Worthington C.I.U. Winter League

Bearpark A extended their unbeaten run when they only dropped one point to the visiting Meadowfield and lead the First Division by three points.

Glen Morton, who tops the unbeaten players list, gave the home team a good start with a win over Stephen Hughes. Shaun Easter followed by beating the visiting David Murray and Steven Armstrong increased the home lead by beating Michael McNay. Meadowfield won their only point in the fourth match when Kevin Sample beat Alex Donaldson on the black. David Craggs put in a 54 break to complete the Bearpark win by beating Warren Kennick.

Hunwick A won by the odd point on their visit to Cockton Hill A. Martin Perry put the visitors ahead but Lee Taylor equalised. However wins from Dale Wilson and Paul Atkinson ensured the visitors of victory but Andrew Aisbitt kept the deficit to a minimum when he beat Steven Webb in the final frame.

Newton Aycliffe slipped to their second defeat of the season when they visited Spennymoor. The visitors went ahead with a win from Alan Keeney, his tenth from 11 games. However the home side were inspired when Paul Biddle’s 43 break equalised and they went on to take the remaining three frames with wins from Alan Clarke, Paul Davison and Alan Rouell.

Durham City’s hopes of a hat trick of consecutive victories were strengthened when Gary Ward won the first frame against the visiting Wheatley Hill. However the visitors settled to the task and took the remaining frames with wins from Jack Wright, Dave Walker, Billy Walker and Alan Hall.

The Sherburn Village revival continued when they made their third consecutive victory after starting the season with eight defeats. Crowtrees were the visitors and they went two down when the villagers had wins from Alan Greener and Andrew Stephenson. Ray Pirt pulled one back for the visitors but Scott Mallaburn made certain of a home win in the fourth. The Crowtrees defeat was kept to a minimum when Sonny Hann won the final frame.

Ferryhill A visited Fishburn looking for points to get away from the foot of the First Division. Paul Batey gave them a good start but the home team took the next three points with wins from Charlie Hirst, who put in a 30 break, Brian Quest and John Dunn. Ian Fawcett took the final frame for Ferryhill.

Results: Durham City 1 Wheatley Hill 4; Cockton Hill A 2 Hunwick A 3; Fishburn 3 Ferryhill A 2; Bearpark A 4 Meadowfield 1; Sherburn Village 3 Crowtrees 2. Postponed; Thornley v Wingate.

Second Division leaders, Shildon Elm Road went behind when Stephen Turnbull won the first game for the visiting Langley Park A. However Paul Armstrong levelled and John Tomlinson put the home side ahead after he beat Paul Wright, who was previously unbeaten in the league. Andrew Tennant and Graeme Witton completed the victory which took them three points clear at the top.

Langley Park B entertained Cockton Hill B and went into a two-nil lead with wins from Ian Kerr and Malcolm Peart. However the visitors equalised with wins from Mark Wharton and Colin Walker. In the decider the Park went to victory when Michael Vicary beat Richard Taylor.

Stanley Central continued their recovery from their poor start to the season with a comfortable victory at Crook Belle Vue, who had Ian Turner as their only winner. The visitors had points from Ray Oliver, Jason Johnson, Alan Hogarth and Rob Hogarth

Matthew Christopher put in a 38 break to take the only point for Belmont against the visiting Bearpark B, who had wins from Tony Wilson, John Peart, Antony Cooper and David Jackson.

Hunwick B only dropped one point to the visiting Sacriston, who had Michael Frazer as their winner. The home team had wins from Vickers Bell, Cliffy Owen, on his debut for the season, Barry Fleming and Neville Hawkins.

Ferryhill B produced their best result of the season when they whitewashed the visiting New Durham with wins from Craig Wilkinson, Trevor Bowden, Ian Roddam with a 36 break, Adrian Jones and Terry Roddam.

Results: Hunwick B 4 Sacriston 1; Shildon lm Road 4 Langley Park A 1; Ferryhill B 5 New Durham 0; Crook Belle Vue 1 Stanley Central 4; Belmont 1 Bearpark B 4; Langley Park B 3 Cockton Hill B 2. Trimdon Colliery had a bye.

It was Lee Shepherd’s week in the league when he moved to the top of the table with two stunning victories at Redcar Lakes Club.

In his first outing Shepherd produced four breaks in the forties and a best of 51 to beat the visiting Peter Shaw, who was disappointed to lose three frames on the colours, for the loss of only one point.

The league leader, Phil Hartley visited the Lakes Club and suffered in a demolition derby when Lee Shepherd excelled to win for the loss of only one frame. Shepherd quickly stormed into a 3-0 lead, with Phil offering hardly any threat and struggling with the slow pace of the table. Phil finally managed to slow his opponent down and take the fourth frame. However it was soon business as usual from Lee and with some fluent potting, without any big breaks, won the next three frames with ease against a very gifted but lack-lustre opponent on the night.

Results: Lee Shepherd 6 Peter Shaw 1; Lee Shepherd 6 Phil Hartley 1.

Worthington C.I.U. Team Knock Out

In a thrilling First Round match, Fishburn visited Langley Park A, where they received eight points start. This was immediately increased when Alan Wilson beat Dan Tabiner by ten and Andrew Nicks beat Paul Wright by 25. The home team responded positively when Robert Roche beat John Dunn by 35 and Peter Morgan beat Brian Quest by 11 to send Stephen Turnbull into the final frame with three points start over Charlie Hirst.

In a tense decider the result went to depending on the final black, which Charlie Hirst dispatched to give Fishburn a one point victory. It became a double disappointment for Langley Park A as they not only suffered defeat they were fined for a late score sheet.

Round Two result: Langley Park A 260 Fishburn 261.

Worthington C.I.U. Team Plate

The draw for the First Round to be played on Tuesday, 27 January is Stanley Central v Ferryhill B; Trimdon Colliery v Sherburn Village; New Durham bye; Hunwick B v Wingate; Spennymoor bye; Bearpark A bye; Cockton Hill A v Belmont; Ferryhill A v Crowtrees.