ST Teresa's defeated local rivals Middlesbrough 8-6 in a crucial fixture in Division One of the Yorkshire League in Darlington last weekend.

Both teams are at the wrong end of the table and St Teresa's, on four points, were looking for their first win. Middlesbrough, with one win, were two points ahead of them.

International junior Matthew Hurst got the visitors off to a good start by beating Durham county team-mate Graham Onions in the men's singles, but Gill Hay restored the balance for St Teresa's.

They then took three of the four women's doubles, with Hay and Sally Clough unbeaten, but county veterans Jackie Hurst and Karen Marshall gathered one for Boro.

Debutant Onions and regular Colin Jeffrey increased the home team's lead with two in the men's doubles, though Hurst and Kevin Raper took one for Middlesbrough.

The visitors almost snatched a draw by winning three of the four mixed doubles, but Gill Hay - the day's star performer after four unbeaten contests - and Paul Millward collected the vital eighth rubber for the Darlington team.