Tennis World Middlesbrough and Puma Sunderland are now joint leaders in the Northern Division of the NEPL. They have eight points each from two fixtures.

The Teesside Club expected a tough match with visiting Academy from Harrogate and came through by 37 games to 31 with rubbers tied at two-all. Yorkshire County players Doug Keen and David Drake were unbeaten for a Academy while the home town's pairs won one each.

Home captain Nigel Beavers teamed up with Brent Parker recently returned to the North-East, for his first match in the league, while Andrew Deeley needed a different partner in Kevin Rudd with Nick Osborne in the USA and Mark Franklin unavailable. The former duo lost no games in their rout of the visitors' second couple as the latter partnership lost in straight sets to Drake and Keen. But Tennis World had a four-games advantage at the interval.

A much tighter second half saw Deeley and enjoy success. Likewise Beavers and Parker made Drake and Keen fight for their 6-3 7-5 win and this acquired enough games to maintain their team's advantage.

Tennis World 3 (37), Academy 2 (31).

Nigel Beavers and Brent Parker lost to David Drake and Doug Keen 3-6 5-7; beat Rob Taylor and Richard Whiteley 6-0 6-0.

Andrew Deeley and Kevin Rudd lost to Drake and Keen 3-6 1-6; beat Taylor and Whiteley 6-1 7-5.

Puma Sunderland meanwhile had a 3-1 win at home to North Yorkshire. The visitors Kevin Rowley of Great Ayton and Steven Preston of Nunthorpe played two long three setters beating the Wearsider second couple but losing to the first. That pair Graham Fowler and Steven Baker won twice for Pumas.

Puma Sunderland 3, North Yorkshire 1.

Steven Baker and Graham Fowler beat Kevin Rowley and Steven Preston 3-6 7-6 6-2, beat Don Lilliston and Geoff Snowdon 6-1 6-1.

Colin Dimmock and Ian Lumley lost to Rowley and Preston 2-6 6-1 3-6 beat Lillistown and Snowdon 6-4 7-5.