Tow Law Area League

Esh Stag's Head made the fullest use of their doubles skills to win at Tow Law New Market A, who are now in fourth place. The New Market had singles wins from Gary Parker, John Parkin and Kenneth Atkinson, whilst the Stag's Head levelled with wins from Mike Wightman, Mally Walker and Alan Maughan. However from that point the Stag's Head won all three doubles to move four points behind the leaders, Newhouse Club, who have played an extra match.

Tow Law New Market B lost a good chance to move up to make a more serious challenge on Newhouse Club when they were beaten by the odd point at Tow Law Rose and Crown. The singles were shared with Vina Gwynnette, Tony English and George Gwynnette winning for the Rose and Crown, whilst Tom Dowson, Gavin Tennant and Tom Hauxwell levelled the match. After the first two doubles were shared the Rose and Crown went to victory when Joan Corrigan and Vina Gwynnette beat Tom Hauxwell and Gavin Tennant. This defeat leaves the New Market B two points behind the Stag's Head and two ahead of the New Market A, but both the B team's rivals have played one match less.

Results: Sunniside Comedian 5 Cornsay Royal Oak 4; Tow Law Dan's Castle 3 Newhouse Club 6; Hamilton Row Black Horse 6 Tow Law Station 3; Esh McKennas 3 Sunniside Moss Inn 6; Stanley Earl Derby 4 Tow Law Cattle Mart 6; Tow Law Rose and Crown 5 Tow Law New Market B 4; Tow Law New Market A 3 Esh Stag's Head 6.

Willington League

Willington Lion and Unicorn were able to put further pressure on the leaders, Willington Black Horse Tavern, who lead Willington Black Horse Inn by six points, to move only four points behind the Inn with a match in hand after they had beaten the visiting Willington Brewer's Droop.

The Lion and Unicorn had singles wins from Phil Blyth, Phil Allison and Alan Lee with the Brewer's Droop taking points through Jason Martin and Vince Conaty. The home side then completed a good win when they took both doubles through Phil Allison with Kevin Hill and Alan Lee with Phil Blyth.

Results: Willington Black Horse Inn 3 Willington Burn 4; Willington Club 4 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 3; Prospect Club 0 Willington Black Horse Tavern 7; Hunwick Quarry 4 Willington Cottles 3; Willington Lion and Unicorn 5 Willington Brewer's Droop 2; Victoria Club 4 Hunwick Joiners Arms 3.

Willington and

District League

Willington Cottles A held on to their top spot after they only dropped one point to their B team. However the Prospect Club also recorded a similar success over the visiting Hunwick Quarry to stay just one point behind Cottles A, who have played an extra match.

Brett Fleming, Paul Trow, Joe Bone and Gary Spark won for Cottles A with Alan Fleming taking the only point for the B team.

Willington Brewer's Droop B moved three points behind the Prospect Club after whitewashing their A team with points from Bob Saunders, Jimmy Fleming, Vince Conaty, Davey Gallagher and Ron Thompson.

Results: Hunwick Club 4 Sunnybrow Brown Trout 1; Willington Brewer's Droop A 0 Willington Brewer's Droop B 5; Willington Cottles A 4 Willington Cottles B 1; Prospect Club 4 Hunwick Quarry 1.

Crook League

League leaders, Crook Belle Vue began the New Year with their fourth defeat of the season when they went down in the decider at Crook Travellers Rest B. The Travellers had singles wins from Jim Ainsley, Bill Fairhurst and Michael Burke, whilst the Club levelled with wins from Jack Walker, John Warriner and Roy Hoggarth. In the deciding doubles the Travellers Neil Campbell and Aaron Cowan beat Ivor Phillipson and Roy Hoggarth.

Despite this reversal the Belle Vue team still lead the First Division by three points from Crook Coach and Horses A, who are one point ahead of the Travellers Rest B.

Willington Market jumped to second place in the Second Division when they only dropped one point to the visiting league leaders, Crook Queen's Head B, who slipped down to share third place with Crook Jelly's Bar A. Crook Surtees lead the table by one from the Market, who are one ahead of the teams sharing third place.

Anthony Palin took the only point for the Queen's Head B, whilst Alan McAloon, John Blackett, Tommy Barrass, Syd Trow and Ian Moore took singles for the Market with Micky Toward and Stuart Shillan taking the doubles.

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