Stag's Head have the edge on Tow Law New Market B

The top of the table clash at Tow Law New Market B produced the expected tight match with Esh Stag's Head just edging through by the odd point. The visitors moved ahead in the singles with wins from Roy Brown, Tom March, John Hodgson and Mattie Walker, whilst only Sean McGrath and Stephen Umpelby won for the home side. The Stag's ensured their victory when Walker and Brown took the second doubles.

This result pushed the Stag's Head into a two points lead at the top of the table, whilst the second placed New Market B are threatened by Sunniside Comedian, Tow Law Dan's Castle, Tow Law Station and Esh McKennas, who are just a point behind.

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

Crook League

Crook Travellers Rest A were taken to the deciding doubles before they edged to victory against the visiting Crook Olde Horse Shoe A. The Travellers had singles wins from Derek Wood, John Carroll and Tony Storey with Jimmy Luke, Gerald Parkin and Gavin Witton replying. In the deciding doubles the Travellers Stephen Todd and Tony Storey beat Jimmy Luke and David Stephenson.

Crook Jelly's Bar A missed a good opportunity to close the gap on the leading Willington Market in the Second Division when they went down by the odd point at home to Crook Queen's Head A. The home side had singles wins from Norman Jones, Keith Dixon and Ray Hall with Doug Smailes, Tommy Longstaff and Peter Genner levelling the match. In the decider Phil Hall and Phil Smart from the Queen's beat Michael Jewitt and Kevin Carter.

Crook Mill House lead the First Division by three points from the Olde Horse Shoe B, who are one ahead of Crook Belle Vue. Willington Market hold a three points lead over Jelly's Bar A with Crook White Swan a further three points adrift.

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

Tow Law and

District League

Lanchester King's Head moved up to share the top spot with Tow Law North Point after they only dropped one point on their visit to Tow Law Cattle Mart. The Mart started in style with a good win from Alan Ogilvie but then the visitors took over and had wins from Rob Day, Graeme Thompson, Graham Fairish and Malcolm Clarke.

The King's Head have a match in hand on their joint leaders, Tow Law North Point, but they only hold a single point lead over Tow Law Rose and Crown. Tow Law New Market B are a further point adrift but have a match in hand.

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

CIU Pairs Championship

Preliminary round draw: J. Pearson & B. Shippen (Chilton & Windlestone) v J. Pearson & C. Spoors (Relton Terrace); B. Rowlands & K. Schofield (New Brancepeth) v S. Johnson & J. Johnson (Crowtrees); S. Scott & W. Jones (Horden Labour & Trades) v D. Houghton & I. Swales (Fishburn); P. Parker & J. Bainbridger (Shildon Elm Road) v D. Illingsworth & J. Wray (Ferryhill); J. Richardson & W. Evans (West Auckland) v R.J. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor); K. Wilkinson & H. Moore (Ferryhill) v E. Stephenson & K.Laybourn (Whitehill Park); M. Pike & G. Bell (Chilton & Windlestone) v H. Dowson & B Hindson (Fishburn); D. Smith & S. Bell (Crowtrees) v D. Gardner & C. Simpson (Cockfield); J. Singlewood & W. Briggs (West Auckland) v M. Townsend & I. Bowes (West Auckland); M. Towers & A. Tanner (Cockfield) v R. Wharton & M. Robinson (Fishburn); G. Peaden & P. Whitfield (Crowtrees) v M. McGlasham & D Park (Horden Labour and Trades); A. Beckwith & A. Gray (Stanley Empire) v B. Batey & R. Ferguson (Horden Labour and Trades); T. Wray & S. Wray (Ferryhill) v W. Cummins & T. Milburn (New Brancepeth); A. Richardson & F. Greenwood (Ferryhill) v A. Buist & R. Johnson (Fishburn); J. Miller & E. Campbell (Chilton & Windlestone) v S. Morland & M. Milburn (New Brancepeth); M. Dent & D. Dent (West Auckland) v A. Lyons & B. Milburn (Stanley Empire); G. Sennett & J. Ferguson (Horden Labour and Trades) v R. Hodgson & D. Johnson (Stanley Empire).

The following pairs will receive byes: A. Sennett, & J. Lowes (Horden Labour and Trades); P. Neary & J. Dean (Horden Labour and Trades); W. Hodgson & F. Snaith (Ferryhill); J. Knowlson & D. Scott (New Herrington); L. Milburn & R. Firby (New Brancepeth); R. Webster & J. Purvis (New Brancepeth); B. Bagshaw & B. Warnett (Fishburn); D. Thompson & J. Lockey (Fishburn); R. Allison & J. Smith (Chilton & Windlestone); J. Wilson & W. Robson (Hetton); M. Hogg & B. Smith (Hetton); G. Gray jnr & S. R Hall (Grange Villa); T. Dodd & J. Bayles (Grange Villa); J. Watson & A. Gerrens (Stanley Empire); G. Ellis & N. Barton (Stanley Empire).