Worthington CIU Winter League Coundon and Crowtrees A, the early leaders in the Second Division, were shown they will not have things their own way as both were beaten, Coundon for the first time.

Coundon visited Meadowfield and went ahead with a win from Stuart Neil. However the home side hit back and took three in a row with wins from Martoin Halliday, Stephen Hughes and Craig Hughes, whilst the visitors took the last frame through Stephen Bennett.

Crowtrees A were beaten after the first three frames at Willington, who had wins from Gordon Parkin, Jeremy Martin and Stan Bennett. Peter Laverick and Steve Armstrong with a 33 break took the last two points for the visitors. These results have tightened up t the top of the Second Division where Willington and Crowtrees A share the lead with Coundon one point behind and two ahead of Meadowfield.

The Third Division is completely opposite as New Durham raced nine points clear at the top after they only dropped one point at Tow Law B. Phil Garr, Thomas Cairns, Gordon Bowes and Neil Phillips looked to be taking the visitors to a whitewash success but John Wilson played a captain's part for the Lawyers to avoid the duck.

Wheatley Hill A are five points clear in the First Division after edging through to an odd point home win over Shotton Palms. Alan Hall and Ronnie peacock won for the Hill with Dave Swindle and Paul Hickman replying for the Palms but Dave Walker took the home side to victory when he beat Barry Hall in the decider.

Spennymoor A remain in second place in the First Division with a match in hand after they only dropped one point to the visiting Wingate. Paul Atkinson, Paul Biddle, Karl Welsh and Eddie Rhodes put the Moors clear but Jimmy Mason took the last to avoid the whitewash.

Fishburn A crashed badly at Newton Aycliffe when they had Brian Quest as their only winner. The home side's points came from Michael Hewitt, Richie Young, John Briddick and Ronnie Hall. This defeat leaves Fishburn A in third place, but now four points behind Spennymoor A.

After David Waites and Paul Armstrong with a 41 break had established a good lead for Old Shildon against the visiting Cockton Hill one of the best frames of the season saw the Hill pull one back. Martin Taylor put in breaks of 33 and 25 for the home side but was pipped on the black by Andrew Aisbitt, who knocked in a 50 break. This inspired the visitors and George Chapman levelled before Vickers Bell beat Malcolm Parsley in the decider.

Bearpark A edged to their third win of the season by beating the visiting Witton Gilbert in the decider. Alan Smith and Andy Donaldson won for the home side with John Rooney junior and Paul Nord levelling. In the decider Bearpark's David Jackson beat Malcolm Peart.

Sherburn Village beat the visiting Brandon with wins from Peter McGowan, John Bower and Alan Greener, whilst Kevin Sample and Brian Graham replied for the visitors.

Wheatley Hill B built on their first victory of the season last week by visiting Newhouse and coming away with an odd point success. Ronnie Pearson and John Maddox won for the home side but Steve Cave and Ken Connor, on his debut, levelled the match. In the decider the Hill's Philip Taylor beat Ian Dinsdale on the black.

Spennymoor B were never ahead at Belmont until they clinched victory in the decider. Tom Robinson senior put Belmont ahead but Gary Easen equalised. Billy McGrath restored the home lead only to see Alan Rouell level. In the decider the Moors Wayne Parry beat Colin Robinson.

Langley Park beat their hosts at Sacriston in the decider. Willy Nixon and Mark Appleby with a 39 break won for the home side with Dixon Turnbull and Peter Morgan levelling. The Park went to victory when Stephen Coates beat Jeff Evans in the decider.

Glyn Toas was the only Ferryhill A winner in their home match against Stanley Central. The Central's points came from Bob Oxley, Norman Rimmington, Harry Grimes and Frank Foster.

Hunwick A went three up at home to Tow Law A with wins from Neville Blenkinsopp, Peter Mernor with a 37 break and Neville Laws, but the Lawyers responded with wins from Stephen Laing and Tommy Williams.

Hunwick B have to share the second place in the Third Division with their A team after they went down by the odd point at Fishburn B. The visitors took the first and last frames through Barry Fleming and Trevor Lomax, whilst Fishburn's winners were Wayne Oliver, Alan Wilson and George Whitelock.

Durham City moved one point behind the two Hunwick teams after they only dropped one point to the visiting Leeholme B. The visitors took the first point through Anthony Forster but then the home side had wins from Brian Dunn, John Davies, Michael Pratt and Eric Wright.

Results: Tow Law B 1 New Durham 4; Newhouse 2 Wheatley Hill B 3; Old Shildon 2 Cockton Hill 3; Leeholme A 2 Bearpark B 3; Sacriston 2 Langley Park 3; Newton Aycliffe 4 Fishburn A 1; Crowtrees B 1 Ferryhill B 4; Ferryhill A 1 Stanley Central 4; Spennymoor A 4 Wingate 1; Hunwick A 3 Tow Law A 2; Meadowfield 3 Coundon 2; Wheatley Hill A 3 Shotton Palms 2; Fishburn B 3 Hunwick B 2; Willington 3 Crowtrees A 2; Sherburn Village 3 Brandon 2; Durham City 4 Leeholme B 1; Belmont 2 Spennymoor B 3; Bearpark A 3 Witton Gilbert 2.

