Bishop Auckland League - Gavin Witton took the final captain's point for Crook Olde Horse Shoe against Paul Biddle of Spennymoor Ashtree to edge his team into a vital odd point victory in the top match of the week.

The Ashtree had singles points from Harry Baillie, Tony Biddle, Chris Bowran, Stephen Jones and Paul Biddle, whilst the Olde Horse Shoe replied with singles wins from Gerald Parkin, Cliff Owens, Steve Hunter, Gavin Witton and Richard Walker. Cliff Owens and Richard Walker then pushed the visitors ahead when they beat Stephen Jones and Chris Bowran in the doubles but Paul Biddle beat Gavin Witton in the first captain's game to set up the decider.

Bishop Auckland Football Club pulled off an odd point win at Bishop Auckland Derby when Lee Taylor beat Paul Willey in the second captain's game. The Derby had two singles points from Chris Peacock and one each from Steve Ballanaves, Kevin Stewart and Stephen Lowther, whilst the footballers replied with two points from Carl Neilson and one each for Lee Taylor, Danny Parker and Russell Place. The footballers edged ahead when Danny Parker and Carl Neilson took the doubles but Paul Willey beat Lee Taylor in the first captain's game to set up the decider.

Crook Olde Horse Shoe lead the table by 30 points but have played an extra game over second placed, Bishop Auckland Derby, who are one point ahead of Spennymoor Ashtree.

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

Willington League

Michael Burke of Howden Australian B won the Individual Player of the Year after topping the league list of the Top 20 players with only three defeats from the 26 games he has played.

Top 20: 1 Michael Burke (Australian B) played 26, won 23, lost 3; 2 Tony Leighton (Oakenshaw) 26, 22, 4; 3 Phil Blyth (Prospect)26, 21, 5; 4 Ian Richardson (Hunwick Club) 26, 20, 6; 5 Jimmy Bainbridge (Australian A) 24,19, 5; 6 Dale Wilson (Oakenshaw) 24, 19, 5; 7 Paul Davidson (Australian B) 26, 19, 7; 8 Neil Ridley (Black Horse) 25, 18, 7; 9 Michael Richardson (Australian A) 26, 18, 8; 10 Dave Robson (Quarry Burn) 23, 17, 6; 11 equal Ray Newton (Australian A) and Lane Sample (Prospect) 25, 17, 8; 13 Ian Williams (Australian A) 21, 16, 5; 14 Jason Walton (Oakenshaw) 25, 16, 9; 15 Craig Eales (Black Horse) 25, 16, 9; 16 Alan Lee jun (Brewer's Droop A) 18, 15, 3; 17 Tommy Parkin (Black Horse) 21, 15, 6; 18 Robert Todd (Hunwick Club) 22, 15, 7; 19 Andrew Featherstone (Black Horse) 24, 15, 9; 20 Paul Maddison (Hunwick Club) 26, 15, 11.

Crook League

Crook Surtees could have clinched the Second Division title with a good away win in their last match over Crook White Swan but they were held to a draw. This leaves the Surtees 11 points ahead of the Crook Spitfire Club, who still have a match to play. Crook Golden Fleece are a further two points adrift but could, with a maximum win in their final match, clinch the title.

The White Swan had two points from Andrew Finch and Stephen Murphy with Darren Alderson adding one to their doubles point. The Surtees levelled the match at six-all with two points from Jason Collingwood and one each from Chris Bainbridge, Alan Tomlinson and Bob Heslop. Paul Fox then won for the Surtees to put them 7-6 ahead but Michael Sanderson forced the draw when he won for the Swan by beating Alan Tomlinson in the final frame.

The First Division Championship rests on the final match between Crook Olde Horse Shoe A and Crook Travellers Rest B. The Shoe hold a ten points lead and so only need three points to repeat their title success.

Results: Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 5 Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 9; Crook Coach and Horses A 7 Crook Travellers Rest 7; Crook Belle Vue 10 Crook Mill House 4; Crook Royal Sun 10 Crook Jelly's Bar A 4; Crook Travellers Rest B 10 Crook Queen's Head A 4; Crook White Swan 7 Crook Surtees 7; Crook Golden Fleece 11 Croft Social Club 3; Crook Jelly's Bar B 5 Crook Coach and Horses B 9. Crook Queen's Head B v Crook Crown postponed.

Tow Law League

Tow Law Cattle Mart shared the singles on their visit to Billy Row Royal George but then took all three doubles points to complete a very good victory.

The George had singles points from Daniel Kerridge, Paul Shepherd and Chris Birbeck whilst the Mart replied through Malcolm Boughey, Mark Williams and Alex Ogilvy.

Tow Law Football Club pulled off a surprise away win at Sunniside Comedian when only Keith Race took a singles point for the home team. The footballers singles points came from Terry Ginty, Les Hind, Keith Muse, Arthur Henderson and Charlie Donaghy but the Comedian made the score more respectable by taking two of the doubles points.

Tow Law Station lead the table by one point from Tow Law New Market B, who have played two more matches. Lanchester King's Head are seven points behind the New Market B with a match in hand.

Results: Tow Law Rose and Crown 6 Tow Law New Market A 3; Tow Law Black Horse 6 Hamilton Row Black Horse 3; Tow Law New Market B 7 Tow Law Black Horse B 2; Billy Row Royal George 3 Tow Law Cattle Mart 6; Sunniside Comedian 3 Tow Law Football Club 6. No result - Tow Law Station v Esh Football Club.