Tow Law Area League: The top of the table clash strengthened Esh Stag's Head top spot and pushed the visiting Billy Row Club down to third place as Tow Law New Market A moved up to second spot.

The Stag's Head established a good lead after the singles when they had wins from Dave Hindmoor, Ray Brown, Peter Hindmoor and Ken Brown with John Wilkes and Edna Dawson replying. The Stag's increased their lead when they took two of the three singles.

This victory moved the Stag's Head six points clear at the top of the table with Tow Law New Market A jumping into second place when they only dropped one point to the visiting Tow Law Rose and Crown. Billy Row Club trail the New Market A by one point.

Results: Tow Law Dan's Castle 4 Tow Law New Market B 5; Newhouse Club 6 Cornsay Royal Oak 3; Tow Law New Market A 8 Tow Law Rose and Crown 1; Esh Stag's Head 6 Billy Row Club 3. Hamsteels Inn v Esh McKennas postponed.

Wilington League

Willington New Inn were able to lift themselves from the foot of the table when they only dropped one point to the visiting Hunwick Quarry in their re-arranged match. The home side had singles wins from Mary Walton, John Perkins, Phil Blyth, Pat Swain and Dessie Ayre. They then added the first doubles with a win by Dessie Ayre and Phil Blyth but Brian McCabe and John Archer saved the whitewash when the took the only point for the Hunwick team with success in the final doubles.

Willington Lion and Unicorn lead the table by five points from Hunwick Joiners Arms, who are four ahead of Sunnybrow Brown Trout A.

Crook League

Crook Surtees made a good odd point home win over Crook Golden Fleece and dedicated their victory in memory of Bill Sunter, who was the popular landlord of the Surtees for many years. The Officials and all the players in the league pass on their condolences to all the Sunter family.

The Surtees tied up the win when they had singles wins from Chris Bainbridge, Howard Trotter, Alan Tomlinson and John Uren. Graham Young and Chris Baker took singles points for the Fleece, who added the doubles through Dave March and Gus Witton.

Crook Belle Vue became only the second team in the First Division to record a whitewash victory when the visiting Crook Olde Horse Shoe A were the victims. This win pushed them nine points clear at the top of the table with Crook Golden Fleece in second place, one point ahead of Crook Travellers Rest B.

Crook Coach and Horses B had their lead in the Second Division cut to one point after they struggled through to an odd point victory at Crook Jelly's Bar B. The home side's points came from Mick Harker and Wayne Harker in the singles and then the two brothers combined to take the doubles. The Coach singles winners were Gerald Parkin, David Stephenson, David Haygarth and Jeff Sneath.

The Coach B lead the table by one point from Crook Queen's Head A, with Willington Brewer's droop a further four points adrift.

Results: Crook Coach and Horses A 2 Willington Market 5; Crook White Swan B 1 Crook Queen's Head A 6; Crook Spitfire Club 5 Crook Travellers Rest A 2; Crook Belle Vue 7 Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 0; Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 4 Crook Jelly's Bar A 3; Crook Queen's Head B 4 Crook White Swan A 3; Crook Jelly's Bar B 3 Crook Coach and Horses B 4; Crook Surtees 4 Crook Golden Fleece 3.

Tow Law and District League

Tow Law Dan's Castle B managed to edge one ahead in the Captain's Table when Angela Suddes beat Alan Ogilvie of the visiting Tow Law Station. The table positions and points are 1st Dan's Castle B 24 points; 2nd Newhouse Club 23; 3rd Tow Law Football Club 18; 4th Sunniside Comedian 17; 5th equal Hamilton Row Black Horse and Tow Law Station 16 each; 7th Dan's Castle A and New Market B 14 each; Rose & Crown and New Market A 12 each.

The Station made up for losing the captain's game when they won the match in the decider. Alan Ogilvie put the Station ahead but then Faff Suddes and David Murray won for the Castle. David Fernandez levelled the match with the Station going to victory when Wayne Tennant beat Anthony Lee.

Willington and District League

Willington Cottles A failed in the decider when they played their re-arranged match at Willington Brewer's Droop. The visitors opened out with a win from Andrew Fleming but Joe Moore and Billy Wragg moved the home side ahead. Andrew Mains levelled the match but the Brewer's snatched victory when Steve Smith beat Tommy Boyle in the decider, leaving Cottles A in fifth place in the table, but with the possibility of being overtaken by the Prospect Club and the Brewer's Droop.

CIU Singles Championship

First round draw: F. Greenwood (Ferryhill) v J. Dean (Horden Labour & Trades); A. Guile (Darlington East End) v A. Gray (Stanley Empire); R. Hodgson (Stanley Empire) v R. Atkinson (Belmont); D. Houghton (Fishburn) v A. Richardson (Ferryuhill); T. Dodd (Grange Villa) v B. Milburn (Stanley Empire); J. Lockey (Fishburn) v G. Smith (Fishburn); R. Allison (Chilton & Windlestone) v K. Irving (Glendale); S. Wray (Ferryhill) v J.P.Dodsworth (Fishburn); D. Harrison (Chilton & Windlestone) v J. Pearson (Chilton & Windlestone); D. Gardner (Cockfield) v M. Robinson (Fishburn); J. Smith (Chilton & Windlestone) v M. Pike (Chilton & Windlestone); K. Wilkinson (Ferryhill) v E. Campbell (Chilton & Windlestone); G. Robson (Belmont) v R. Wharton (Fishburn); D. Paterson (Belmont) v D. Metcalfe (Cockfield); A. Buist (Fishburn) v N. Barton (Stanley Empire); J. Bayles (Grange Villa) v P. Hubbick (Glendale). Results to be into the Branch Office by Saturday, 21 February.