme B, who had Ray Gill as their only winner. The Durham team had wins from Gary Ward, Eric Wright, Michael Pratt and Brian Dunn.

New Durham moved four points behind Durham City with a match in hand after they only dropped one point to the visiting Tow Law. The home side looked to be on their way to a whitewash success when they had wins from Gordon Bowes, Thomas Cairns, Kevin Scullion and Brian Birks but Ernie McEleavey capped a good performance to take the final frame for the Lawyers.

Crook Belle Vue went two up at Fishburn B with wins from John Warriner and Ken Rider but the home side levelled with wins from Winston Hodgson and John Hodgson. In the decider, Fishburn's George Whitelock beat Eric Lockerbie. The Belle Vue team were without Derek Potts, who is in hospital following two stokes. His colleagues, all the players in the league and the officials send their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Crowtrees B recorded their best victory in their first season in the league when they only dropped one point to the visiting Leeholme A. The visitors went ahead when Lawrence Jones took the first frame but Billy Edwards, Dave Taylor, Martin Wolf and John Hall took the remaining frame for the home side.

* The League's Presentation Evening will be held at Spennymoor on Saturday, May 17. Once again a sell-out is guaranteed so delegates are asked to book their tickets at the meeting on Thursday, March 27 and then collect and pay for them at the meeting on April 24.

Results: New Durham 4 Tow Law 1; Willington 2 Sherburn Village 3; Crowtrees B 4 Leeholme A 1; Belmont 4 Newhouse 1; Brandon 3 Old Shildon 2; Fishburn B 3 Crook Belle Vue 2; Bearpark 5 Langley Park 0; Cockton Hill 4 Wheatley Hill A 1; Leeholme B 1 Durham City 4; Wheatley Hill B 3 Crowtrees A 2; Spennymoor A 2 Shotton Palms 3; Hunwick B 5 Sacriston 0; Wingate 5 Spennymoor B 0; Witton Gilbert 4 Fishburn A 1; Meadowfield v Newton Aycliffe no result.

Worthington CIU Summer League

The new season will begin on Tuesday, May 6 when there are vacancies from any team playing from CIU affiliated premises. The league operates three divisions and a team knock out cup competition as well as a singles championship, doubles championship and a handicap singles. Each league match is the best of five frames played by five players.

Any team interested in joining should telephone 01388 730444 for answers to any queries or to leave their names and addresses to receive an entry form. The form must be presented at the league meeting in Meadowfield Club on Thursday, March 27, at 7.30pm.

Curry Cup

The date of the Final between Dave Walker of Wheatley Hill and Ian Renwick of Witton Gilbert has had to be changed. It will now take place at Durham City on Wednesday, April 9 at 7.30pm. The best of five frames match will refereed by Alan Greener of Sherburn Village.

Crook League

The Final of the League Doubles Championship will be between Gavin Witton and Brian Johnson of Crook Olde Horse Shoe and Neil Campbell and Lee Taylor of Crook Travellers Rest B.

In the semi-finals Witton and Johnson beat Kevin Carter and Carl Maddison of Crook King's Head, whilst Campbell and Taylor beat Ian Bibby and Alan Saville of Crook Mill House.

Worthington CIU Winter Handicap Singles

Quarter finals draw: Michael Pratt -4 (Old Shildon) v Graeme Jackson 18 (Brandon); Karl Thompson 45 (Leeholme A) v Michael Bell 40 (Fishburn B); Stephen Coates 28 (Langley Park) v John Hall 12 (Brandon); Peter McGowan 24 (Sherburn Village) v Keith McLauchlan 16 (Crowtrees A). Results to be to the secretary together with choices of semi-final dates by 10pm on Monday, March 24