Shotton are still top dogs

Shotton Palms held onto their top spot in the First Division with an odd point victory at Newton Aycliffe. The visitors ensured their win when Barry Hall, Dave Swindle and John Armstrong took the first three points, but Newton Aycliffe came back to take the last two through John Briddick and Ritchie Young. This win leaves Shotton Palms one point clear of Old Shildon and Wheatley Hill A, who share second place.

Old Shildon were taken to the decider before they edged through to an odd point win at Spennymoor A. Michael Pratt and Billy Goggins put the visitors ahead but Karl Welsh and Paul Biddle levelled. In the decider Shildon's Charlie Blake beat John Wilson.

Wheatley Hill A pulled up level with Old Shildon after they only dropped one point an their visit to Ferryhill, who had Chris Buston as their only winner. The Hill's points came from Dave Walker with a 45 break, Alan Hall, Dennis Clish and Jack Wright.

Brandon retained their unbeaten record but were taken to the decider by the visiting Willington. Jeremy Martin put Willington ahead but then John Hall and Colin Goodrick won for the home side. Arthur Goldsborough put in a 35 break to level the match but then Brian graham beat Willington's Gordon Parkin to clinch victory.

Witton Gilbert were also taken to the decider when they entertained Cockton Hill, who surprisingly are still looking for their first win this season. Kevin Mordica put the Hill ahead but then Mark Appleby made a brilliant debut for Witton with a win over Andrew Aisbitt. John Rooney snr put Witton ahead but Paul Weighill levelled the match. However in the decider, Willis Joynes took the home side to victory by beating George Chapman.

Langley Park moved up to share top spot in the Second Division with Newhouse after they came back from a two points deficit at Sherburn Village to win the decider when Paul Morgan beat Michael Crisp. Scott Mallaburn and Alan Greener put Sherburn ahead but Paul Nord and Ray Coates set up the decider.

Newhouse went down to their first defeat of the season when they lost in the decider at Stanley Central, who recorded their first win. Michael Vicary put the central ahead but then saw Steve Mountain and John Maddox move Newhouse in front. Walter Cornell levelled the match and then Stanley's Mick Busby beat Kevin Allison in the decider.

Crowtrees moved into third place in another match, which went to the decider. They never held a lead against the visiting Belmont until Sonny Hann beat Russell Hancock in the decider. Steven Armstrong put Belmont ahead with Peter Laverick equalising. Gordon Blakelock restored the visitors lead but Keith McLauchlan set up the decider.

Meadowfield occupy fourth place in the Second Division after they took the first three points at Wheatley Hill B through Stephen Hughes, Norman Smith and Ian Hodgson. The Hill came back to take the last two points through Jock Frost and David Blyth.

Barry Shaw took the first point for Leeholme A at West Auckland, but then the home side took over and went two points clear at the top of the Third Division with wins from Paul Vickers, Andrew Dent, David Geraty and Andrew Sugden.

Bearpark moved into second place only two points behind West Auckland after they beat the visiting Coundon team in the decider. Glen Morton and Alan Guy put Bearpark ahead but Graham Goulbourne and Dennis Payne equalised. In the decider Bearpark's Alan Smith beat Andrew Hope.

Hunwick B moved up third place when they only dropped one point at Durham City, Michael Pratt took the first frame for the City but then Hunwick took over with wins from Tom Ward, John Bate, Barry Fleming and Trevor Lomax.

Fishburn B are in fourth place following their odd point win at Crook Belle Vue. Derek Potts put the home side ahead but then George Whitelock and Michael Bell won for the visitors. Arnold Fleming levelled the match but Fishburn went to victory when Dave Wilson beat Gordon Sample on the black.

Only Tommy Williams managed a point for Tow Law on their visit to Sacriston, who had wins from Stephen Bradley, Willy Nixon, Alan Richardson and Gary Barton.

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

Harry Little Memorial Handicap Pairs

Results: Ian Roddam & Les Lewis (22) Ferryhill lost to Paul Nord & Dixon Turnbull (21) Langley Park; Charlie Donaghy & Doug Watson (28) Tow Law beat Barry Stoddart & John Davies (32) Durham City; Andrew Sugden & Kelvin Fletcher (14) West Auckland beat John Worthington & Jack Wright (19) Wheatley Hill A; Charlie Blake & Steven Bennett (7) Old Shildon lost to Albert Bower & Michael Bower (31) Sherburn Village; N. Hubery & J. Whittaker (26) Ferryhill beat John Griffin & Brian Quest (8) Fishburn A; John Bower & Alan Greener (21) Sherburn Village lost to Steve Nelson & Stuart Neil (12) Newton Aycliffe; Brian Graham & John Hall (10) Brandon beat Bill McCluskey & Tommy Williams (31) Tow Law; Steven Cave & Jock Frost (26) Wheatley Hill B beat Dave Wilson & Alan Wilson (21) Fishburn A; Dave Walker & Alan Hall (10) Wheatley Hill A beat Gary Atkinson & Gary Surtees (50) Sacriston; Adrian Prest & Mark Brown (50) Leeholme lost to David Geraty & Andrew Dent (21) West Auckland; Tom Ward & Barry Fleming (29) Hunwick beat Michael Vicary & Dennis Payne (24) Stanley Central; Chris Morley & Steven Armstrong (15) Belmont beat Bob Reay & Ronnie Peacock (17) Wheatley Hill A; Kevin Sample & Owen Howarth (21) Brandon lost to Peter McGowan & Scott Mallaburn (17) Sherburn Village; Lawrence Jones & Anthony Forster (37) Leeholme lost to Neville Blenkinsop & Ian Richardson (28) Hunwick; Jossie Aldworth & Michael Pratt (5) Old Shildon beat David Blyth & Tony Ellison (19) Wheatley Hill B; Arnold Fleming & Trevor Lomax (28) Hunwick lost to Frank Nicholson & Billy Goggins (8) Old Shildon.

Crook League

Willington Market share second place in the First Division after they pipped the visiting Crook Coach and Horses B by the odd point. The home side made a good start when Ian Moore knocked in a 40 break to take over the highest break spot in the division. Mickey Toward and Paul Lauder took further singles for the Market, whilst wins from Andrew Reynolds, Michael Bridges and Steve Goddard levelled the match. In the deciding doubles, the Market's Paul Lauder and Mickey Toward beat Tony Willis and Gary Redmond. Crook Olde Horse Shoe A are nine points clear at the top of the First Division with Crook Travellers Rest B and Crook Belle Vue Club sharing the second place, one point ahead of Crook Olde Horse Shoe B. In the Second Division, Crook Spitfire Club hold a two-point lead over Crook Golden Fleece and Willington Market, who are two points ahead of Crook Jelly's Bar.

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