Tow Law League

Tow Law Station only required three points to be certain of landing the championship and they achieved their objective in the singles against the visiting Tow Law Football Club with wins from Stephen Turner, Phil Slater, Andrew Burrows and Scott Nicholson, while Terry Ginty and Arthur Henderson won for the footballers.

Tow Law New Market B needed at least six points from their match at Tow Law Black Horse and they just managed it when Tommy Sloan and Ian Turner took the final doubles. The Horse had singles wins from Barry Hogarth and Tom Dowson, whilst the Market's singles points came from Raymond Weir, Ian Turner, Colin Armstrong and Gary Turnbull. This result left the Market seven points behind the Station but one ahead of Sunniside Comedian and three ahead of Lanchester King's Head.

After a run of six consecutive defeats, Sunniside Moss Inn finished with a very good win against the visiting Esh Football Club. Norman Spence and Ivor Childs put the Moss ahead with Ken Brown and Jimmy Quigley levelling only to see Harry Nixon and John Beveridge restore the home's two points lead in the singles. The vital fifth point came to the Moss when Terry Taylor and Ivor Childs took a doubles point.

Results: Sunniside Moss Inn 5, Esh Football Club 4; Tow Law Black Horse 3, Tow Law New Market B 6; Tow Law Rose and Crown 3, Lanchester King's Head 6; Sunniside Comedian 9, Tow Law Cattle Mart B 0; Tow Law Station 6, Tow Law Football Club 3; Billy Row Royal George 4, Hamilton Row Black Horse 5. Tow Law New Market A v Cornsay Royal Oak - postponed.

Willington League

League leaders, Oakenshaw Club went down to their first defeat when their hosts at Howden Australian B came back from 3-1 down to never lose another frame. Michael Burke put the Aussie ahead but then Jason Walton, Kenny Plumpton and Dale Wilson moved Oakenshaw ahead. The home side took the final two singles through Stephen Young and Michael Lee and then went on to take all three doubles points for an excellent victory.

Willington Brewer's Droop A are now the only unbeaten team in the league but they were taken to the decider before edging through at Willington Market. John Bolam put the Brewer's ahead but then Brian Clough, Colin Vayro and Ken Foster won for the home side. Colin Hawkins and Alan Lee junior squared the game after the singles. With both teams taking one doubles each the decider brought victory to the Brewer's when Alan Lee senior and Paul Williams won.

Oakenshaw Club lead the joint second placed teams of the Brewer's Droop A and Howden Australian B by four points, with Hunwick Club a further two points adrift.

Results: Willington Brewer's Droop B 3, Hunwick Quarry Burn 6; Willington Lion and Unicorn 2, Willington Commercial 7; Willington FC 2, Hunwick Club 7; Willington Market 4, Willington Brewer's Droop A 5; Howden Australian B 6, Oakenshaw Club 3; Willington Black Horse Tavern 9, Howden Australian A 0; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2, Prospect Club 9.

Bishop Auckland League

The quarter finals of the singles championships were held at Bishop Auckland Football Club. Surprisingly, none of the best of three frame matches went to the deciding frame.

Results: Alan Jones of Spennymoor Ashtree beat Michael Hoggart of Bishop Auckland Derby; Gavin Witton of Crook Olde Horse Shoe beat Steve Balanaves of Bishop Auckland Derby; Warren Stamp of Bishop Auckland King's Head beat Martin Short of Spennymoor Weardale; Chris Bowran of Bishop Auckland Derby beat Shaun Casey of Spennymoor Weardale.