Bishop Auckland and District League : Bishop Auckland Snooker Club B, in their first season in the league, moved up to share the top spot after they came through in the decider to beat the visiting Bishop Auckland Derby by the odd point.

Even more tension as added to the match as the Snooker Club B operated as the Derby last season but moved to start the new team during the close season.

The home side had two points each from Chris Peacock and Paul Willey with Michael Hoggart adding one, whilst the Derby stayed level with two points from Stephen Lowther and Paul Stewart and one from Andrew Delve. Chris Peacock and Paul Willey won the doubles to move ahead but the Derby's Michael Richardson took the first captain's point against Michael Hoggart to square the match. However Hoggart clinched the victory when he took the second captain's point.

Tow Law Station also maintained their move up the table with a big home win over Spennymoor Weardale. The Station had two points from David Craggs and Shaun Umpelby with one each for Steven Turner, Anthony Hird and Tommy Sloan, while the visitors replied with one point each from Shane Casen, Stephen Sinclair and Steve Newall. Andrew Burrows and Malcolm Umpelby took the doubles for the Station and David Craggs completed a good night by taking both captain's points from Shane Casen.

Bishop Auckland King's Head and Bishop Auckland Snooker Club share the top spot one point ahead of Crook Olde Horse Shoe, who are two points ahead of Spennymoor Ashtree and Tow Law Station.

Results: Crook Coach and Horses 6 Henknowle Manor House 7; Crook Olde Horse Shoe 6 Bishop Auckland King's Head 7; Toft Hill Three Tuns 10 Bishop Auckland Cumberland 3; Witton Park Rose and Crown 6 Bishop Auckland Football Club 7; Bishop Auckland Snooker Club B 7 Bishop Auckland Derby 6; Tow Law Station 10 Spennymoor Weardale 3; Spennymoor Ashtree 9 Bishop Auckland Snooker Club A 4; Ferryhill Greyhound 4 Bishop Auckland RAFA 9.

Willington League

Howden Australian maintained their slight chance of landing the title when they only dropped two singles points at Willington Commercial, who had wins from Robert lee and Mark Plaskett. The singles points for the Aussie came from John Allott, Michael Richardson, Steven Burke and Jimmy Bainbridge with the victory being completed when they took all three doubles points. This leaves them nine points behind the leaders, Hunwick Club but with a match in hand.

Hunwick Club's aim to land the Championship stayed on course when they only dropped two points at Willington Market, who had singles wins from Brian Clough and Stuart Wayman. The visitors had singles points from Mike O'Brien, Robert Todd, Neil Laws and Ian Richardson to add to the three doubles.

Results: Willington Black Horse Tavren 6 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 3; Willington Brewer's Droop B 3 Prospect Club 6; Hunwick Quarry Burn 3 Willington Brewer's Droop 6; Willington Market 2 Hunwick Club 7; Willington Commercial 2 Howden Australian 7.

Spennymoor League

It was very much a family affair when Spennymoor Pit Laddie forced a draw with the visiting Spennymoor Hillingdon. The Pit Laddie had singles wins from K. Mains, N. Mains and I. Mains, whilst the Hillingdon went ahead with singles wins from K. Smith and B. Geldart and doubles wins from K. Taylor with B. Geldart and B. Smith with K. Smith. The home side forced the draw when D. Mains beat C. Simpson in the captain's game.

Spennymoor Quinns Inn lead the table by three points with the Victoria, the Black Horse and the Half Moon sharing second place one point ahead of the Voltigeur.

Results: Spennymoor Football Club B 1 Spennymoor Half Moon 7; Coxhoe Red Lion 2 Spennymoor Football Club A 6; Spennymoor Ash Tree 3 Spennymoor Penny Gill 5; Spennymoor Pit Laddie 4 Spennymoor Hillingdon 4; Spennymoor Salvin Arms 2 Spennymoor Black Horse 6; Spennymoor Victoria 5 Spennymoor Voltigeur 3; Spennymoor Railway 3 Spennymoor Quinns Inn 5.

Crook League

Crook Surtees recovered from what looked to be a heavy defeat when they entertained Crook Olde Horse Shoe A when they took the last five points to go down a narrow reversal. The Shoe had two points from Gavin Witton and one each from Gerald Parkin, Cliff Owens and Brian Johnson to add to the two doubles won by Eric Major with Gerald Parkin and Steve Liddle with Gavin Witton whilst the replies came from Paul Ford with two wins and one each for John Uren, Alan Tomlinson, Howard Trotter and Chris Bainbridge.

This victory for the Horse Shoe A made them the early First Division leaders with a two points advantage over Crook Belle Vue and Crook Travellers Rest B. Crook Travellers Rest A are just two points from the joint second placed teams.

Willington Market lead the Second Division by three points from Crook White Swan, who are one point ahead of Crook Golden Fleece and Crook Queen's Head A.

