Tow Law Area League: Esh Stag's Head took a hammering at Newhouse Club and had their lead at the top of the table reduced to only two points, whilst Esh McKennas and Billy Row Club moved up to share second place, one point ahead of Tow Law New Market A.

Newhouse went four up in the singles with wins from Michael Barron, Elaine Rowlands, Olive Jones and John Crane before the Stag's opened their account by taking the last two singles through John Hodgson and Craig Tomlinson. However the home side came back to take all three doubles and inflict the leaders third, but by far their heaviest defeat, this season.

Esh McKennas came through to win the decider when they entertained Tow Law New Market B. The singles were shared with Colin Leigh, John Starr and Alan Hennigan winning for the home side and Doris Elsbury, Michael Bell and Tom Hauxwell replying. The first two doubles were shared but McKennas edged to victory when John Starr and Edith Starr beat Joe Jordan and Stephen Umpelby in the decider.

Results: Tow Law Dan's Castle 4 Cornsay Royal Oak 5; Tow Law New Market A 3 Billy Row Club 6; Sunniside Comedian 6 Tow Law Rose and Crown 3; Tow Law Station 2 Hamsteels Inn 7; Esh McKennas 5 Tow Law New Market B 4; Newhouse Club 7 Esh Stag's Head 2.

Crook League

Crook White Swan needed a big win on their trip to Willington Market to ease their relegation worries but they only succeeded in winning by the odd point. The Market had singles wins from John Blackett and Adrian Peacock to add to the doubles of Blackett and Ian Moore whilst the Swan edged to victory with singles points from John Varley, Stephen Murphy, Darren Deuchars and Les Airey.

Crook Belle Vue lead the First Division by six points from Crook Royal Sun, who have a match in hand and a five points lead over Crook Queen's Head A and Crook Travellers Rest B, who share third place.

In the top of the table clash in the Second Division, Willington Brewer's Droop won by the odd point at Hunwick Club to go level on points at the top wit the Brewer's having a match in hand. Crook King's Head are seven points adrift of the leading pair.

Hunwick Club had singles wins from Davey Robson, Geoff Moore and Ian Richardson, whilst Jimmy Fleming, Vince Conaty and Ian Stoker levelled. In the deciding doubles, Billy Wragg and Vince Conaty beat the Hunwick pair of David Thompson and Davey Robson.

Results: Travellers Rest B 3 Queen's Head A 4; Surtees 4 Golden Fleece A 3; Coach and Horses B 3 King's Head 4; Social Club 4 Howden Australian 3; Queen's Head B 6 Jelly's Bar B 1; Golden Fleece B 4 Spitfire Club 3; Hunwick Club 3 Willington Brewer's Droop 4; Willington Market 3 White Swan 4; Olde Horse Shoe A 6 Coach and Horses A 1; Jelly's Bar A 3 Belle Vue 4; Mill House 6 Olde Horse Shoe B 1.

Tow Law and District League

Tow Law Football Club extended their lead at the top of the table to two points after they won in the decider at Sunniside Comedian, whilst Newhouse Club, in second place, lost by the odd point at Tow Law New Market A. Tow Law Dan's Castle B and Tow Law New Market B share third place a point behind Newhouse after the Market B beat the Castle B by the odd point.

Sunniside Comedian went ahead in their home match against Tow Law Football Club through David Thompson but Charlie McGee and Terry Ginty took the next two to put the footballers ahead. Chris Railton levelled the match but then Charlie Donaghy took the footballers to victory when he beat Dave Walton in the decider.

Tow Law Dan's Castle B shot into a 2-0 home lead over Tow Law New Market B with wins from David Murray and Anthony Lee. However Gavin Tennant and Ton Hauxwell equalised. In the decider ray Weir took the Market to victory when he beat John Murray.

Results: Hamilton Row Black Horse 2 Tow Law Dan's Castle A 3; Tow Law New Market A 3 Newhouse Club 2; Tow Law Rose and Crown 3 Tow Law Station 2; Tow Law Dan's Castle B 2 Tow Law New Market B 3; Sunniside Comedian 2 Tow Law FC 3.