Tow Law Area League: Tow Law New Market B slipped from the top spot for the first time for months after they were beaten by three points by the visiting Esh McKennas.

The home side only managed singles wins from Doris Elsbury and Phil Spencer, whilst the visitors went ahead through Elaine Starr, Dave Metcalfe, Alan Hennigan and Charlie Leigh. Phil Spencer and Stephen Umpelby took the first doubles for the New Market but McKennas went out in style with wins in the final two doubles.

Newhouse Club took over the top spot when they moved four points ahead of the New Market B following their three points home win over the visiting Stanley Earl Derby. Tow Law New Market A moved up just a point behind their B team and have a match in hand, whilst Esh Stag's Head are just three points behind the New Market B with two matches in hand.

Results: Cornsay Royal Oak 5 Tow Law Rose and Crown 4; Esh Stag's Head 6 Hamilton Row Black Horse 3; Tow Law Station 2 Tow Law Dan's Castle 7; Newhouse Club 6 Stanley Earl Derby 3; Sunniside Moss Inn 4 Tow Law New Market A 5; Tow Law Cattle Mart 6 Sunniside Comedian 3; Tow Law New Market B 3 Esh McKennas 6.

Willington League

Willington Lion and Unicorn gave their championship hopes a boost when they only dropped two points on their visit to the Victoria Club. The home side had singles wins from Colin Pratt and Alan Richardson but the Unicorn's success came with singles wins from Alan Lee, Michael Pickering and Donald Young to add to the doubles wins from Phil Blyth with Alan Lee and Kevin Hill with Phil Allison.

Willington Black Horse Tavern took a hammering at Hunwick Quarry Burn but still lead the table by one point from Willington Black Horse Inn, who edged through their home match with Sunnybrow Brown Trout, to stay three points ahead of the Lion and Unicorn.

Results: Willington Black Horse Inn 4 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 3; Prospect Club 5 Hunwick Joiners Arms 2; Willington Club 2 Willington Brewer's Droop 5; Victoria Club 2 Willington Lion and Unicorn 5; Hunwick Quarry Burn 5 Willington Black Horse Tavern 2; Willington Commercial 4 Willington Burn 3.

Crook League

Crook Belle Vue, who lead the First Division, received a set back when they visited Crook Spitfire Club and went down by the odd point. The Spitfire Club had the game sewn up in the singles where they had points from Rob Grayson, Diane Walker, Eddie Phillipson and Brian Harrison. Belle Vue replied with singles wins from Jack Walker and George Pakes, whilst Roy Hoggarth and John Warriner added the doubles. Things then got worse for Belle Vue for their unbeaten record in the Captain's Table was ended when Brian Harrison of the Spitfire Club beat Pip Samson. Despite this defeat they still lead the table by one point from Crook Surtees and have a match in hand.

In the Second Division, Crook Queen's Head B strengthened their top place with a good win at Crook King's Head. The home side took a singles point through Darren Alderson and the doubles through Kevin Carter with David Brown, whilst the Queen's went to victory with wins from Malcolm Gibson, Carl Bushby, Stephen Gibson, Dave Heslop and Anthony Pallin.

Crook Belle Vue lead the First Division by one point with a game in hand over Crook Coach and Horses A, who are one ahead of Crook Travellers Rest B. Crook Queen's Head B lead the Second Division by four points from Crook Surtees and Crook Jelly's Bar A, who share second place, three points ahead of Willington Market.

Results: Crook Queen's Head A 5 Crook Royal Sun 2; Crook Surtees 4 Crook Jelly's Bar A 3; Crook Golden Fleece B 3 Howden Australian 4; Willington Market 5 Crook Golden Fleece A 2; Crook Mill House 3 Crook Olde Horse Shoe 4; Crook Coach and Horses A 4 Crook Travellers Rest A 3; Crook Jelly's Bar B 5 Crook Coach and Horses B 2; Crook Travellers Rest B 4 Crook White Swan 3; Crook Spitfire Club 4 Crook Belle Vue 3; Crook King's Head 2 Crook Queen's Head B 5;

Willington & District League

The Prospect Club moved up to share the lead when they only dropped one point on their visit to Sunnybrow Brown Trout, who had Harry Sewell as their only winner. The visiting winners were Derek Peacock, Kath Nyland, Ces Atklinson and Keith Hirst. The Prospect now share the lead with Willington Brewer's Droop A and Willington Lion and Unicorn.

The Lion and Unicorn slipped back to share the lead after they went down in the decider at Willington Cottles B. The home side went ahead through Andrew Fleming but the Unicorn replied with wins from Phil Allison and Alan Lee junior. Andrew Mains pulled the teams level and Vivian Horner won the decider for Cottles B when she beat Stephen Lee.

Results: Sunnybrow Brown Trout 2 Willington Brewer's Droop A 3; Hunwick Quarry Burn 5 Hunwick Club 0; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 1 Prospect Club 4; Willington Cottles B 3 Willington Lion and Unicorn 2.