WILLINGTON produced their best result of the season when they beat Old Shildon.

Stan Bennett and Gordon Parkin put the home side two up but then saw Charlie Blake with a 36 break and Michael Pratt level the match. In the decider Jeremy Martin of Willington and Jossie Aldworth were tied as the pink went down but Martin potted the black to make the victory.

Witton Gilbert jumped up into second place in the First when they came through at Brandon. Brian Graham put the home side ahead with Mark Appleby levelling. Graham Jackson put in a 47 break to restore the home lead only to see Ian Renwick level. In the decider John Rooney won over Brandon's John Hall to take Witton three points behind Old Shildon.

Shotton Palms slipped to third place following their home defeat in the decider by Cockton Hill. George Chapman and Andrew Aisbitt won for the Hill with Dave Swindle and Paul Hickman replying for the Palms. In the decider the visiting Kevin Mordica beat John Armstrong.

Wheatley Hll A were never ahead at Fishburn A and went down in the decider. Brian Quest put the home side ahead with Dean Bryden knocking in a 36 break to level. Charlie Hirst restored the home lead with Dave Walker equalising. In the decider Fishburn's John Griffin put in a 34 break to beat Dennis Clish.

Newton Aycliffe made the best win of the week in the First with a success over Ferryhill. The home side's points came from Malcolm Dixon, Mark Howe, Ritchie Young, Michael Hewitt and Stuart Neil.

With Second Division leaders, Langley Park without a match, Crowtrees took the opportunity to move up to share top following a recovery at Spennymoor B. Wayne Parry and Karl McCormack put the Moors ahead with wins on the black only to see Crowtrees equalise with two wins on the black from Sonny Hann and Phil Whitfield. The black ball decider continued into the final frame where Crowtrees Sean Johnston beat Kurt McCormack.

Wheatley Hill B moved up just a point behind the joint leaders after their home win over Sherburn Village, who slip down to equal fourth with Spennymoor B. John Bower put the visitors ahead but Dave Blyth and Tony Ellison took the Hill ahead. Scott Mallaburn levelled the match but the Hill went to victory when Norman Carr beat Peter McGowan in the decider.

Meadowfield made an odd point home win over Wingate with wins from Norman Smith, Malcolm Hughes and John Jackson, whilst Alan Tupling and Dave Hammond replied for the visitors.

Stanley Central won their home game against Hunwick A by the odd point following wins from Walter Cornell, Frank Foster and Jim Dufton with Neville Blenkinsopp and Paul Atkinson replying. Billy McGrath gave Belmont a good start at Newhouse with a 34 break but the home side then took three in a row through Steve Mountain, John Maddox and Jimmy Hassen with Chris Morley taking the final point for the visitors.

West Auckland went four points clear with a maximum win over Leeholme B but then suffered a fine as their scorecard was not sent in on time. This win moved them four points ahead of Bearpark, who were without a match.

Sacriston are not four points behind Bearpark after they went down by the odd point at Durham City. The home side had wins from Eric Wright, Brian Dunn and Gary Ward with Mark Brown and Jeff Evans replying. Alan Spence put Tow Law ahead at Leeholme A but the home side took three in a row through Barry Shaw, Anthony Forster and Dave Fletcher. Arthur Henderson scored the final point for the Lawyers. Coundon went two up at home to Crook Belle Vue with wins from Micky McKerry and Graham Goulbourne only to see Ken Rider and Gordon Sample level the match. In the decider Coundon's Frank Nicholson beat Arnold Fleming.

Fishburn B's promotion hopes were dented when they went down at Hunwick B.

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

Crook League

Crook White Swan strengthened their second spot in the Second Division with an odd point home win over Crook Jelly's Bar. The Swan clinched their win in the singles when they had wins from Andrew Finch, Chris Pounder, Lee Airey and Michael Sanderson. The visitors replied with singles wins from Sean Lauder and Andrew Myers and the doubles from Michael Jewitt and Andy Palmer. Crook Olde Horse Shoe A move fourteen points ahead of the First Division, with Crook Travellers Rest B, who were without a match, one point ahead of Crook Belle Vue. In the Second Division Crook Spitfire Club lead by thirteen points from Crook White Swan, who are one point ahead of Crook Golden Fleece.

Results: Crook Mill House 4 Crook Belle Vue 3; Crook Royal Sun 2 Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 5; Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 5 Crook Coach and Horses A 2; Crook Travellers Rest A 3 Crook Queen's Head A 4; Crook Queen's Head B 4 Crook Crown 3; Crook White Swan 4 Crook Jelly's Bar 3; Crook Surtees 1 Crook Golden Fleece 6; Crook Coach and Horses B 0 Crook Spitfire Club 7.

