Bishop Auckland and District League

Crook Olde Horse Shoe will meet Tow Law Station in the Final of the League Knock Out Cup after both had similar victories in their semi-finals. The Shoe beat the visiting Bishop Auckland Snooker Club B for the loss of only two points, whilst the Station had a similar success when they visited Bishop Auckland Football Club.

At Bishop Auckland Football Club the first pairing saw Tony Lambert of the home side share the points with Andrew Burrows. The second pairing produced a similar result between the home side's Lee Taylor and Steven Maughan. The visiting Tommy Sloan then beat Lee Diaz in both frames with David Craggs taking the next two against the footballers, Craig Lumley. Malcolm Umpelby completed the Station's victory. A replica pattern came at the Olde Horse Shoe with Gerald Parkin sharing the first two points with the Snooker Club's Chris peacock. Steve Hunter of the Shoe and Paul Willey then shared the next pair of points. From there the home side took over with two points from Gavin Witton as he beat Michael Hoggart, two for Stephen Liddle when he beat Kevin Stewart and the final point for Cliff Owen against Steve Balanaves.

In the re-arranged league matches Spennymoor Ashtree went down at home by three points to the visiting Henknowle Manor House.

In the other match Bishop Auckland RAFA Club moved out of the bottom two when they beat the visiting Bishop Auckland Cumberland Arms by five points. This leaves Ferryhill Greyhound just above the Cumberland at the foot of the table.

Tow Law League

Tow Law New Market A severely dented the title chances of the visiting Tow Law North Point when they won by the odd point. The visitors only had singles wins from Gary Watson and Colin Armstrong, whilst Terry Taylor, Dale Duxfield, Goff Bramfitt and John Wilson won for the Market. The home side reached a certain winning score when Stephen Laing and Ivor Childs took the first doubles, whilst the Point fought back to take the last two doubles points.

This defeat for the North Point leaves them only one point ahead of Tow Law Dan's Castle A, who have two matches in hand, and Tow Law Football Club, who have one match in hand. Tow Law Football Club faced the difficult match at Sunniside Comedian but came through to win in the deciding doubles.

The Comedian had singles wins from Ray Johnson, John Conley and John Hildreth with Charlie Donaghy, Les Hind and Jim Day levelling. The first two doubles were shared but the footballers went to victory when Keith Muse and Charlie Donaghy beat Bill Railton and John Hildreth in the decider.

Results: Tow Law Cattle Mart 2 Tow Law New Market B 7; Tow Law Rose and Crown 6 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 3; Esh Football Club 6 Hamilton Row Black Horse 3; Sunniside Comedian 4 Tow Law Football Club 5; Tow Law New Market A 5 Tow Law North Point 4. Tow Law Dan's Castle A v Lanchester King's Head postponed.

CIU Title play-off

The reigning champions, Ferryhill lost their title when they went down in the decider to Cokton Hill in the Championship play-off at Chilton and Windlestone Club.

The first frame was a very cagey affair in the early stages but Steve Webster of Ferryhill looked to have put himself in a winning position but Russell Place took advantage of a slip and pulled off a very good clearance. Ferryhill levelled the match when Steve Wray came through to beat Dennis Race.

Billy Steele restored the Cockton Hill lead with a good win over Joe Wray but Ferryhill equalised when Derek Taylor beat Peter Race. With the Championship being decided in the final frame there was a lot of tension in the room. Terry Wray of Ferryhill went for game first and got down to the black, but twice missed attempted doubles. Colin Britton settled down and took advantage of the missed blacks to go in and clear his last five reds and the black to give Cockton Hill the title.

Durham League

Ifirst week of the new season two teams hit double figures. League champions Durham snooker club beat the visiting Woodmans Durham 10-3.

Snooker clubs winners with two wins were Colin Hutchinson, Michael Rhodes and Chris Beswick, one win each for Dave Jones, Gary Carr, Nick Veuger and Dave Harrison. Woodman replied with singles from John Mavin and Frank Powell, Lee Mavin took the captains.

In the local Bowburn Derby Hare & Greyhound went one better when they beat their hosts Oak Tree 11-2. Winners for the Hare & Greyhound with two wins were David Hann, Ray Miller, Neil Hunter and Colin Baron, one win each for Brian Hann and Gary Maughan. David Hann made it a hat trick of wins when he also took the captains game. Oak Trees only winners were Barry Taylor and Clive Macfeggan.

Other results: Daisy Hill Sacriston 4 Stateside Consett 9,Flass Ushaw Moor 5 Catholic Club Ushaw Moor 8,White Tun Witton Gilbert 4 Marquis of Granby Framwellgate Moor 9(Graham Comerford had three wins for the Marquis),Coxhoe Wmc 8 Winnings Ushaw Moor 5,McKennas Esh Winning 5 Cooperage Bowburn 8,(Mick McCleary had three wins for the Cooperage),DLI Durham 6 Three Horse Shoes Durham 7.

Players with eight ball clearances on their first visit to the table were David Hodgson and Graham Comerford (both Marquis),Gary Maughan (Hare & Greyhound) and Michael Rhodes (Snooker Club).

Crook B continued their winning streak when they beat their hosts Shildon 8-6. This result puts them 16 points behind second placed Shildon with two games in hand.Crook B had two wins from Gavin Witton, Les Scott and Cliffy Owens,one win each from Darren Tinkler and David Stephenson. Shildon replied with two wins from Paul Armstrong and Andrew Tennant,one win each from Martin Taylor and Rance Richardson.

Ferryhill entertained Durham B and the two sides could not be seperated as the match finished 7-7.Ferryhill had two wins from Steve Webster and Terry Wray,one win each from Ronnie McAloon,Chris Murray and Martin Short.Durham B replied with two wins from Michael Rhodes,Andy Seal and Nick Veuger,one win for David Hodgson.Durham B are six points behind Shildon with a game in hand.

Durham A beat the visiting Aycliffe A 9-5.Durham A had two wins from Ian Staines, Dave Ferguson and Paul Shutt one win each for Barry Dowson, Ben Bowen and Dave Neill. Aycliffe A replied with two wins from Dave Bromley with two eight ball clearances and one win each from Craig Poskett,Christopher Mason and Johnny Mason.

Newcomers and league leaders Horden continue to dominate the league with a 12-2 win over the visiting Consett.This puts them seventeen points in front of Shildon with a game in hand.

John Bourne of Horden leads the player of the year standings on 24 wins.