The  leading teams in the Northumbria Summer league all won their with  Cramlington Casuals beating YMCA N.Tyneside 7 –3 , Andrew Wilkinson unbeaten although he was pushed all the way by Andy Dryden when he had to come from behind to win 11 – 8 in the deciding set. Chris Blake, Jimmy Scope and Barry Cuthbertson gave Saint Chads a 10 – 0 win at Riding Mill and David Graham was unbeaten when the Stingers beat Springwell 8 – 2.

Mortimer won their first match  in Division One when Dave Bannon, Ray Purves and Dick Karcewski got two each in a 6 – 4 success over Ouston  but all three lost out to Chris Walton.  North Fire greatly improved their chances of promotion when their team of Bob Appleby, Karen Henry and Barry Hill came away from Springwell B with a 10 – 0 win.

The crucial match in Division Three saw Matfen B prove to be too strong for Cramlington Corinthians. Alex Holliday was unbeaten with Dave Swan and John Henderson getting a couple each to  as they ran out 7 – 3 victors to go three points clear at the top of the table.  Sacriston Bombers took advantage of the Corinthians defeat to draw level on points with them in second place and have a game in hand after a hat-trick by Simon Hackett helped them to beat Lanchester 8 – 2. Dan Hutchinson and Dan Nicholson both won twice and combined to get the doubles.

Ouston B team of Jeff McKenna, Jamie Milroy and Shirley Robson consolidated their top spot in Division Four with a a 10 – 0 victory over a very young Cramlington Magpies side. Two sets each and veterans Mick Sursham and Aubrey Drapkin saw the Jaguars defeat Sacriston Chargers 7 – 3.  by young Elliott Dorrington 

 

Aubrey Drapkin