New Market B edge clear of Esh Stag's Head

Tow Law New Market B moved four points clear at the top of the table after they won by the odd point at title challengers, Esh Stag's Head. The singles were shared when Jim Hodgson, Mattie Walker and Michael Wightman won for the Stag's and Tom Hauxwell, Gavin Tennant and Shaun McGrath replied. The visitors clinched their victory when they took the first tow of the three doubles.

Newhouse Club still occupy second place despite losing by the odd point at home to Tow Law Cattle Mart. The Club hold a two points advantage over Tow Law New Market A, who have a match in hand, and Tow Law Rose and Crown. However, the Stag's Head cannot be written off for they only trail the leaders by nine points with two matches in hand.

The positions in the Captain's table are still close with Tow Law Rose and Crown sharing top place with Newhouse Club with 12 wins each. In 3rd place come the New Market B with 11 wins; 4 equal Hamilton Row, Stag's Head and Dan's Castle 10 each; 7 equal McKennas and the Comedian 9 each; 9 Earl Derby 8; 10 equal Royal Oak and Station 6 each; 12 New Market A 5; 13 Cattle Mart 4; 14 Moss Inn 3.

Results: Hamilton Row Black Horse 4 Tow Law Rose and Crown 5; Tow Law New Market A 6 Esh McKennas 3; Tow Law Station 6 Cornsay Royal Oak 3; Stanley Earl Derby 4 Sunniside Moss Inn 5; Tow Law Dan's Castle 5 Sunniside Comedian 4; Newhouse Club 4 Tow Law Cattle Mart 5; Sunniside Moss Inn 5 Esh McKennas 4; Esh Stag's Head 4 Tow Law New Market B 5.

Crook League

Crook Coach and Horses A lifted themselves into second place in the First Division after they only dropped one point to the visiting Crook Spitfire Club, who had Ronnie Rinaldi as their only winner. The Coach had singles wins from Paul Fiddis, Adam Martin, John Race, Eric Reynolds and Les Scott to add to the doubles win from Dickie Varley and John Race.

This victory moves the Coach four points behind the leaders, Crook Belle Vue and two points ahead of Crook Travellers Rest B.

Crook Surtees went into their home match against Crook Golden Fleece B but came out of it in third place after they had been beaten by the odd point. The Surtees had singles wins from Chris Bainbridge and Howard Trotter with Bob Heslop and John Uren adding the doubles. The Golden Fleece B went to victory with wins from Anita Howe, Brian Lonsdale, Chris Baker and Colin Howe.

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

Tow Law and District Dominoes League

Tow Law Rose and Crown clinched the League Championship when they came back from a two points deficit to beat their hosts at Tow Law New Market A in the decider. Phil Spencer and Terry Taylor put the New Market A ahead but then the visitors took over with Gavin Hammell and Chris Bowes levelling. In the decider Lee Mowbray clinched the title for the Rose and Crown when he beat Goff Bramfitt.

Tow Law North Point failed in their bid to land the runners-up spot when they went down by the odd point to the visiting Tow Law New Market B. The visitors had singles wins from Michael Bell, Gavin Tennant and Ray Weir, whilst Paul Graham and Gary Watson won for the Point.

Results: Hamilton Row Black Horse 2 Sunniside Comedian 3; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 3 Esh Football Club 2; Tow Law Football Club 4 Tow Law Cattle Mart 1; Tow Law Dan's Castle B 2 Esh Football Club 3; Tow Law North Point 2 Tow Law New Market B 3; Tow Law New Market A 2 Tow Law Rose and Crown 3; Lanchester King's Head Tow Law Dan's Castle B .

Willington and

District League

Ithe top of the table clash between the unbeaten teams, Willington Lion and Unicorn made a three points victory over the visiting Willington Brewer's Droop B despite losing the first game. Jimmy Fleming gave the Brewer's a good start but the Unicorn then took over with wins from Donald Young, Paul Williams, Paul King and Alan Lee junior. This results leaves the Brewer's B at the top by two points but the second placed Lion and Unicorn have a match in hand and a one-point advantage over the third placed Prospect Club.

Results: Willington Cottles B 3 Willington Black Horse Tavern 2; Willington Lion & Unicorn 4 Willington Brewer's Droop B 1; Hunwick Quarry Burn 2 Willington Commercial 1; Willington Brewer's Droop A 4 Hunwick Club 1.