Worthington CIU Singles Championship

Paul Atkinson of Willington landed the CIU Singles Championship when he beat Michael Pratt of Old Shildon in the deciding fifth frame at Spennymoor having never being in the lead until the end.

The first frame was a nondescript affair, with both players trying out the table and both finding difficulty in adapting to the conditions. However, the scrappy affair ended with a win for Pratt. He looked to be going two up but missed a relatively simple brown and allowed Atkinson in to clear the colours to level the match.

Pratt pushed himself into the lead again by winning the third frame but Atkinson levelled when he won on the pink. In the decider Atkinson edged into a twenty point lead early in the frame and then with two reds left he took both with a pink and a black. This left him 34 in front with only 35 on the table. Pratt tried a long round the table safety shot but was unlucky to drop in-off and he conceded.

Both finalists had made whitewash victories in their semi-finals. Atkinson beat Jimmy Dufton of Stanley Central 3-0 at Tow Law while Pratt beat Adrian Twist of Sherburn Village 3-0 at Leeholme.

Norman Fowler Memorial

The first three games of the third round saw none of the players at their best although all three games were won in straight frames. Tom Parkin of Willington never reached his normal standard when he played Alan Todd of Stanley and lost 2-0. Todd was far from the form he showed in the early rounds but two short runs of 16 and 20 in the second frame clinched his victory after a rather scrappy first frame.

Tow Law's remaining representative, Edward Umpelby couldn't use his knowledge of his own table to work for him against Steven Bennett of Newton Aycliffe. Bennett steadily built up a lead in the first frame and then a 23 break at a vital stage of the second, when Umpelby looked to be in with a good chance, killed the game.

Sonny Hann of Bowburn had traffic problems and arrived late to go straight into action against Paul Atkinson of Willington. Hann never settled in the first frame and eventually resigned on the yellow. He made a distinct improvement in the second frame until Atkinson ran in a 28 break to go through.

Michael Pratt of Chilton was left waiting at the table when Robert Roche of Langley Park failed to turn up and so Pratt went through.

Tomorrow, Jimmy Evans of Birtley plays Ian Dinsdale of Esh Winning and Charlie Blake of Middleton-in-Teesdale plays John Armstrong of Shotton Colliery.

On Thursday, October 5, Steven Bennett of Newton Aycliffe plays either Arthur Goldsborough of Willington or Andrew Aisbitt of Bishop Auckland.

Jack Jobson Memorial Handicap Singles

Ithe first semi-final, played at Willington, Frank Nicholson of Old Shildon managed to give Arnold Fleming 23 points start per frame and win the best of five frames by 3-1. In the final Nicholson will play either John Armstrong or Jimmy Evans, both of Shotton Palms, who meet at Leeholme in the second semi-final. The final will be held at Billy Row Club at 7.30pm on Thursday, October 12.

Worthington CIU Summer

The top ten players in the First Division were; 1 Michael Pratt (Old Shildon) P16, W16, L0, 1113 points; 2 Dave Walker (Wheatley Hill A) 15, 13, 2, 945; 3 Charlie Blake (Old Shildon) 15, 12, 3, 909; 4 John Griffin (Fishburn A) 16, 12, 4, 903; 5 John Carter (Fishburn A) 13, 11, 2, 733; 6 Jimmy Evans (Shotton Palms) 15, 11, 4, 772: 7 John Rooney sen (Witton Gilbert) 15, 10, 5, 809; 8 Paul Biddle (Spennymoor A) 15, 10, 5, 761; 9 Peter Davison (Fishburn A) 16, 10, 6, 833; 10 Ian Renwick (Witton Gilbert) 16, 10, 6, 813.

The top ten in the Second Division were; 1 Paul Atkinson (Willington) 15, 14, 1, 1053; 2 Jeremy Martin (Willington) 16, 14, 2, 886; 3 Geoff Howe (Wingate) 16, 12, 4, 923; 4 Harold Lomax (Crook Belle Vue) 16, 11, 5, 832; 5 Dave Blyth (Wheatley Hill B) 15, 10, 5, 815: 6 Barry Stoddart (Durham City) 15, 10, 5, 743; 7 Tom Parkin (Willington) 15, 10, 5, 665; 8 John Hall (Brandon) 16, 10, 6, 804; 9 Dean Jones (Wingate) 16, 10, 6, 797; 10 Ian Dinsdale (Newhouse A) 16, 10, 6, 795.

The top ten Division Three players were; 1 Brian Eltringham (Newhouse B) 15, 13, 2, 837; 2 Alan McCluskey (Newhouse B) 16, 13, 3, 985; 3 Keith McLaughlan (Crowtrees) 16, 13, 3, 942; 4 Ken Robinson (Tow Law) 16, 13, 3, 858; 5 George Whitelock (Fishburn B) 16, 12, 4, 923; 6 Wayne Parry (Spennymoor B) 16, 12, 4, 787; 7 Craig Hughes (Meadowfield) 13, 11, 2, 702; 8 Tom Ward (Hunwick) 15, 11, 4, 827; 9 Trevor Lomax (Hunwick) 16, 11, 5, 838; 10 David Jackson (Newhouse B) 11, 10, 1, 639.

The top three breaks from each division were; Division One: 1 Michael Pratt (Old Shildon) 87; 2 Dave Walker (Wheatley Hill A) 78; 3 Michael Pratt (Old Shildon) 67.

Division Two: 1 Steven Armstrong (Langley Park) 47; 2 Jeremy Martin (Willington) 42; 3 Paul Atkinson (Willington) 41.

Division Three: 1 Brian Eltringham (Newhouse B) 48; 2 Alan McClusky (Newhouse B) 43; 3 Brian Eltringham (Newhouse B) 39

Crook League

Ithe first games of the new season Crook Golden Fleece pulled off a good win in the deciding doubles at Crook Jelly's Bar. In the singles the home side had points from Stephen Belshaw, Sean Lauder and Kevin Carter while Syd Booth, Adrian Cowan and Richard Dobson pulled the visitors level. In the final doubles the Fleece went to victory when Stephen Fairgrieve and Syd Booth beat Stephen Fairhurst and Stephen Russ.

Results: Crook Jelly's Bar 3, Crook Golden Fleece 4; Crook White Swan 2, Crook Coach and Horses B 5; Crook Surtees 6, Crook Queen's Head B 1; Crook Belle Vue 7, Crook Spitfire Club 0; Crook Travellers Rest A 0, Crook Travellers Rest B 7; Crook Olde Horse Shoe A 6, Willington Market 1; Crook Queen's Head A 3, Crook Royal Sun 4; Crook Mill House A v Crook Mill House B postponed