Stanley pull clear at Croft

In the only match played, Stanley Earl Derby A were able to open a seven points lead on their third placed hosts at Croft Social Club after they won the re-arranged game by five points.

The home side went 3-0 ahead with wins from Gordon Walker, Rebecca Newton and Paul Futter but then the visitors took over with two points each coming from Michael Jewitt and Ronnie Murray, whilst Jim Taylorson, Michael Vasey and John Facey added one each with Tayor and Facey adding the doubles. Billy Row Club are 19 points ahead of the Earl Derby A.

Crook Coach and Horses B lead the First Division by 13 points from Crook Olde Horse Shoe A, who are six ahead of Howden Australian.

The league was deeply saddened by the passing of Alan Bibby, a founder member of the league. Alan played from the start for Crook Crown and in the early years they won the championship many times. In recent years Alan played for Crook Mill House, where he concentrated more on dominoes than pool, but was always ready to pick up his cue when needed. The league officials and all the players send their condolences to brother, Ian and the rest of Alan's extended family.

Another stalwart of the league, Cliffy Owen receives the league's best wishes after his recent heart problems and hope that the coming treatment all goes perfectly.

Bishop Auckland League

Two of last season's high flyers are both hoping to improve on their near top finishes this time and made their second good win of the new season. Crook Travellers Rest travelled to Toft Hill Three Tuns and won by five points.

The home side had wins from Richard Hughes, Kenny Tait and Jonathan Miller, whilst the visitors replied with two points each from Steven Webb, Michael Burke and Steven Burke with Aaron Cowen adding one.

Michael Burke and Peter Mernor added the doubles before Steve Thompson shared the captains' points with Steven Webb.

Tow Law New Market, who finished last season in second place, entertained Bishop Auckland Cumberland Arms and only dropped three points when Karl Neilson, Ashley Appleton and Paul Barker won their singles.

The Market had two singles each from Shaun Umpelby, David Murray and David Crags with Andrew Burrows adding one. Murray and Umpelby added the doubles with Craggs taking both captains' points.

Bishop Auckland Football Club are the early leaders with a one point advantage over the Travellers Rest and Shildon Royal George, with Bishop Auckland Derby a further point adrift.

Results: Bishop Auckland Snooker Club 7 Bishop Auckland RAFA 6; Henknowle Manor 6 Bishop Auckland Derby 7; Shildon Royal George 9 Etherley Dog and Gun 4; Toft Hill Three Tuns 4 Crook Travellers Rest 9; Tow Law New Market 10 Bishop Auckland Cumberland Arms 3; Shildon New Masons 2 Bishop Auckland Football Club 11. Postponed: Willington Goldmine v Croft Social Club. No result: Willington Lion and Unicorn v Witton Park Rose and Crown

Tow Law Scottish Courage League

League leaders, Tow Law New Market B were stretched for the first time this season and finished with their unbeaten record intact but their home match against Newhouse Club went down to the deciding captains' game.

Newhouse held the advantage after the first half of the singles when they had wins from Steve Turner, Barry Traynor and Harry Dinsdale with Shaun Umpelby and Steven Maughan replying.

The second half of the singles saw the hosts level with wins from Tommy Sloan, Shaun Umpelby and Steven Maughan, whilst Graeme Thompson and Steve Turner replied. The two doubles were shared and in the deciding captains' game, the home side's David Murray beat Graeme Thompson.

Results: Esh Starr's Bar 6 Tow Law New Market A 7; Lanchester Black Bull 11 Tow Law Station 2; Tow Law New Market B 7 Newhouse Club 6. Postponed: Esh Football Club v Tow Law Football Club.

P W L Pt

Tow Law New Market B 14 14 0 134

Lanchester Black Bull 14 11 3 114

Newhouse Club 15 10 5 101

Tow Law New Market A 16 8 8 101

Ham. Row Black Horse B 13 10 3 99

Tow Law Football Club 14 7 7 94

Tow Law Station 15 4 11 79

Ham. Row Black Horse A 14 4 10 76

Esh Football Club 13 3 10 68

Esh Starr's Bar 14 0 14 57

Missing results: New Market B v Hamilton Row Black Horse A; Esh F.C. v Hamilton Row Black Horse B; Esh F.C. v Tow Law F.C.

Consett League

First Division leaders from the Derwentside only dropped two points to the visiting Horse and Groom but one of them was a triumph for ten years old Sophie Gittins.

The unbeaten Snooker Club C maintained their record in style against the Freemasons.

In the Second Division, Stateside C slipped down to fifth when they were well beaten by the visiting Cricketers. The Braes held on to top spot, six points ahead of the Barn, who have a match in hand. The Grove Club moved into third place 12 points behind the leaders, but with an extra match played.

Results: Division 1: Leadgate Coach 4 Snooker Club A 6; Demi A 4 Station A 6; Miners A 2 Meridian A 8; Snooker Club C 9 Freemasons B 1; Derwentside 8 Horse & Groom 2; Meridian B 3 Scotch Arms 7; Station Club B 3 Golden Lion 7. Postponed: Stateside B v Stateside A.

Division 2: Stateside C 3 Cricketers 7; Bellamys 4 Bowls Club 6; The Barn 3 Grove Club 7; Castleside Inn 4 Braes 6; Snooker Club B 7 Smelters 3; Freemasons A 1 Miners A 9; Consett Coach 7 Demi B 3; The Duke 4 Black Diamond 6.