Wothington CIU Team Knock-out Cup

There was only one match in the First Round when Newhouse entertained First Division, Brandon, who were giving away 37 points start. However the first two frames virtually sealed Brandon's fate as Ian Dinsdale extended the home lead to 78 points by winning the first and Steve Mountain widened the lead to 123 points after the second. Kevin Sample won the third frame for Brandon but only by eight points and John Hall followed with another away win. In the final frame Brian Graham of Brandon conceded to John Maddox leaving Newhouse the 280-177 winners.

Second Round draw to be played on Tuesday, January 8: Shotton Palms v Wheatley Hill B; West Auckland v Crowtrees; Old Shildon v Hunwick A; Belmont v Newton Aycliffe; Leeholme B v Sherburn Village; Durham City v Stanley Central; Spennymoor B v Willington; Newhouse v Leeholme A; Wingate v Witton Gilbert; Ferryhill v Crook Belle Vue; Tow Law v Sacriston; Bearpark v Fishburn A; Hunwick B v Spennymoor A; Coundon v Cockton Hill; Langley Park v Wheatley Hill A; Fishburn B v Meadowfield.

Curry Cup

Second round draw: George Whitelock (Fishburn B) v Brian Quest (Fishburn A); Steve Bainbridge (Coundon) v Ian Dinsdale (Newhouse); Michael Pratt (Old Shildon) v Paul Atkinson (Hunwick); Willis Joynes (Witton Gilbert) v Kevin Mordica (Cockton Hill); Frank Nicholson (Coundon) has a bye; Andrew Aisbitt (Cockton Hill) v Ian Renwick (Witton Gilbert); Jimmy Evans (Shotton Palms) v Sonny Hann (Crowtrees); Kevin Sample (Brandon) v David Walker (Wheatley Hill A).

l Matches to be completed by December 24.

Worthington CIU Handicap Singles

Second round draw: Ronnie Bateman 24 (Spennymoor) v Steven Armstrong 7 (Belmont); Stephen Hughes 20 (Meadowfield) v David Taylor 30 (Crowtrees); John Bower 18 (Sherburn Village) v Neville Blenkinsopp 28 (Hunwick); Vickers Bell 18 (Cockton Hill) v Adrian Prest 50 (Leeholme B); Peter Laverick 30 (Crowtrees) v Lawrence Jones 24 (Witton Gilbert); Andrew Sugden 14 (West Auckland) v Brian Graham 10 (Brandon); Brian Quest 16 (Fishburn A) v John Davies 35 (Durham City); Frank Nicholson 10 (Coundon) v Dean Bryden 21 (Wheatley Hill A); Raymond Coates 24 (Langley Park) v Paul Nord 14 (Langley Park); Sean Johnston 24 (Crowtrees) v Malcolm Hughes 20 (Meadowfield); David Blyth 20 (Wheatley Hill B) v Mark Appleby 21 (Witton Gilbert); Alan Greener 24 (Sherburn Village) v Norman Carr 35 (Wheatley Hill B); Ian Dinsdale 24 (Newhouse) v Chris Morley 21 (Belmont); Ian Renwick 7 (Witton Gilbert) v Stephen Coates 28 (Langley Park); Graeme Jackson 18 (Brandon) v Kevin Allison 35 (Newhouse); Mark Brown 50 (Leeholme B) receives a bye; Jimmy Evans 7 (Shotton Palms) v Michael Bower 27 (Sherburn Village); Barry Stoddart 32 (Durham City) v Eddie Rhodes 5 (Spennymoor); Sonny Hann 18 (Crowtrees) v Andrew Aisbitt Sc (Cockton Hill); Ian Roddam 24 (Ferryhill) v John Jackson 20 (Meadowfield); Scott Mallaburn 14 (Sherburn Village) v Charlie Blake 10 (Old Shildon); Mike Short 24 (Belmont) v Charlie Donaghy 28 (Tow Law); Kelvin Fletcher 14 (West Auckland) v Keith McLauchlan 18 (Crowtrees); Arnold Fleming 24 (Crook Belle Vue) v Kevin Sample 18 (Brandon); Andrew Dent 21 (West Auckland) v Paul Vickers 14 (West Auckland); Michael Pratt Sc (Old Shildon) v Jim Hassen 28 (Newhouse); Adrian Twist 27 (Sherburn Village) v Dennis Dodd 26 (Spennymoor); Alf Edwards 50 (Tow Law) v Anthony Forster 50 (Leeholme A); John Hall 10 (Brandon) v Phil Whitfield 35 (Crowtrees); Steven Bennett 14 (Old Shildon) v Kevin Mordica 10 (Cockton Hill); Owen Howarth 24 (Brandon) v Paul Atkinson Sc (Hunwick); Ian Hodgson 20 (Meadowfield) v John Hall 35 (Crowtrees).

l Results to be in by December 24.

