Tow Law and District League - Tow Law New Market B had their lead cut to just one point when they went down by the odd point to the visiting Tow Law Cattle Mart.

The Mart cruised into a three points lead with wins from Alan Ogilvie, Mark Williams and Wayne Tennant. The home side recovered to make the score respectable and retain their top place with wins from Ray Weir and Jim Day.

Tow Law Station edged through at home by the odd point when games went with the down against Tow Law Rose and Crown. Eddie Smith put the home side ahead with Gavin Hammell levelling. Malcolm Umpelby restored the Station's lead only to see Chris Bowes equalise. In the decider Michael Bell took the Station to victory by beating Derek Mowbray.

This win leaves the Station in second place, four points ahead of Hamilton Row Black Horse.

Results: Hamilton Row Black Horse 3 Tow Law New Market A 2; Sunniside Comedian 5 Tow Law Black Horse B 1; Tow Law Station 3 Tow Law Rose and Crown 2; Tow Law New Market B 2 Tow Law Cattle Mart 3.

Willington League

Willington Club made a comprehensive home win over the Willington Black Horse Inn to hold on to a share of the leadership.

The Club had singles wins from Wilf Coney, Alan Walker and Michael Irwin with the Horse replying through Shaun Parkinson and Paul Allchurch. The father and son team of Alan and Colin Walker together with a win from Scott Little and Paul Tulip put the home side in a safe position and Michael Irwin clinched a good win when he beat Paul Allchurch in the captain's game.

The Prospect Club won by two points at the Commercial to stay in equal top spot, with Sunnybrow Brown Trout trailing by three points, but one ahead of Hunwick Quarry Burn.

Results: Hunwick Quarry Burn 5 Willington Lion and Unicorn 3; Willington Commercial 3 Prospect Club 5; Hunwick Joiners Arms 3 Victoria Club 5; Willington Brewer's Droop 5 Willington Burn 3; Willington Club 6 Willington Black Horse Inn 2; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 6 Willington Cottles 2.

Crook League

Crook Golden Fleece moved up third place in the Second Division when they edged through to an odd point victory at Crook Queen's Head B. The home side had singles points from Malcolm Gibson and David Blair with Anthony Palin and Malcolm Gibson adding the doubles point. The Crook Golden Fleece went through to their slender victory with singles points from Paul Futter, Brian Lonsdale, Corinne Heslop and Aaron Cowan.

Crook Spitfire Club lead the Second Division by two points from Crook White Swan and Crook Jelly's Bar, who share the second spot, thee points ahead of the elevated Golden Fleece.

Crook Belle Vue moved four points clear at the top of the First Division from Crook Mill House, who are three points ahead of Crook Travellers Rest A and Crook Coach and Horses A.

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

Tow Law Area League

Leaders Newhouse Club were taken to the decider by the visiting Tow Law Station before edging through to an odd point victory which keeps them at the top by a single point. The Station took the first and last singles through Eddie Smith and Michael Bell, whilst the Club had wins from George Conway, Keith Liddle, Eric Rowland and John Craine. The Station then levelled the match by taking the first two doubles. In the decider the Newhouse pair of John Gilchrist and Keith Liddle beat George Hope and Joe Hope.

This victory leaves Newhouse on point ahead of Esh Football Club, who leapt up the table following their win for the loss of only one point at Tow Law New Market B. Sunniside Moss Inn and Esh Stag's Head share the third place a further two points behind.

Results: Tow Law Rose and Crown 3 Tow Law Cattle Mart 6; Sunniside Moss Inn 6 Esh McKennas 3; Hamilton Row Black Horse 6 Sunniside Comedian 3; Esh Stag's Head 7 Tow Law New Market A 2; Newhouse Club 5 Tow Law Station 4; Tow Law New Market B 1 Esh Football Club 8.

CIU Pairs Championship

First round results: G. Burlison & A. Morrison (Grange Villa) beat R. Mulroy & P. Scott (Middlestone Moor); J. Singlewood & B. Briggs (West Auckland) lost to A. Guile & T. White (Darlington East End); A. Buist & R. Johnson (Fishburn) lost to C. Simpson & D. Gardner (Cockfield); R. Allison & J. Smith (Chilton & Windlestone) beat T. Dodd & J. Bayles (Grange Villa); A. Tanner & M. Towers (Cockfield) lost to B. Hindson & H. Dowson (Fishburn); D. Patterson & J. Hancock (Belmont) beat A. Winship & R. Bainbridge (Fencehouses Comrades); P. Dobson & G. Bryant (Mount Pleasant) beat M. Pike & partner (Chilton & Windlestone); W. Willis & C. Hayles (Fishburn) beat J. Millmore & A. Millmore (Spennymoor); A. Beckwith & A. Grey (Stanley Empire) beat J. Treweeke & R. Hall (New Hesledon); D. Smith & S. Bell (Crowtrees) beat J. Lockey & D. Thompson (Fishburn); A. Hunter & E. Lawrence (Mount Pleasant) lost to M. McGlasham & M. Strong (Horden Labour & Trades); G. Ellis & N. Barton (Stanley Empire) lost to S. Smith & C. Stainsby (Darlington); C. Bestford & P. Sellers (Spennymoor) lost to D. Stoker & M. Stoker (New Hesledon); P. Whitfield & G. Peaden (Crowtrees) beat J. Richards & W. Evans (West Auckland); J. Johnson & J. Madgin (Crowtrees) lost to N. Hall & F. Fullthorpe (Mount Pleasant); M. Robinson & R. Wharton (Fishburn) beat J. Savage & K. Burns (Mount Pleasant).