Division One

P W L Pt

Derwentside 18 15 3 129

Snooker Club C 16 16 0 117

Meridian A 18 12 6 112

Stateside A 16 14 2 106

Golden Lion 18 13 5 103

Snooker Club A 15 10 5 99

Leadgate Coach 18 9 9 97

Scotch Arms 16 10 6 84

Meridian B 18 7 11 72

Station Club A 18 7 11 72

Station Club B 18 6 12 72

Horse & Groom 15 6 9 63

Miners A 16 3 13 54

Demi Club A 16 3 13 49

Stateside B 15 3 12 48

Freemasons B 17 0 17 43

Missing results: Two games between Snooker A v Snooker C, Horse & Groom v Miners A, Scotch Arms v Demi A and Stateside A v Stateside B, plus the matches Freemasons B v Station A and Stateside B v Horse & Groom.

Spennymoor League

The semi-finals of the Team Knock Out Cup produced two cracking matches with the away teams coming out triumphant in both and big shock when the league leaders were one of the beaten home teams.

Spennymoor Hillingdon B were the visitors at Tudhoe Cricket Club, where the singles were shared when John McIvor won two with Shaun Archer and David Miller adding one each for the home side, whilst Curtis Simpson, John Bulmer, Billy Geldart and Kevin Waterhouse levelled things up. John Taylor and Billy Geldart took the doubles to put the Hillingdon in sight of victory and the Hillingdon captain, John Bulmer completed it in style when he left Geoffrey Brown with seven balls.

In the other match, Spennymoor Voltigeur had two singles wins from Andy Mole and one each from Ian Fox, Barry Walton and Chris Hughes, whilst their hosts at Spennymoor Penny Gill had wins from Andrew Cairns (jnr), Stuart Ball and Andrew Cairns (snr). Simon Shields and Gerry Robinson then took the doubles for the home side but Chris Hughes beat Simon Shields to put the Voltigeur into the final.

Results: Spennymoor Penny Gill 4 Spennymoor Voltigeur 6; Tudhoe Cricket Club 4 Spennymoor Hillingdon B 6.

Auckland Area

Henknowle Manor A entertained Bishop Auckland Snooker Club in a key championship battle, but after the first two singles were shared it was the visitors who took control with Steve Balanaves, Michael Hoggart and Paul Armstrong winning two each, whilst Martin Taylor and Andrew Tennant added one each. Steven Webb won two for the home side, who reduced the defeat when Russell Place and Ron Wright won the doubles and Webb added the captains' game.

After a disappointing season so far, Bishop Auckland Derby entertained Bishop Auckland Bay Horse needing a big win to break into the top half of the league. Dave Brassell and Gary Dixon won two singles each, with Stuart Milne, Mark Wilkinson and landlord, Billy Eales adding one each. The Horse winners were Jonny Walker, Robin Spinks and landlady, Marron Bassett. The Derby won the doubles and captains to complete their victory.

Spennymoor Voltigeur lead the table by one point with a match in hand over Bishop Auckland Snooker Club, who are 13 points ahead of Henknowle Manor A.

Results: Henknowle Manor A 4 Bishop Auckland Snooker Club 8; Bishop Auckland Grand 6 Coundon Durham Ox 6; Henknowle Manor B 5 Spennymoor Voltigeur 7; Bishop Auckland Derby 9 Bishop Auckland Bay Horse 3.

Upper Weardale League

Stanhope Club entertained Stanhope Grey Bull hoping to reduce the gap at the top of the league. Paul McArdle, Ian Rolph, Colin Perry, Adam Robinson and Alan Barker won the first five for the Club before George Pooley opened the Grey Bull account. The Club won two of the three doubles games to complete a good win.

Ireshopeburn Weardale Inn travelled to Westgate Hare and Hounds and got off to a good start when Simon Donaldson and Johnny Fairless put them into the lead. Carl Graham clawed a point back for the Hare and Hounds but Simon Hodgson and Richard Hodgson increased the Weardale Inn lead. Alison Wilson won the final singles game for the Hare and Hounds but that proved to be their last point as the Weardale Inn took all three of the doubles games for a five points victory.

Results: Stanhope Club 7 Stanhope Grey Bull 2; Westgate Hare and Hounds 2 Ireshopeburn Weardale Inn 7; St Johns Chapel Golden Lion 2 Stanhope Queens Head 7. Postponed: Eastgate Cross Keys v Frosterley Inn; Rookhope Inn v Wolsingham Black Lion A; St Johns Chapel Blue Bell v Stanhope Pack Horse.

Thursday CIU League

Annfield Plain Demi won the battle of the top teams when they visited Stanley Central and came away with a two points win to move five clear at the top. Langley Park maintained their safe third place with a comfortable win over the visiting Medomsley Pretoria. The Grove and Moorside lost again to Sandhole, who could soon move above them.

*New Clubs are now being recruited to increase this league with darts and dominoes sections being added. If you play for a CIU Club and want to get involved in the new Thursday night CIU League then contact Ray Bottle on 07879266863.

Results: Stanley Central 4 Annfield Plain Demi 6; Langley Park Club 7 Pretoria Medomsley 3; Sandhole 6 Grove Club 4.