Worthington CIU Summer League - Langley Park saw their chances of promotion to Division One fade rapidly when they only picked up one point from their home match against challengers, Brandon.

This result leaves the Park six points behind the leading Ferryhill with two games to play, whilst Brandon are only one behind the leaders and Sherburn Village four, but both have only one match left.

John Hall and Colin Goodrick got Brandon off to a very good start by taking the first two points. Kevin Keers gave Langley Park a lifeline when he took the third frame but Brandon lifted their own promotion chances when Kevin Sample and Graham Jackson completed a good win.

Ferryhill raced away to a three point lead at Newhouse A with wins from led Lewis, Glyn Toas and Ian Roddam. However Steve Mountain put in a 33 break for Newhouse, who went on to take the final point through Kevin Allison.

Sherburn Village kept their promotion hopes alive when they beat the visiting Crook Belle Vue by the odd point. Ken Rider put the visitors ahead but then Sherburn took three in a row through Scott Mallaburn with a 35 break, John Bower and Alan Greener before Harold Lomax fought back to take the final point for Belle Vue.

Durham City, already almost certainly doomed to relegation to the Third Division, beat visiting strugglers, Newhouse B by the odd point with wins from Brian Dunn, Michael Pratt and Gary Ward, who put in a 40 break. John O'Driscoll and David Jackson won for the visitors.

First Division leaders, Wheatley Hill A were stretched before they came through in the decider at Stanley Central, who slipped into a relegation spot. Alan Hall and Ronnie Peacock put the Hill ahead but Harold Grimes and Michael Vicary pulled the Central level. In the decider Wheatley Hill's Dean Bryden beat Walter Cornell.

Second placed Old Shildon closed the gap on leaders, Wheatley Hill A to six points when they only dropped one point to the visiting Witton Gilbert. John Rooney senior took the visitors only point but he had to fight hard to win on the black after Michael Pratt had put in an early 32 break. Shildon's points came from Jossie Aldworth, Billy Goggins, Stephen Bennett with a 37 break and Frank Nicholson.

Fishburn A and Newton Aycliffe share third place in Division One after both made odd point wins. Fishburn went three up at Wheatley Hill B with wins from John Griffin, Brian Quest and John carter, who won on a re-spotted black. Tony Ellison then won for the Hill and Ken Johnson added to their score with a win on another re-spotted black.

Newton Aycliffe had points from John Briddick, Michael Hewitt and Steve Nelson on their visit to Shotton Palms, who replied with wins for father and son, Jimmy Evans senior and junior. This result leaves Shotton skating very close to the relegation spot.

Spennymoor A eased their relegation problems when they only dropped one point on their visit to Willington but are now just one point clear of Stanley Central. The home side had Jeremy Martin as their only winner, whilst John Wilson, Paul Biddle, Ronnie Bateman and Alan Clark scored for the Moors.

In the Third Division, the leaders, Spennymoor B were without a match but still lead by seven points after West Auckland were taken to a black ball decider at Tow Law. Kelvin Fletcher and David Geraty put West ahead but Tommy Williams and Stephen Laing squared the match. In the decider West's Andrew dent put in a 31 break with his first visit and moved 41 ahead until Charlie Donaghy pulled back to force a black ball fight, which was ended with Dent snicking in a brilliant ball to he middle pocket.

Crowtrees moved in a point behind West Auckland, but have played an extra game, when they only dropped one point to the visiting Leeholme A, who had Barry Shaw as their point scorer with a 25 break. The home side had wins from Phil Whitfield, Sonny Hann, Keith McLauchlan and Sean Johnston.

Hunwick slipped a point behind Crowtrees when they went down in the decider at Fishburn B. Arnold Fleming put Hunwick ahead with Alan Wilson levelling. Des Mason restored the visitor's lead only to see Michael bell level. In the decider Fishburn's Wayne Oliver beat John Bate.

Sacriston were never headed on their visit to Leeholme B. Mark brown put the visitors ahead with John Taylor levelling. John Evans renewed Sacriston's lead but Karl Thompson pulled the scores level again. In the decider, Sacriston's Alan Richardson beat Stephen Bainbridge.

Results: Tow Law 2 West Auckland 3; Shotton Palms 2 Newton Aycliffe 3; Durham City 3 Newhouse B 2; Leeholme B 2 Sacriston 3; Willington 1 Spennymoor B 4; Wheatley Hill B 2 Fishburn A 3; Sherburn Village 3 Crook Belle Vue 2; Crowtrees 4 Leeholme A 1; Old Shildon 4 Witton Gilbert 1; Newhouse A 2 Ferryhill 3; Fishburn B 3 Hunwick 2; Stanley Central 2 Wheatley Hill A 3; Langley Park 1 Brandon 4.

Worthington CIU

Winter League

Verbal entries were taken for the new season, which begins on Tuesday, October 9 from Brandon, Crowtrees, Durham City, Ferryhill, Hunwick A, Langley Park, Leeholme A, Leeholme B, Meadowfield, Newhouse A, Newton Aycliffe, Sacriston, Sherburn Village, Shotton Palms, Spennymoor A, Spennymoor B, Stanley Central, Tow Law A, West Auckland, Wheatley Hill A, Wheatley Hill B, Willington and Witton Gilbert.

Replies are awaited from Belmont, Cockton Hill, Hunwick B, Newhouse B, Tow Law B and Wingate, who were all members last year. Entry forms have also been posted to all former members in the hope that they might return to competitive snooker.

Any CIU affiliated establishment which would like to join will be welcome. Further information can be obtained by telephoning (01388) 730444 and talking to the secretary. Entries will close on Thursday, September 27.