Riverside Car Sales

Singles League

Steve Woodier has retained his title for the fourth year running, but admits that its getting harder and harder every year. His unbeaten run of 73 matches came to an end this year as runner-up Stuart Richardson inflicted a massive 5-1 defeat, and in the latter part of the season Lee Ward inflicted a 4-2 defeat on Woodier, but Woodier would not give up his title easily and battled right to the last match which he had to win to keep his league title. First Steve defeated last season's third placed Kevin Pigott 4-2 after the match stood at 2-2 then defeated Andrew Koulias 6-0 but had a very tough match with Paul Burke. Paul went 1-0 up then 2-0 up and with four frames to play Woodier had to win them all Steve then turned the match round has he started to find a bit of form to draw level at 2-2 and then went 3-2 ahead in the fast frame Paul broke off and potted the white this give Woodier two shots and Steve kept his cool to hit an eight-ball clearance to win the match 4-2.

Stuart Richardson was second this year, having returned to the league after finishing sixth in 1999. He lost only one match - to Kev Pigott 4-2 - and and drew two all year. His best result was his 5-1 defeat of Woodier.

Kevin Pigott was fourth in 99, second in 2000 and third again this year. Pigott always seems to run out of steam on the run to the final weeks of games, dropping points against, Ward 3-3 and Woodier 4-2.

Tony Kay finished fourth this year and, representing Darlington, was outstanding in his first season and was only robbed of third place when some players in the league dropped out, costing Tony valuable points.

Mark Bean (5th) in his first season this year also from Darlington, showed some excellent form throughout the league, recording the most 6-0 whitewashes this year.

Paul Burke tenth in 99, sixth in 2000, and then sixth in 2001, Burke again finished in sixth this year, and with a little more luck and finding his finishing ability could have been the surprise package as winner of this year's league.

Geoff Peat 5th in 2000, 4th in 2001, and only seventh this year, Peat had a mixed year of results dropping surprise points everywhere and losing matches he would have expected to win.

Michael Gray was eight in his first year and improvement guaranteed, all aspects of game look good just more consistency required to turn defeats into wins.

Lee Ward finished a creditable ninth, against a very strong field, greatest victory being the defeat of Steve Woodier 4-2.

l The league would like to thank sponsors Riverside Car Sales for providing three crystal clocks and Tables in Thornaby who helped with the prize money and free practice tables. The new singles league will be starting in February.

Willington League

Hunwick Quarry Burn went to the Prospect Club as the leaders but they only managed to pick up two points, which allowed Hunwick Club to shoot three points ahead of them and their hosts to move up to share the second spot. Howden Australian are one point behind with a match in hand.

The Prospect Club raced to a 5-0 lead with singles wins from Adrian Peacock, Shaun Blyth, Trevor Allchurch, Ernie Sample and Phil Blyth before the visitors took their first point through Dave Edmundson. The home side completed the win when they took the first two of three doubles points.

Sunnybrow Brown Trout came through a tight match at home to Willington Commercial before edging through to an odd point victory. The Trout had singles wins from Harry Sewell, Stephen Liddle, Steve Richardson and Tom Liddle with the Commercial replying through Keith Patterson and Ben Parkin. Trout clinched victory when Harry Sewell and Steve Richardson took the first doubles but the Commercial made the score close when Ben Parkin with Shaun Pardew and Darren Trow with Mark Plaskett took the last two doubles points.

Results: Willington Black Horse Tavern 9 Willington Brewer's Droop B 0; Willington Brewer's Droop A 6 Willington Market 3; Howden Australian 3 Hunwick Club 6; Prospect Club 7 Hunwick Quarry Burn 2; Sunnybrow Brown Trout 5 Willington Commercial 4.

Durham Ranking

Tournament

The first event of the New Year has had to be changed because of other commitments of many of the players. The new date is Sunday, 13 January at Durham Snooker Club, where all players have to register by noon. Advance information can be obtained on 0191 3831333.

Anyone is entitled to play to qualify for ranking points, which are accumulated to qualify players to compete for the big money prize at the end of the year. However there are big money prizes for each event depending on the number of entries. This is the second year for the competition, following a very successful first event, won by Michael Rhodes of Durham.

Bishop Auckland League

The annual meeting of the League will be held in Bishop Auckland King's Head on Tuesday, January 15 (8pm) when all teams competing must be represented.

There are vacancies for any teams interested in joining. The League uses the new English Pool Association Rules with each match made up of ten singles, two captain's singles and one doubles with the minimum number of players involved being five. Besides the standard league format, there is a Team Knock-out Cup and both singles and doubles championships.

Anyone requiring further information should telephone league secretary, Russell Place on (01388) 451232.

Tow Law League

The top 20 players in the season: 1st Charlie Donaghy (Tow Law Football Club) Played 17, won 16, lost 1, 94.12%; 2 David Craggs (Tow Law Black Horse A) 12, 11, 1, 91.67%; 3 Howard Spoors (Tow Law Black Horse A) 21, 18, 3, 85.71%; 4 equal John Hildreth (Sunniside Comedian) and Philip Slater (Tow Law Station) 12, 10, 2, 83.33% each; 6 Graeme Thompson (Lanchester King's Head) 21, 17, 4, 80.95%; 7 Andrew Burrows (Tow Law Station) 15, 12, 3, 80.00%; 8 equal Anthony Hird (Tow Law Black Horse A) and Ray Weir (Tow Law New Market B) 14, 11, 3, 78.57% each; 10 Les Hind (Tow Law Football Club) 21, 16, 5, 76.19%; 11 David Spencer (Tow Law New Market B) 12, 9, 3, 75.00; 12 Stephen Turner (Tow Law Station) 22, 16, 6, 72.73%; 13 equal Keith Race (Sunniside Comedian) and John Robinson (Esh Football Club) 18, 13, 5, 72.22% each; 15 Chris Bowes (Tow Law Rose & Crown) 20, 14, 6, 70.00%; 16 equal Malcolm Boughey (Tow Law Cattle Mart) and Lee Mowbray (Tow Law Rose & Crown) 19, 13, 6, 68.42%; 18 Harry Wales (Lanchester King's Head) 22, 15, 7, 68.18%; 19 equal Colin Armstrong (Tow Law New Market B) and Alan Henderson (Tow Law New Market B) 15, 10, 5, 66.67% each.

CIU Team Championship

Quarter final results: Osbourne beat Quarrington Hill A; Easington Colliery beat Grange Villa; Shotton Comrades beat North Biddick; Quarrington Hill B beat High Fell.