Tow Law Dan's Castle needed a good home win against Stanley Earl Derby to challenge the league leaders, Esh Stag's Head. However the Castle were denied when they went down in the deciding doubles.

The home side had singles wins from Angela Suddes, Brian Wade and Chris Bowes with Wayne Anderson, Andrew Finch and Malcolm Henry replying. Les Sanders junior and Malcolm Henry pushed the Derby ahead by taking the first doubles only to see Wayne Tennant and Brian Wade level the match. In the deciding doubles Steve Eaton and Wayne Anderson took the visitors to victory by beating Wayne Tennant and Chris Bowes in the decider.

Esh Stag's Head are two points ahead of Tow Law New Market B and Sunniside Comedian, who share second place two points ahead of the chasing Dan's Castle, Tow Law Station and Esh Football Club.

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

Tow Law & District League

Lanchester King's Head only dropped one point at home to Tow Law New Market B but it was enough for them to lose their share of the top spot as Tow Law North Point whitewashed the visiting Tow Law Cattle Mart. Tom Hauxwell was the only winner for the New Market B, whilst Ronnie Minto, Graeme Thompson, Davy brown and Harry Wales took the King's to victory.

Hamilton Row Black Horse slipped a point behind Lanchester King's Head when they could only beat the visiting Dan's Castle B by the odd point.

Results: Tow Law North Point 5 Tow Law Cattle Mart 0; Tow Law Dan's Castle A 2 Sunniside Comedian 3; Tow Law New Market A 4 Esh Football Club 1; Tow Law Football Club 2 Tow Law Rose and Crown 3; Lanchester King's Head 4 Tow Law New Market B 1; Hamilton Row Black Horse 3 Tow Law Dan's Castle B 2.