Bishop Auckland and District League: Eight teams took advantage of a holiday break in the fixtures to make up previously postponed matches and try to cut back on the heavy backlog of games.

Crook Olde Horse Shoe entertained Willington Brewer's Droop and only dropped a couple of points to move to the top of the table with a nine points advantage over Spennymoor Ash Tree, who have a match in hand. Crook Coach and Horses A are in third place, seven points behind the Ash Tree.

Henknowle Manor A were made to struggle before they made the necessary come back to beat the visiting Bishop Auckland RAFA Club in the decider. The Manor had two singles points from Peter Mernor and one each from Bill Turner, Ronnie Wright and Bob Webb, whilst the RAFA Levelled with two points from Dave Gaskins and one each from Bob Chambers, Simon Roberts and Lisa Gaskins. The visitors went ahead when Steve Cowley and Richard Drennan won the doubles, but Peter Mernor recovered the situation when he beat Dave Gaskins in both captain's games.

Results: Tow Law Station 9 Spennymoor Weardale 4; Crook Olde Horse Shoe 11 Willington Brewer's Droop 2; Bishop Auckland Cumberland 9 Bishop Auckland Football Club 4; Henknowle Manor A 7 Bishop Auckland RAFA Club 6.

Crook League

Crook Olde Horse Shoe look to be almost certainties to retain the Championship as they lead Crook Travellers Rest B by 20 points with five matches left. Third placed Crook Belle Vue are a further twelve behind on 131 points. The rest of the First Division points totals is Coach and Horses A 129; Royal Sun 128; Travellers Rest A 125; Olde Horse Shoe B 116; Market 111; Mill House 101; Queen's Head A 99; White Swan 97 and Jelly's Bar A 85.

Crook Coach and Horses B are forty-two points clear at the top of the Second Division. The rest of the points totals are King's Head 142; Australian 132; Golden Fleece B 131; Hunwick Club 130; Spitfire Club 123; Surtees and Brewer's Droop 108 each; Queen's Head B 102; Golden Fleece A 94; Croft SC 87 and Jelly's Bar B 73.

Tow Law Scottish Courage League

Tow Law Dan's Castle A moved to the top of the table after they thrashed the former leaders, the visiting Tow Law Football Club. The Castle had singles wins from Anthony Hird, Lee Stockdale, Alan Henderson and Lee Furber whilst Lee Cullinan and Charlie Donaghy replied. The home side went on complete a great victory by winning all three doubles points.

Sunniside Comedian were able to move up to third place in the table, two behind the Castle leaders and one adrift of the Tow Law Football Club after they only dropped one point to the visiting Tow Law Dan's Castle B. Ray Johnson, Morgan Errington, Dave Walton, Michael Thompson and John Hildreth took the singles points for the Comic whilst Paul Murray maintained his good run to stay in the lead for the Individual Player of the Year Trophy when he beat his nearest contender, John Conoly of the Comic. The home side went on to take all three doubles points.

Results: Tow Law Station 4 Tow Law New Market A 5; Newhouse Club 5 Hamilton Row Black Horse 4; Tow Law New Market B 6 Tow Law Rose and Crown 3; Sunniside Comedian 8 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 1; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 7 Tow Law Football Club 2.

Crook Individual League

Matches in the league at Crook Coach and Horses resume on Monday after the holiday break. Three of the key players are involved for the inaugural title looks to be going to either Johnny Mason, David Craggs or Michael Burke. Monday's matches are Doug Bowey v Stephen Heyes; David Stephenson v David Craggs; Michael Burke v Adam Martin; Neil Campbell v Johnny Mason.