Tow Law New Market B slipped down to fourth place after they went down by three points at Esh McKenna's.

The visitors went two up with singles wins from Doris Elsbury and Stephen Umpelby but then the Esh team took over to take the remaining singles through Joe Starr, Eric Starr, Alan Hennigan and Dave Metcalfe. McKenna's completed their good win by taking the first two of the three doubles.

Esh Stag's Head odd point defeat at Hamilton Row Black Horse meant that Tow Law Station, who won by the odd point at Tow Law Dan's Castle, were able to move up to share the top spot. However this pair only lead Newhouse Club by one point and Tow Law New Market B by two points.

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

Tow Law and

District League

The winning streak and the top spot returned to Tow Law Rose and Crown after they only dropped one point to the visiting Tow Law Cattle Mart. The visitors took the first point with a win from Marc Williams but the Rose and Crown took the rest with wins from Gavin Hammell, Steven Todd, Chris Bowes and John Mudd.

Hamilton Row Black Horse managed to maintain their sights on the leading tams after they only dropped one point on their visit to Tow Law New Market A, who had dale Duxfield as their only winners. The points for the Horse came from Frazer Armstrong, Pat Elliott, Jim Christelow and Barry Sims.

Tow Law North Point slipped from pole position when they only collected one point from their visit to Sunniside Comedian. The home side looked to be on their way to a whitewash success when Keith Race, John Conley, Bill Railton and Morgan Errington took the first four points. However Colin Armstrong took the final point to avert the Point's total embarrassment.

Tow Law Rose and Crown now lead by a point from Lanchester King's Head with Tow Law North Point a further point adrift.

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

Willington League

Willington Black Horse Tavern made use of their singles success to hold on to win by the odd point on their visit to Willington Commercial. The home side had singles wins from Dessie Ayre and Lenny Glasper but the Tavern went ahead when Dave Hawkins, Aynsley Rainbow and Peter Taylor took singles points. The Tavern clinched their victory when Laurie Norman and Dave Hawkins took the first doubles, but the home side kept the score respectable when Mary Walton and Dessie Ayre took the final doubles.

Hunwick Quarry Burn are the early one point league leaders with the Black Horse Tavern, the Black Horse Inn and Cottles all sharing second place.

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

Crook League

Isecond qualifying round of the League singles and doubles championships two entries won their way to the finals night. The two successful singles players were Ivor Phillipson of Crook Belle Vue and Ian Bibby of Crook Mill House. The qualifiers from the doubles competition were Dave and Louise Blair of Crook Queen's Head B and Dave Hakin and John Warriner of Crook Belle Vue.