Tow Law Area League: Esh McKennas held on to the top spot with an odd point win at Esh Stag's Head, the reigning champions.

The visitors' took four of the singles through Colin Leigh, Joe Starr, Alan Hennigan and Eric Starr, whilst the home side had wins from Roy Brown and Mally Walker. McKenna's clinched certain victory when the Starr's took the first doubles but the Stag's showed they will still be a Championship threat by taking the last two doubles.

The resignation of Tow Law Station has caused changes in the Captain's Table with Newhouse Club now holding a two points lead.

The positions and points now reads: 1st Newhouse Club 10 points; 2nd equal Dan's Castle, New Market A and Stag's Head 8 each; 5th New Market B 7; 6th Cornsay Royal Oak 6; 7th equal Comedian and McKennas 5 each; 9th Rose and Crown 4; 10th Billy Row Club 3; 11th Hamsteels Inn 1.

Results: Billy Row Club 5 Hamsteels Inn 4; Newhouse Club 6 Sunniside Comedian 3; Tow Law New Market A 2 Tow Law Dan's Castle 7; Cornsay Royal Oak 4 Tow Law New Market B 5; Esh Stag's Head 4 Esh McKennas 5.

Crook League

The first qualifying round of the League Championships were held at Crook Olde Horse Shoe with two entries from the singles and two from the doubles joining similar winners from next week's qualifying round at Crook Mill House to go forward to Finals Night at Crook Spitfire Club on Wednesday, 1 October.

The singles players to go forward to the Finals Night from the Olde Horse Shoe are Rob Grayson of the Spitfire Club, who beat Dave Leighton of the Olde Horse Shoe 5-3 and Michael Burke of Crook Travellers Rest B, who beat Ian Hodkinson of Crook Belle Vue 5-1.

The doubles players to go forward to the Finals Night from the Olde Horse Shoe are Jimmy Luke and Ian Armstrong of the Olde Horse Shoe B after they beat John Warriner and Dave Hakin of Crook Belle Vue 5-3 and Neil Campbell and Doug Bowey of the Travellers Rest B after they beat Terry Davies and Gavin Hudspeth of the Travellers Rest A 5-4.

Willington and

District League

Willington Cottles B became the early leaders in the league after they beat the visiting Byers Green Royal Oak for the loss of only one point. The Oak, who had held the leadership, took their only point when Michael Waters won his singles. The home side had singles wins from Brett Fleming, Joe Bone, Gilly Spark and Jimmy Gallagher.

Willington Burn Inn moved up to equal third place after they beat the visiting Willington Cottles A in the decider. Dave Griffith senior put the Burn ahead but then Adam Mains and Duane Davis moved the visitors in front. In the decider Gordon Foster took the Burn to victory when he beat Alec Fleming.

Cottles B's lead is only one point on Willington Lion and Unicorn, who are two ahead of the Royal Oak and Willington Burn.

Results: Hunwick Quarry 2 Prospect Club 3; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 1 Willington Lion and Unicorn 4; Willington Cottles A 1 Willington Cottles B 4; Willington Burn Inn 3 Willington Cottles A 2; Willington Cottles B 4 Byers Green Royal Oak 1.

Tow Law and

District League

Tow Law Football Club held on to the top spot after they came from behind to win in the decider at Hamilton Row Black Horse. The home side went ahead through Pat Elliott but Terry Ginty levelled. Barry Sims restored the home lead only to see Keith Muse equalise. In the decider the footballers Charlie Donaghy beat Steve Wilkie.

The threat from Tow Law Dan's Castle B diminished when they went down at Tow Law New Market A. The home side's singles wins came from Phil Spencer, Terry Taylor and Goff Bramfitt, whilst David Murray and Tommy Joyce replied for the Castle.

The footballers lead the table by two points from Newhouse Club, who jumped two points ahead of Dan's Castle B following their home whitewash success over Tow Law Rose and Crown.

Results: Sunniside Comedian 2 Tow Law Station 3; Newhouse Club 5 Tow Law Rose and Crown 0; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 3 Tow Law New Market B 2; Hamilton Row Black Horse 2 Tow Law Football Club 3; Tow Law New Market A 3 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 2.

Wilington League

The Prospect Club remain as the only undefeated team in the league after they overcame the visiting Willington Commercial in the deciding doubles. The home side had singles wins from Tommy McAloon, Brenda Hudspeth and Harold Farrer with John Parkin and Phil Blyth winning for the Commercial. The visitors then levelled with the first doubles point from Lenny Glasper and John Perkins, but the Prospect Club clinched victory when Tommy McAloon and Wilf Sharp beat Pat Swain and Phil Blyth in the deciding doubles.

This victory leaves the Prospect Club sharing top place with Hunwick Joiners Arms, whilst Willington Lion and Unicorn and Byers Green Royal Oak are just a point behind.

Results: Sunnybrow Brown Trout B 2 Hunwick Joiners Arms 5; Willington Black Horse Inn 5 Willington Lion and Unicorn 2; Willington Club 4 Byers Green Royal Oak 3; Willington Brewer's Droop 4 Victoria Club 3; Hunwick Quarry 3 Sunnybrow Brown Trout A 4; Willington Cottles 3 Willington Burn 4; Prospect Club 4 Willington Commercial 3.