Ferryhill off to a flyer

Summer League

Ferryhill made a great start to the summer season and showed they intend to make amends for their relegation from the winter First Division when they were pipped by a fluked pink at home to the reigning champions, Old Shildon. Steven Bennett and Charlie Blake put Old Shildon off to a two points lead. However Ferryhill fought back to level with wins from Adrian Jones and Glyn Toas. In the decider Steve Wray faced the visiting captain, Jossie Aldworth and just lost when the Old Shildon played attempted a double on the pink and managed to put it in after the ball had travelled three times across the table.

Brandon were taken to the decider at home to Witton Gilbert before edging home to victory. Graham Jackson and John hall put Brandon ahead only to see Ian Renwick and Paul Nord level. In the decider Brandon's Brian Graham beat John Rooney senior.

Only John Wilson managed to take a point for Spennymoor A at home to Shotton Palms, who had wins from Paul Hickman, Barry Hall, John Armstrong and Jimmy Evans.

Both Willington and Newton Aycliffe suffered whitewash reversals in their respective away matches at Wheatley Hill A and Fishburn A. The Hill's winners were Dave Walker, Alan Hall, Dean Bryden, Ronnie Peacock and Dennis Clish. Fishburn's point scorers were Charlie Hirst, Wayne Oliver, who hit the top break of the first week with a 53 contribution, John Carter, John Griffin and Brian Quest.

Fishburn B's introduction to the Second Division away to Newhouse began well when they went two up through Winston Hodgson and Michael Bell. However Newhouse levelled with wins from Jimmy Hassen and John Maddox and then clinched victory when Steve Mountain beat George Whitelock on the black.

Meadowfield made a good home win over Spennymoor B with wins from Malcolm Hughes, Stephen Hughes with a 39 break and John Jackson whilst the Moors replied through Wayne Parry and Kevin Riley.

Sherburn Village only dropped one point to the visiting Langley Park, who had Kevin Keers as their scorer. The home side had points from Adrian Twist, Peter McGowan, Alan Greener and Scott Mallaburn.

Dave Blyth put Wheatley Hill B ahead at Crook Belle Vue but the home side then took over with points from Harold Lomax, Gordon Sample, John Warriner and Arnold Fleming.

Stanley Central opened their season with a point from Harold Grimes in their home match against Durham City. The visitors then took over and never dropped another point as Gary Ward, Michael Pratt, Barry Stoddart and Eric Wright all won.

In the Third Division, league newcomers, New Durham made a good start in front of a full house when they beat the visiting Sacriston by the odd point. Gordon Bowes, Thomas Cairns and Peter Garr won for the newcomers with Mark Brown and Alan Richardson taking points for the visitors.

Crowtrees took the first three points at home to Coundon when Keith McLauchlan, Sonny Hann and Sean Johnston won. Coundon made the score respectable when Frank Nicholson and Micky McKerry replied.

There was a shock result in the Leeholme Derby when the B team came through to win by the odd point. The A team had points from Ian North and Lawrence Jones, whilst the B team's victory came from wins by Karl Thompson, Ray Gill and John Taylor.

Hunwick only managed one point at home to Wingate when John Bate won. The visitors points came from Geoff Howe, John Mason, Dave Hammond and Jimmy Hennessey.

Results: New Durham 3 Sacriston 2; Leeholme A 2 Leeholme B 3; Meadowfield 3 Spennymoor B 2; Fishburn A 5 Newton Aycliffe 0; Ferryhill 2 Old Shildon 3; Crowtrees 3 Coundon 2; Crook Belle Vue 4 Wheatley Hill B 1; Wheatley Hill A 5 Willington 0; Brandon 3 Witton Gilbert 2; Hunwick 1 Wingate 4; Stanley Central 1 Durham City 4; Sherburn Village 4 Langley Park 1; Newhouse 3 Fishburn B 2; Spennymoor A 1 Shotton Palms 4.