Results: Crook Mill House 8 Crook Travellers Rest A 6; Crook Spitfire Club 4 Crook Belle Vue 10; Crook Travellers Rest B 11 Crook Royal Sun A 3; Crook Surtees 6 Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 8; Crook Olde Horse Shoe B 9 Crook Coach and Horses A 5; Crook White Swan 9 Crook Golden Fleece 5; Crook Royal Sun B 4 Crook Jelly's Bar A 10; Crook Coach and Horses B 7 Crook Queen's Head A 7; Crook Jelly's Bar 4 Willington Market 10.

* Crook Queen's Head B became the first team to be fined when they failed to get their scorecard in on time for their home game against Croft Social Club.

Bishop Auckland

Area League

The match between Bishop Auckland Bay Horse and Spennymoor Victoria saw the visiting side walk away convincing winners. Karl Cranswick, Andy Cairns and Alan Shaw took the first three singles games to give the Vic a good start before Chris Ball pulled one back for the home side. Stephen Hodgson then won the final singles game to give the Victoria a 4-1 lead. The Victoria then took the A Doubles through Andy Cairns and Karl Cranswick, and then Ian Cranswick and Micky Anderson won the B Doubles with Alan Shaw winning the Captains to give the Victoria a six points victory.

Bishop Auckland Derby managed to whitewash Bishop Auckland Grand in a hard-fought game, this being the first time a team has taken all points in a game this season. David Brassell took the first singles and this was followed by victories for Steven Lowther, Gary Dixon, Michael Richardson and Stuart Milne. Steven Lowther and Kevin Singleton combined to take the A Doubles while Stuart Milne and Jeff Dixon won the B Doubles. Andrew Delve then sealed the whitewash victory with a well-won captains game.

Bishop Auckland Manor showed fighting spirit in their match against Spennymoor Voltigeur. Ian Golightly took the first singles game for the Manor before Darren Briggs, David Graham and Michael Craddock won the next three for the Voltigeur. Ron Wright then made it 3-2 and started the comeback. John Collinson and Steven Welford winning the A Doubles, Billy Jardine and Chris Henderson the B Doubles and Tony Cotgrave the Captains to give the Manor a narrow victory.

Results: Bishop Auckland Derby 8 Bishop Auckland Grand 0; Bishop Auckland Bay Horse 1 Spennymoor Victoria 7; Henknowle Manor 5 Spennymoor Voltigeur 3; Bishop Auckland Aclet 6 Spennymoor Hillingdon 2; Bishop Auckland Kings Head 6 Spennymoor Wheatsheaf 2

Tow Law League

The annual meeting will be held at Tow Law Cattle Mart on Tuesday, April 16 (7.30pm) prompt. There are vacancies for any new teams and anyone requiring advance information should contact Malcolm Boughey at Tow Law Cattle Mart. Only teams represented at the AGM will be admitted to the league for the new season.

P W L Pts

Tow Law Station 22 17 5 130

Tow Law New Market B 22 16 6 120

Lanchester King's Head 22 14 8 116

Tow Law Black Horse A 22 16 6 112

Tow Law Football Club 22 14 8 111

Esh Football Club 22 12 10 105

Tow Law Rose & Crown 22 11 11 102

Sunniside Comedian 22 12 10 96

Tow Law Cattle Mart 22 9 13 94

Ham. Row Black Horse 22 9 13 86

Tow Law New Market A 22 0 22 61

Tow Law Black Horse B 22 2 20 55

Durham County

Super League

After five weeks of the new season newcomers Horden remain the only unbeaten side in the league. They continued their good start in the league with a 9-5 win on their visit to Consett. Winners for Horden with two wins were David Jones, Darren Jones, John Bourne and James Evans, one win for Steve Nixon. Consett replied with wins from Dave Harrop, Alan Dixon, Seamus Nolan, Adrian Kavanagh and Colin Armstrong.

Aycliffe A also won 9-5 when they beat the visiting Durham A. Winners for Aycliffe A were with two wins Craig Poskett and Johnny Mason, there was one win each for Dave Bromley, Eddie Mackay, Andrew Tuesday, Steven Bainbridge and Gavin Shaw. Durham replied with two wins from Simon Baker and one win each from Paul Shutt, Barry Dowson and Dave Neill.

Crook A continued their good start to the season with a 8-6 victory away to Aycliffe B. Winners for Crook A with two wins were Michael Burke and one win each for Steven Liddle, Neil Campbell, Aaron Cowen, Peter Coates, Steven Heyes and Dougy Bowey. Aycliffe B replied with two wins from Ross Killip and one win each from Gary Spooner, Richie Bellwood, Roy Mclean and Gary Parker.

Crook B had their first win of the season when they entertained Shildon and won 9-5. Winners for Crook B with two wins were Darren Tinkler and David Stephenson, one win each for Gerald Parkin, Steve Hunter, Les Scott, Gavin Witton and John Warriner. Shildon replied with wins from Paul Armstrong, Michael Hoggart, Martin Taylor, Andrew Tennant and Ian Sanderson.

Durham B went down to their first defeat of the season when they entertained Ferryhill and lost 8-6