There were two significant individual defeats last week when John Bourne of Wingate lost for the first time since joining the league over a year ago, whilst Paul Biddle of Spennymoor A went down to his first defeat this season.

Wingate, the Second Division leaders, visited Stanley Central and opened out with wins from Jimmy Mason and Geoff Howe. However, Norman Rimmington, a fairly recent recruit to the Central team, pulled off a shock victory when he beat John Bourne on the final pink. Steve Allen was not upset by this reversal and went on to win the vital third point for the visitors, whilst Harry Grimes restored the home pride with a win in the final frame.

Spennymoor A, leaders of the First Division, visited Brandon and raced into a winning lead with wins from Eddie Rhodes, Paul Atkinson and John Wilson. The shock came in the fourth frame, where Brandon's Kevin Sample inflicted the first defeat on Paul Biddle by a good margin and Colin Goodrick continued the good work for Brandon by taking the final frame.

Old Shildon closed the gap at the top of the First Division to one point when they only dropped one frame on their enforced visit to Meadowfield. Old Shildon should have been at home but damage to their table caused them to have to change the venue. Meadowfield made a great start when Craig Hughes won but form there the visitors took over with wins from Charlie Blake, Billy Goggins, Steven Bennett and Michael Pratt.

Wheatley Hill A maintained the pace to remain a point behind Old Shildon when they had a similar match at home to Witton Gilbert, John Rooney senior took the first frame for Witton but then the Hill went to victory with wins from Jack Wright, Ronnie Peacock, Dave Walker and Dennis Clish.

Cockton Hill slipped a point behind Wheatley Hill A after they dropped two points on their visit to Willington, who had wins from Stan Bennett and Gordon Parkin. The visiting winners were Vickers Bell, Andrew Aisbitt and George Chapman.

Sherburn Village took the first three points against the visiting Newton Aycliffe with wins from Peter McGowan, John Bower and Michael Crisp. The visitors took the remaining points through Stuart Neil and Mark Howe.

Fishburn A had to come from behind to beat their hosts at Shotton Palms in the decider. Charlie Hirst put Fishburn ahead but then the home side had points from John Armstrong and Dave Swindle. However John Griffin equalised and then Fishburn's Brian Quest beat Colin Jobes in the decider.

Bearpark, the only unbeaten team in any division, moved just a point behind Wingate at the top of the Second Division after they whitewashed their hosts at Hunwick A. The visitors points came from Alan Cooper, Glen Morton, Shaun Easter, Alan Smith and David Jackson.

Newhouse occupy third position in the Second Division but are now four points behind Bearpark despite dropping only one point to the visiting Crowtrees A. Keith McLauchlan was the only visiting winners, whilst Kevin Allison, Steve Mountain, Ian Dinsdale and John Maddox took Newhouse to victory.

Ferryhill edged through to an odd point home win over Wheatley Hill B when Adrian Jones put in a 36 break to beat the visiting Tony Ellison. Earlier Ferryhill had wins from Ian Fawcett with a 35 break and Neil Spender with replies coming from Steve Cave and Kenny Johnson.

Langley Park gave their league position a boost after they only dropped one point at Spennymoor B, who had Alan Rowell as their only winner. Stephen Coates, Paul Nord, Ray Coates and Kevin Keers took the points for the Park.

Coundon shot to the top of the Third Division after they only dropped one point to the visiting Leeholme B, who had Lee Todd as their only winner. Willy Shoulder, John Paul Wringe, Gary Goulbourne and Frank Nicholson won for Coundon, who are now one point ahead of Sacriston.

Crook Belle Vue entertained Sacriston and went three down as the visitors had wins from Steven Bradley, Dale Evans and Jeff Evans. However the home side recovered to stay just three points behind Sacriston when Eric Lockerbie and John Warriner took the last two frames for Belle Vue.

Durham City's title hopes took a dive when they went down in the decider at Tow Law despite twice being in the lead. Michael Pratt put the visitors ahead with Doug Watson levelling. Gary Ward restored Durham's lead only to see Charlie Donaghy equalise. In the decider the Lawyers, Tommy Williams beat Brian Dunn.

Crowtrees B were never headed by the visiting New Durham and went on to win the decider. Dave Taylor put the home side ahead but Kevin Scullion levelled. Terry Gibson restored the home lead but Thomas Cairns put in a 40 break to equalise. In the decider Crowtrees' Steve Johnson beat Alan Waring.

Only Lawrence Jones managed to take a point for Leeholme A in their home match against Hunwick B, who had wins from David Penman, Barry Fleming, Trevor Lomax and John Bate.

Delegates are reminded that any proposals for changes to the constitution must be in the hands of the secretary by Monday, 27 January. All results from competitions are due in at the same time.

Results: Tow Law 3 Durham City 2; Leeholme A 1 Hunwick B 4; Newhouse 4 Crowtrees A 1; Sherburn Village 3 Newton Aycliffe 2; Brandon 2 Spennymoor A 3; Crowtrees B 3 New Durham 2; Coundon 4 Leeholme B 1; Hunwick A 0 Bearpark 5; Wheatley Hill A 4 Witton Gilbert 1; Ferryhill 3 Wheatley Hill B 2; Shotton Palms 2 Fishburn A 3; Meadowfield 1 Old Shildon 4; Crook Belle Vue 2 Sacriston 3; Spennymoor B 1 Langley Park 4; Willington 2 Cockton Hill 3; Stanley Central 2 Wingate 3.