Curry Cup

Second round draw: George Whitelock (Fishburn B) v Dave Walker (Wheatley Hill A); Ian Renwick (Witton Gilbert) v Brian Graham (Brandon); Paul Atkinson (Spennymoor) v Sonny Hann (Crowtrees A); John Bourne (Wingate) v Andrew Aisbitt (Cockton Hill); Tony Ellison (Wheatley Hill B) v Willis Joynes (Witton Gilbert); Scott Mallaburn (Sherburn Village) v Lee Cullinan (Tow Law A); Jimmy Evans (Shotton Palms) v Thomas Cairns (New Durham); John Bower Sherburn Village) v Steve Armstrong (Crowtrees A). Results to be in by 10.30 pm on Sunday, December 21.

Worthington CIU

Winter Singles

Second round draw: Martin Halliday (Meadowfield) v Graham Golbourn (Coundon); Graeme Jackson (Brandon) v Malcolm Hughes (Meadowfield); George Whitelock (Fishburn B) v John Bourne (Wingate); Paul Nord (Witton Gilbert) bye; Thomas Cairns (New Durham) v Tony Thompson (New Durham); Paul Atkinson (Spennymoor A) v Phillip Garr (New Durham); Paul Armstrong (Old Shildon) v Winston Hodgson (Fishburn B); Brian Burks (New Durham) v David Waites (Old Shildon); Stephen Coates (Langley Park) v Owen Howarth (Brandon); Vickers Bell (Cockton Hill) v Peter Laverick (Crowtrees A); John Jackson (Bearpark A) v Jeff Evans (Sacriston); Sean Johnston (Crowtrees A) v Ian Catterson (Leeholme A); Dave Walker (Wheatley Hill A) v Mark Brown (Leeholme A); Malcolm Parsley (Old Shildon) v John Hall (Brandon); Jimmy Evans (Shotton Palms) v Scott Mallaburn (Sherburn Village); Frank Nicholson (Coundon) bye; Keith McLaughlan (Crowtrees A) v John Hall (Crowtrees B); Craig Hughes (Meadowfield) v Billy Goggins (Coundon); Robert Roche (Langley Park) v Charlie Donaghy (Tow Law B); Sonny Hann (Crowtrees A) v John Taylor (Leeholme A); Dave Hammond (Wingate) v Willy Shoulder (Coundon); John Bower (Sherburn Village) v Steve Johnson (Crowtrees B); Lee Todd (Leeholme B) v Paul Bennett (Witton Gilbert); Alan Greener (Sherburn Village) v Dean Jones (Wingate); John Robinson (New Durham) v Stuart Neil (Coundon); Martin Taylor (Old Shildon) v Willis Joynes (Witton Gilbert); Kevin Scullion (New Durham) v Andrew Tennant (Old Shildon); Gordon Bowes (New Durham) v Kevin Sample (Brandon); Stephen Hughes (Meadowfield) v Steve Armstrong (Crowtrees A); Chris Morley (Belmont) v Brian Graham (Brandon); Mark Appleby (Sacriston) v Malcolm Ryder (Coundon); Peter McGowan (Sherburn Village) v Tony Ellison (Wheatley Hill B). Results to be in by 21 December.

Worthington CIU Winter Pairs Championship

Second round draw: Bob Reay & Ronnie Peacock (Wheatley Hill A) v Billy Roddam & Ian Roddam (Ferryhill B); Shaun Easter & Glen Morton (Bearpark) v Sonny Hann & Keith McLauchlan (Crowtrees A); Dave Taylor & Martin Wolfe (Crowtrees B) v Ian Dinsdale & John Maddox (Newhouse); Tom Parkin & Gordon Parkin (Willington) v Dave Walker & Alan Hall (Wheatley Hill A); Charlie Blake & Billy Goggins (Coundon) v Willy Shoulder & Mally Ryder (Coundon); George Whitelock & Jamie Hodgson (Fishburn B) v Dave Hammond & Dean Jones (Wingate); Phil Garr & Brian Burks (New Durham) v John Griffin & John Carter (Fishburn A); Sean Johnston & Steve Armstrong (Crowtrees A) v Neville Blenkinsopp & Ian Richardson (Hunwick A); George Chapman & Andrew Aisbitt (Cockton Hill) v Harry Grimes & Jim Dufton (Stanley Central); Gordon Bowes & Thomas Cairns (New Durham) v Arthur Goldsborough & Jeremy Martin (Willington); Peter Davison & Alan Buist (Fishburn A) v Michael Pratt & Paul Atkinson (Spennymoor A); Des Mason & Andrew Carr (Hunwick A) v Willis Joynes & Ian Renwick (Witton Gilbert); Ken Johnson & Norman Carr (Wheatley Hill B) v Craig Hughes & Martin Halliday (Meadowfield); Phil Wilson & Alan Rouell (Spennymoor B) v John Bower & Alan Greener (Sherburn Village); David Harrison & Alan Craig (Stanley Central) v Stephen Bennett & Stuart Neil (Coundon); Jack Wright & Dean Bryden (Wheatley Hill A) v Malcolm Peart & Paul Nord (Witton Gilbert). Matches to be played on or before December 21.

