The men and ladies Quaker bowlers secured a winning double while beating Gateshead in the Durham County Inter-Club fixtures all in their quest for league championship titles.

With 12 points at stake in the mens' chase for honours, Darlington fielded an experienced and well balanced six-rink side involving three fours at the Morrisons Centre and a further three at Tyneside.

Points are awarded for each of the six winning rinks and a further two points are awarded for a home or away aggregate with an additional two points for the best winning total including all six rinks.

Mick Tompkins , Barry Hodgson, Nigel Evans and skip Tony Bousfield led narrowly by 5-3 after the first five ends but just couldn't contain P Fowler, R Ward, D Green and skip Graham Hackett for Gateshead. Darlington finished picking up four shots over the last three ends and were pipped overall by 14-15 in a closely contested and interesting match throughout.

Jack Grayson, Ken Coates, Ian Prentice and skip Allen Moore for Darlington after leading 7-2 against G Cowan, D Hardy, W Watson and Bob Curry fell behind in the middle of their game eventually losing narrowly by 16-19.

The third Darlington rink away from home included the experienced Alan Stephenson, Colin Young, Barrie Armstrong and skip Eric Ramsdale won the first four ends. Darlington picked up a 2-4-1 without reply to take up a 17-9 lead, they lost the last two ends but did a job well throughout and secured a 19-13 victory.

The picture was totally different at Morrisons with the Quakers fielding a very strong all-round side across three rinks.

Ken Lamb, Adam Mortimer, Brian Metcalf and skip Andrew Kirtland scored a 6 at the 8th end which was the start of an avalanche of shots collected.

M. Collinson, W. Wilkinson, P Speight and skip Mike Smith for the Tynesiders were allowed to score just one shot over the next 11 ends with Darlington amazingly collecting 32 and looking already at the record books.

On the next rink John Appleton, Stuart Clarke, Mike Baines and Graham Peacock started with a five and led by 15-6 at the half way stage. Incredibly the Paul Hudson four dropped a 2-3-7 for Darlington to win by 32-13 in a good all round team display.

John Hills, Martin Lynch, Ken Tinkler and skip John Lynch established a 7-6 lead after five ends and were slightly adrift by two shots at the half way stage and scored a four going into the 16th end. the Quakers finished really well and secured the last four ends in style to win a good game by 20-17.

The Quaker ladies team had three winning rinks at home and turned in a really good performance in all respects.

Alison Joyce, Joan Winter, Mary Armstrong and team captain Marjorie Bousfield as skip just wouldn't let their opposition including J. Hood, J Moody, A Thurston and Mary Small to win a single end up to the half way stage. Amazing Darlington collected three fours a six and three threes. Gateshead scored five singles over the next five ends and a three at the 17th end. Darlington finished well ahead when securing 8 shots on the last three ends to give the rink and the team an amazing start.

Barbara Watson, Vi Johnson, Marueen Whitton and skip Ann Simpson dominated the six ends in the middle of their game against Edna Atkinson, with some good and solid head-building. Darlington won this one by 19-17 collecting more valuable points.

Peggy Clark, Olwyn Kitchin, Joyce Weston and Doris Rewcastle were 13-5 in front at the half way mark and combined well to beat E Hinds by 19-17 after collecting a good three and a two near to the finishing line.

Kitty Robinson, Margaret White, Audrey Cairns and skip Joyce Stephenson lost a 5 at the ninth end after a good start against skip Joyce Henley.

The Gateshead ladies scored six shots on the last end to win by 25-17.

Tracey Fairless , Edith Dunn, Sadi Lynch and Duclie Harbin were level for most of their game against Mary Warren and did well to secure three singles on the finishing line going down narrowly by 15-17.

Eileen Mitchell, Joan Hamer, Rene Gordon and Ann Anderson had the edge throughout against R Harrison leading 6-3, 10-7, 15-9 and finally in front by 21-11 after clinching a final 2 and a 4. Another valuable point for the Quakers and a job well done.