Tennis

Invicta Sunderland, based at the Health and Raquet Club in Doxford Park, moved to the top of the Northern division following recent successive 4-0 victories over North Yorkshire and David Lloyd Stockton.

The Wearsiders have four points advantage over previous leaders, Academy Harrogate each having played four matches. Defending champions Tennis World Middlesbrough are unbeaten in three outings with 12 points. The David Lloyd Centre are three points further back and still hopeful of a top four position to enter the spring play-offs.

For Invicta Adam Barratclough and Ainsley Kershaw, Graeme Foreman and Nathan Lundy have developed good partnerships of late to win comfortably twice. Just as determined to become titlists are brothers Guy and Sean Galpin and captain Gavin Sutcliffe.

The David Lloyd opposition fought hard to gain one set only in the four rubbers with John Weeks and Matt Whitaker their better pair.

The North Yorkshire team, drawn from a variety of small clubs, acquired 12 games only in total and are still awaiting.

RESULTS - Invicta 4, North Yorkshire 0: Adam Barraclough and Ainsley Kershaw beat Michael Hall and Kevin Rowley 6-4 6-0, beat Dan Williston and Mike Victory 6-0 6-1; Graeme Forcunan and Nathan Lundy beat Hlal and Rowley 6-0 6-3m beat Lilliston and Victory 6-1 6-3.

Invicta 4, David Lloyd 0: A Barratclough and A Kershaw beat Ben O'Connor and Smith 6-2 6-2, beat Weeks and Whitaker 5-7 7-6 9-5.

North-East Club

Winter League

RESULTS - Red group: Gosforth II 1, Jesmond 7; Jesmond 8, Rothbury 0.

Orange group: Blyth Ridley 5, Blaydon II 3; Jesmond II 8, Tynedale 0.

Yellow Group: Ponteland 2, Morpeth 6.

Green Group: Wylam 0, Durham Archery 8; Stocksfield II 5, Lanchester 3; Blaydon IV 0, Shotley and Benfieldside 8.

Blue Group: Blaydon 3, Durham Moor 5; Hild and Bede Coll 2, Durham Archery II 6.

Indigo Group: Durham Archery III 3, Sunderland H and RC 5.

Violet Group: Thirsk 7, David Lloyd Stockton 1; Nunthorpe 8, Great Broughton and Kirby 0.

White Group: Ripon 0, New Blackwell 8.

CURRENT PLACINGS - Red: Jesmond 6 points; Stocksfield 2, Rothbury 2, Gosforth 0, Cramlington BT 0.

Orange: NLTSRC 4, Jesmond II 4, Tynedale 2, Blyth Ridley 2, Blaydon II 0, Cullerecoats w/d.

Yellow: Morpeth 8, Gosforth 4, Collingwood 4, Ponteland 4, DSS 0, Jesmond III 0.

Green: Shotley and Benfieldside 8, Durham Archery 4, Stocksfield II 2, Lanchester 2, Blaydon III 0, Wylam 0.

Blue: Durham Moor 8, Blaydon 6, Bishop Auckland 4, Durham Archery II 4, Hild and Bede 0, Burnmoor 0.

Indigo: Sunderland H and RC 4, Durham Archery III 4, Durham High School 2, Eldon Grove 9, Durham University 0, Norton w/d.

Violet: Great Ayton 6 Thirsk 6, Nunthorpe 2, Great Broughton 2, David Lloyd 0, Leake w/o.

White: Bedale 6, New Blackwell 4, Wellfield 2, Ripon 2, Richmond 0, Barnard Castle 0.