Worthington CIU Handicap Singles

Third round draw, to be played on or before December 21, is: Peter McGowan 24 (Sherburn Village) v Sonny Hann 14 (Crowtrees A); Kevin Sample 10 (Brandon) v Neil Phillips 18 (New Durham); Tony Thompson 18 (New Durham) v David Taylor 35 (Crowtrees B); Stephen Bennett 3 (Coundon) v John Bower 18 (Sherburn Village); John Hall 10 (Brandon) v John Bourne 5 (Wingate); Gary Easen 20 (Spennymoor B) v Frank Nicholson 7 (Coundon); David Hudspeth 28 (Leeholme B) v Steve Armstrong 7 (Crowtrees A); Lee Cullinan 45 (Tow Law A) v Stephen Hughes 20 (Meadowfield); Adrian Prest 50 (Leeholme B) v Paul Nord 14 (Witton Gilbert); Phil Whitfield 35 (Crowtrees A) v Craig Hughes 20 (Meadowfield); Dave Hammond 19 (Wingate) bye; Paul Bennett 24 (Witton Gilbnert) v Anthony Forster 40 (Leeholme B); Dean Jones 8 (Wingate) v Lawrence Jones 18 (Leehome A); Jimmy Evans 5 (Shotton Palms) v Sean Johnston 24 (Crowtrees A); Michael Bell 40 (Fishburn B) v Jock Frost 18 (Wheatley Hill B); Peter Laverick 30 (Crowtrees A) v Phillip Garr 24 (New Durham); Stephen Cave 28 (Wheatley Hill B) v Keith McLaughlan 16 (Crowtrees A); Steve Johnson 40 (Crowtrees B) v Mark Brown 45 (Leeholme B); Ian Hodgson 20 (Meadowfield) v Stuart Neil 6 (Coundon); Thomas Cairns 12 (New Durham) v Stephen Coates 24 (Langley Park); Charlie Donaghy 24 (Tow Law B) v Vickers Bell 20 (Cockton Hill); Tony Ellison 21 (Wheatley Hill B) v Paul Harrison 26 (Wingate); John Taylor 45 (Leeholme B) v Willis Joynes 12 (Witton Gilbert); Paul Atkinson -9 (Spennymoor A) v Alfie Edwards 50 (Tow Law A); Malcolm Ryder 25 (Coundon) v Graham Golbourn 24 (Coundon); John Robinson 40 (New Durham) v Martin Halliday 20 (Meadowfield); Alan Hall 14 (Wheatley Hill A) v David Blyth 24 (Wheatley Hill B); Scott Mallaburn 8 (Sherburn Village) v Ronnie Bateman 20 (Spennymoor A); Chris Morley 24 (Belmont) v Jeff Evans 30 (Sacriston); John Hall 40 (Crowtrees B) v Jack Wright 14 (Wheatley Hill A); Kevin Scullion 26 (New Durham) v Colin Goodrick 21 (Brandon); Owen Howarth 24 (Brandon) v Mark Appleby 21 (Sacriston).

Worthington CIU

Team Knockout

Ithe final match of the First Round Tow Law A received 44 points start from the visiting Langley Park. This lead was reduced by 29 points after the first frame where the visiting David Ellison beat Lee Cullinan.

Heppell Hodgson almost restored the Lawyers start when he beat Stephen Coates by 21 points. However Peter Morgan stepped up for the third frame for Langley Park and played out of his skin to beat Tommy Williams by 68 points and move Langley Park into a lead of 31.

Things got worse for the Lawyers as Stephen Laing went down by fourteen points to Kevin Keers to leave the home side's Doug Watson going into the final frame with a forty-five points deficit against Paul Thompson. However Watson steadily cut back the lead and looked as if he could pull off a remarkable recovery as the match hinged on the final black. However Thompson became the Langley Park hero as he potted the black to give the Park a 275-263 victory.

The full draw for the Second Round, to be played on Tuesday, December 16 is: Fishburn B v Wingate; Crowtrees A v New Durham; Ferryhill B v Wheatley Hill A; Cockton Hill v Meadowfield; Sacriston v Ferryhill A; Tow Law B v Sherburn Village; Newhouse v Leeholme A; Stanley Central v Witton Gilbert; Coundon v Spennymoor B; Belmont v Brandon; Bearpark A v Langley Park; Leeholme B v Bearpark B; Hunwick A v Old Shildon; Wheatley Hill B v Crowtrees B; Durham City v Fishburn A; Newton Aycliffe v Willington.