Tow Law Area League: Tow Law New Market B held on to their top spot despite losing by the odd point on their visit to Hamilton Row Black Horse.

The Horse raced into a three-nil lead with singles wins from Barry Sims, Pat Elliott and Steve Wilkie. However the visitors took the next three to level with wins from Stephen Umpelby, Phil Spencer and Doris Elsbury. The home side clinched victory by taking the first two of three doubles points.

The second placed Sunniside Comedian also lost by the odd point against the visiting neighbours from the Moss Inn. The only singles wins for the Moss came from Frank Jopling and Lol Cullinan, whilst the Comic went ahead with wins from Dave Thompson, Bill Railton, Alan Reilly and Bob Peacock. However the Moss went through to victory by taking all three doubles points.

Newhouse Club jumped into second place with a big win at Tow Law Station with the Comedian in third place three points adrift. However Esh Stag's Head are only eight points behind the league leaders with two matches in hand.

Results: Tow Law New Market A 7 Cornsay Royal Oak 2; Tow Law Dan's Castle 5 Esh McKenna's 4; Tow Law Station 1 Newhouse Club 8; Stanley Earl Derby 5 Tow Law Rose and Crown 4; Esh Stag's Head 6 Tow Law Cattle Mart 3; Sunniside Comedian 4 Sunniside Moss Inn 5; Hamilton Row Black Horse 5 Tow Law New Market B 4.

Willington and

District League

Willington Brewer's Drop B moved up to share the top spot with Hunwick Club after they beat their A team for the loss of only one point. Jimmy Martin took the first point for the Brewer's A but from there the B team took over with wins from Sheila Britton, Vince Conaty, Jimmy Fleming and Tony Greensmith.

Sunnybrow Brown Trout slipped down to third place after they were beaten by the odd point at home to the leading Hunwick Club. Sid Richardson put the Trout ahead but Dave Thompson levelled. Rita Welsh restored the home lead only to see Ian Richardson equalise. In the decider, Hunwick's Paul Maddison beat Ian Stoker.

Results: Hunwick Quarry Burn 3 Prospect Club 2; Willington Cottles B 2 Willington Cottles A 3; Willington Commercial 3 Willington Black Horse Tavern 2; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2 Hunwick Club 3; Willington Brewer's Droop B 4 Willington Brewer's A 1.

CIU Pairs Championship

Second round results: G. Gray jnr & S. R Hall (Grange Villa) beat B. Batey & R. Ferguson (Horden Labour and Trades); D. Illingworth & J. Wray (Ferryhill) lost to S. Johnson & J. Johnson (Crowtrees); L. Milburn & R. Firby (New Brancepeth) lost to R. Wharton & M. Robinson (Fishburn); D. Thompson & J. Lockey (Fishburn) beat W. Cummins & T. Milburn (New Brancepeth); W. Hodgson & F. Snaith (Ferryhill) lost to J. Miller & E. Campbell (Chilton & Windlestone); R. Allison & J. Smith (Chilton & Windlestone) beat M. Dent & D. Dent (West Auckland); T. Dodd & J. Bayles (Grange Villa) beat R.J. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor); K. Wilkinson & H. Moore (Ferryhill) beat A. Buist & R. Johnson (Fishburn).

Crook League

Crook Travellers Rest B lost their top spot in the First Division after losing in the decider to the visiting third placed, Crook Spitfire Club, who slipped to fourth place despite their win. Crook Belle Vue took over at the top, one ahead of the Travellers B, with the Coach and Horses A moving one point behind and one ahead of the Spitfire.

The Travellers Rest B had singles wins from Aaron Cowan, Michael Burke and Bill Fairhurst with the Spitfire Club levelling with wins from Harry Tait, Rob Grayson and Eddie Phillipson. In the deciding doubles, Brian Harrison and Rob Grayson beat the Travellers pair of Neil Campbell and Aaron Cowan.

In the Second Division's top of the table clash, Crook Queen's Head B moved two points ahead of their hosts Cook Surtees with a victory in the decider. Howard Trotter, Bob Heslop and Chris Bainbridge won singles for the Surtees with Malcolm Gibson, Carl Bushby and Dave Hutchinson levelling. In the decider Stephen Gibson and Dave Hutchinson took the Queen's to victory by beating Dickie Allison and John Uren. This leaves the Surtees two points clear of the joint third placed teams from Willington Market and Crook Golden Fleece B.

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

Willington League

The Prospect Club, who are the reigning champions, edged their way back up the table to fourth spot after they beat the visiting Willington Commercial by three points.

The Prospect had singles wins from Keith Hirst, Wilf Sharpe and Tommy McAloon, whilst Jean Swain and Barry Robinson replied. The Prospect completed a good win when they took both doubles through Tommy and Gillian McAloon and Wilf Sharpe with Paul Morris.

Willington Black Horse Tavern lead the table by one point from Willington Black Horse Inn, who are two points ahead of Sunnybrow Brown Trout, whilst the Prospect are a further point adrift.

Results: Willington Black Horse Inn 3 Hunwick Quarry Burn 4; Victoria Club 3 Willington Burn 4; Willington Club 3 Willington Cottles 4; Willington Lion and Unicorn 3 Willington Black Horse Tavern 4; Willington Brewer's Droop 5 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2; Prospect Club 5 Willington Commercial 2.

Tow Law & District League

Tow Law Rose and Crown strengthened their grip on the top of the table after they only dropped one point on their visit to former leaders, Tow Law North Point. Only Paul Graham managed to win for the Point, whilst the visitors had wins from Steven Todd, Lee Mowbray, Gavin Hammell and Derek Mowbray. This victory pushed the Rose and Crown seven points clear of Lanchester King's Head, who have a match in hand and a one point lead over Tow Law North Point.

Tow Law New Market B lead the Captain's table by one point from Lanchester King's Head with the Rose and Crown a further point adrift. Tow Law New Market A have eleven points, one behind the Rose and Crown. The remaining points totals are Hamilton Row Black Horse, Tow Law Football Club and Sunniside Comedian with 10 each; the North Point and Dan's Castle B have 9 each; the Cattle Mart have 9; Dan's Castle A have 4, whilst Esh Football Club are bottom with 3 points.

Results: Tow Law Football Club 4 Esh Football Club 1; Tow Law New Market A 2 Tow Law Dan's Castle A 3; Lanchester King's Head 5 Tow Law Cattle Mart 0; Hamilton Row Black Horse 2 Tow Law New Market B 3; Tow Law North Point 1 Tow Law Rose and Crown 4