Station defeated

Tow Law Station went down to their first defeat of the season when they lost in the decider of their home match against Esh Football Club. The singles were shared with Andrew Burrows, Philip Slater and Stephen Turner winning for the Station whilst John Robinson, Keith Brown and James Quigley replied for the footballers. After the first two doubles were shared the visitors took the decider when Mike Lugsden and John Robinson beat Malcolm Umpelby and Stephen Turner.

Tow Law New Market B failed to capitalise on the Station's defeat when they went down at Tow Law Black Horse A, leaving the Station seven points clear at the top. The New Market B had singles wins from David Spencer and Gary Turnbull to add to one doubles whilst the Horse had singles wins from Phil Hall, Howard Spoors, Tony Brown and David Craggs.

In their other match, the Station were taken to the decider before they beat their hosts at Tow Law Cattle Mart. The Mart had singles points from Malcolm Boughey, Mark Williams and Alex Ogilvie with the Station replying through Stephen Turner, Shaun Umpelby and Malcolm Umpelby. After the first two doubles were shared the Station went to victory when Shaun Umpelby and Tommy Sloan beat Stephen Boughey and Mark Williams.

Results: Tow Law Black Horse A 6 Tow Law New Market B 3; Hamilton Row Black Horse 3 Sunniside Comedian 6; Tow Law Cattle Mart 4 Tow Law Station 5; Esh Football Club 2 Tow Law Rose and Crown 7; Tow Law New Market A 4 Lanchester King's Head 5; Tow Law Station 4 Esh Football Club 5. Tow Law Football Club v Billy Row Royal George postponed.

Bishop Auckland League

Despite their lowly league position, Bishop Auckland Cumberland Arms put up a spirited performance at league leaders, Crook Olde Horse Shoe before going down by five points. The Shoe had two points from Gerald Parkin and Gavin Witton whilst Richard Walker and Cliff Owen added one each. The Cumberland had two points from Paddy Laughran and one each from Stephen Hope and Geoff Proud. The Shoe took the doubles and then Gavin Witton beat Paddy Laughran in both captain's games.

After a very good performance in the singles, Spennymoor Weardale lost the last three points to go down by the odd point on their visit to Spennymoor Hillingdon. The home side had two singles points from John Bulmer and one each from Ian Smith and Kevin Waterhouse, whilst the Weardale went ahead with two points each for Steve Newall and Shane Casen with Martin Short and Paul Newall adding one each.

The Hillingdon then took the doubles through Ian Smith and Baz Walton and completed their victory when Ronnie McAloon took both captain's games against Shane Casen.

Crook Olde Horse Shoe lead the table by 29 points with Bishop Auckland Derby and Spennymoor Ashtree sharing second place, 14 points ahead of Bishop Auckland King's Head.

Results: Crook Olde Horse Shoe 9 Bishop Auckland Cumberland Arms 4; Henknowle Manor House 2 Spennymoor Ashtree 11; St. Helens Wheatsheaf 3 Bishop Auckland Derby 10; Spennymoor Hillingdon 7 Spennymoor Weardale 6. Bishop Auckland Football Club v Witton Park Rose and Crown postponed.

Willington League

The League Singles Championship qualifiers were held at four venues with one player from each going through to the Finals Night, to be held at the Prospect Club on Wednesday, August 29.

In the decider at Willington Burn, Tony Atkinson of Willington Football Club beat Derek Edmundson of Hunwick Quarry Burn 2-1. At Howden Australian, Tony Leighton of Oakenshaw Club beat Jim Leddy of the Prospect Club 2-1. At Willington Market, Dale Wilson of Oakenshaw Club beat Keith Dufton of Hunwick Quarry Burn 2-0. At Willington Brewer's Droop, Joe Bolam of the Brewer's Droop A beat Mike Jardine of Hunwick Club 2-1.

Crook League

Crook Olde Horse Shoe A only needed three points to land the Championship when they entertained second placed Crook Travellers Rest B. After Gavin Witton and Les Scott had scored for the Shoe, Brian Johnson took the vital third point when he beat Doug Bowey. However the Travellers Rest B recovered and managed to force a draw. The other points for the Olde Horse Shoe came from Cliff Owen, Gerald Parkin, Les Scott and Brian Johnson, whilst the Travellers points were scored by Neil Campbell with two and one each from Peter Coates, Jimmy Singlewood and Doug Bowey as well as both doubles points.

A play-off will be needed before the Second Division Championship is decided after Crook Spitfire Club pulled up level with Crook Surtees, who had already completed their programme. The Spitfire went into their home match against Crook Golden Fleece needing eleven points to tie the division or 12 to take the title. The Fleece only managed singles points from Stephen Fairgrieve and Richard Dobson to add to their one doubles point. The Spitfire clinched their chance of a play-off with two points each from Gordon Walker, Joanne Moore and Chris Raine with Ronnie Rinaldi, Eddie Phillipson and Mark Callaghan adding one each to add to their one doubles point.

Results: Crook Coach Horses A 11; Crook Mill House 11 Crook Royal Sun 3; Crook Travellers Rest A 8 Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 6; Crook Queen's Head A 4 Crook Belle Vue 10; Crook Spitfire Club 11 Crook Golden Fleece 3; Crook Crown 3 Crook White Swan 11; Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 7 Crook Travellers Rest B 7.

Brandon and

Byshottles League

The third season of the League started this month. Consisting of eight teams, it will run throughout the summer and conclude on November 15, followed by the finals of the Team Knock-out, Singles and Pairs handicaps. The league winners will host a Presentation Night on December 6.

One of the first fixtures provided a see-saw local derby match between the Langley Moor Hotel, and the LMH Football Club. Michael Henderson and Kevin Allison took the first two points for the home side, Dean Taylor replied for the Footballers, Gavin Attle took LMH into a 3-1 lead, only to see Brian Newman and Neil Holmes level the match. In the pairs, only Kevin Allison & Gavin Attle scored for Langley Moor Hotel, while David Clark Jnr & Brian Newman and Neil Holmes & Dean Taylor pushed the Footballers ahead for the first time. Brian Newman secured the captain's game to make the final score 6-4.

Results: Langley Moor Hotel 4, LMH Football Club 6; Brancepeth A 7, Brandon Footballers 3; Brandon Ridge 7, Dog and Gun 3; Prince Bishop 4, Brancepeth B 6.