Worthington CIU

Winter League

At Last! After 18 consecutive defeats, Leeholme B finally managed a victory when they came through to take the decider at Durham City. Leeholme started well with wins from Gary Golightly and Brian Harrison but the home side levelled through Gary Ward and John Davies. In the decider Leeholme's Mark Brown played a captain's part to beat Brian Dunn.

In the top match of the week Wheatley Hill A were never headed by the visiting Cockton Hill as both aimed for the First Division runners-up spot as Old Shildon had already clinched the title. Dennis Clish put the home side ahead with George Chapman levelling. Alan Hall restored the home lead but Lee Taylor pulled Cockton Hill level again. In the decider Wheatley Hill's Dave Walker beat Peter Race, who was making his debut for the visitors.

Meadowfield recovered from last week's crunching defeat at Wingate to pull back to the top of the Second Division after they only dropped one point at home to Belmont, who had Mick Short as their only point scorer. The home points came from Ian Hodgson, John Jackson, Malcolm Hughes and Stephen Hughes with a 37 break.

Sherburn Village lost in the decider at Stanley Central but still share the Second Division top spot with Meadowfield. Walter Cornell put the Central ahead but then Adrian Twist and Scott Mallaburn scored for Sherburn. Frank Foster put in a 36 break to level the scores and Jim Dufton took Stanley to victory when he beat Alan Greener. This means that Meadowfield and Sherburn just need two points from their last game to be certain of promotion.

The top match in the Third Division saw the joint leaders meet at Bearpark with West Auckland recovering from a poor start to win in the decider. Glen Morton and David Jackson put Bearpark two up but West levelled with wins from David Geraty and Andrew Dent. In the decider West's Andrew Sugden beat Shaun Easter on the black.

Newton Aycliffe failed to ease their serious relegation problems when they went down by the odd point at Fishburn A. Wayne Oliver and John Griffin won for the home side with John Briddick and Mark Howe levelling. In the decider Fishburn's Brian Quest beat Bill Barrigan to leave Newton Aycliffe next to the already relegated Ferryhill and one point behind Willington.

Only Gordon Parkin won for Willington at home to Spennymoor A, who had wins from Paul Biddle, Ronnie Bateman, Dennis Dodd and John Wilson.

Wingate are proving the destroyers of the Second Division title challengers for they only dropped one point at Langley Park, who had Ray Coates as their only winner. The Wingate points scorers were Dave Hammond, Jim Hennessey, Dave Carter and Geoff Howe. This leaves the Park relying on others losing to have a chance of promotion.

Old Shildon were never headed on their trip to Shotton Palms after Billy Goggins put them ahead. Jimmy Evans levelled the match only to see Michael Pratt restore the Shildon lead. Dave Swindle again levelled but in the decider Shildon's Charlie Blake beat Barry Hall.

Ferryhill came close to making their second win of the season when they visited Brandon. Mark Wilson and Gary Pennington won for Ferryhill with Brian Graham and John Hall replying. In the decider Graham Jackson took Brandon to victory by beating Ian Roddam.

Newhouse ended their relegation worries when they only dropped tne point to the visiting Crowtrees in the Second Division. Sonny Hann put the visitors ahead but then Newhouse took over with wins from Steve Mountain, John Maddox, Jimmy Hassen and Ian Dinsdale.

Spennymoor B made an odd point home win over Hunwick A with points from Alan Rowell, Phil Wilson and Kevin Riley. Hunwick's reply came from Ian Richardson and Paul Atkinson, who put in a 30 break.

Hunwick B produced a better result at home to Crook Belle Vue, who failed to register a point for the first time this season. The home team had wins from Dave Penman, Tom Ward, Trevor Lomax, Trevor Cook and Barrie Fleming.

Coundon went close to making a whitewash win over the visiting Sacriston when they took the first four points through Frank Nicholson, Dennis Payne, John Paul Wringe and Gary Golbourn. However Alan Richardson stepped up to prevent the maximum defeat.

Leeholme A were never headed by the visiting Fishburn B. Ray Gill put the home side ahead with Winston Hodgson equalising. Darren Fletcher restored the home lead only to see Alan Wilson level. In the decider Leeholme's Barry Shaw beat Alan Buist.

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