CIU Durham Branch Championship

Quarter final draw: P. Nord (Langley Park) v P. Biddle (Spennymoor); M. Pratt (Chilton & Windlestone) v B. Shaw (Chilton & Windlestone); W. Oliver (Fishburn) v J. Bower (Sherburn Village); W. Robson (Murton Victoria) v P. Atkinson (Hunwick).

l Results to be into the Branch Office by December 29.

Worthington CIU

Singles Championship

Second round draw: Craig Hughes (Meadowfield) v David Jackson (Bearpark); Andrew Sugden (West Auckland) v Andrew Aisbitt (Cockton Hill); Andrew Dent (West Auckland) v Frank Nicholson (Coundon); Sean Johnston (Crowtrees) v Peter Laverick (Crowtrees); Paul Atkinson (Hunwick) v Brian Graham (Brandon); Malcolm Hughes (Meadowfield) v Steven Bennett (Old Shildon); Barry Shaw (Leeholme A) v Sonny Hann (Crowtrees); Paul Vickers (West Auckland) v Dennis Dodd (Spennymoor); Stephen Coates (Langley Park) v Chris Morley (Belmont); Michael Pratt (Durham City) v Vickers Bell (Cockton Hill); Mike Short (Belmont) v Gynn Toas (Ferryhill); Owen Howarth (Brandon) v Keith Mitchell (Newton Aycliffe); Adrian Twist (Sherburn Village) v Michael Pratt (Old Shildon); David Walker (Wheatley Hill A) v Brian Quest (Fishburn A); Graeme Jackson (Brandon) v Arnold Fleming (Crook Belle Vue); Tom Parkin (Willington) v Mark Appleby (Witton Gilbert); Charlie Blake (Old Shildon) has a bye; Willis Joynes (Witton Gilbert) v Kevin Sample (Brandon); George Whitelock (Fishburn B) v Kelvin Fletcher (West Auckland); Jeremy Martin (Willington) v Neville Blenkinsopp (Hunwick); Dean Bryden (Wheatley Hill A) v Russell Hancock (Belmont); Keith McLauchlan (Crowtrees) v John Bower (Sherburn Village); Stephen Hughes (Meadowfield) v Alan Hall (Wheatley Hill A); David Blyth (Wheatley Hill B) v Raymond Coates (Langley Park); Scott Mallaburn (Sherburn Village) v John Jackson (Meadowfield); Ian Renwick (Witton Gilbert) v Paul Nord (Langley Park); Gary Ward (Durham City) v Kevin Mordica (Cockton Hill); Billy Goggins (Old Shildon) v Peter McGowan (Sherburn Village); John Hall (Crowtrees) v David Geraty (West Auckland); Alan Greener (Sherburn Village) v Stephen Bainbridge (Coundon); Eddie Rhodes (Spennymoor) v Jimmy Evans (Shotton Palms); Gordon Blakelock (Belmont) v John Hall (Brandon).

l Results to be in by December 24.

Worthington CIU Pairs Championship

Second round draw: David Blyth & Tony Ellison (Wheatley Hill B) v Tom Parkin & Gordon Parkin (Willington); Billy Goggins & partner (Old Shildon) v Paul Atkinson & David Rusby (Hunwick A); Jimmy Evans & Jimmy Evans jun (Shotton Palms) v Ronnie Bateman & Paul Biddle (Spennymoor); Michael Pratt & Jossie Aldworth (Old Shildon) have a bye; Malcolm Peart & John Rooney jun (Witton Gilbert) v John Griffin & John Carter (Fishburn A); John Maddox & Ian Dinsdale (Newhouse) v Peter Laverick & Phil Whitfield (Crowtrees); Arnold Fleming & Ken Rider (Crook Belle Vue) v Glen Douthwaite & Tony Clish (Leeholme B); Jeremy Martin & Arthur Goldsborough (Willington) v Michael Pratt & Eric Wright (Durham City); Dave Walker & Alan Hall (Wheatley Hill A) v Charlie Hirst & Tommy Carter (Fishburn A); Charlie Donaghy & Doug Watson (Tow Law) v Ray Coates & Paul Morgan (Langley Park); Lawrence Jones & Willis Joynes (Witton Gilbert) v Barry Stopddart & John Davies (Durham City); Mark Brown & Adrian Prest (Leeholme B) v Alan Buist & Peter Davison (Fishburn A); Jock Frost & Steve Cave (Wheatley Hill B) v George Whitelock & Wayne Oliver (Fishburn B); John Worthington & Jack Wright (Wheatley Hill A) v Kevin Sample & Owen Howarth (Brandon); David Geraty & Andrew Dent (West Auckland) v Ian Hodgson & Malcolm Hughes (Meadowfield); Brian Graham & John Hall (Brandon) v George Chapman & Andrew Aisbitt (Cockton Hil).

l Results to be into League Secretary by December 24.