Byker A retained their unbeaten record in the Premier Division of the Northumbria League when they entertained Cramlington Stingers despite being without Keith Patterson.  However they did look to be in trouble when they were losing 4 – 3 but took the last three to edge home 6 – 4 and move into second place in the table. Dave Robson won all three of his singles and combined with Phil Prady to take the doubles. Prady and Christine Burke got one each while Bonne Habekost won two for the Stingers with Iain Wood and Gareth Pearson both getting one. Pearson was playing instead of the injured David Graham and did well to beat Prady.

North East Chinese Association decided to play their two Durham University students, Clara Chau and David Tang for the first time this season against the league leaders Cramlington Casuals. They both defeated Barry Richardson and Steve Penman and Matthew Stephens got the better of Penman but with Andrew Wilkinson winning all of his sets for the visitors it appeared to be a draw. However it was discovered that Tang had not been properly registered with the league and had to forfeit his sets making it 7 – 3 to the Casuals.

North Fire B suffered a a set back to their promotion hopes in Division One when they were held to a draw by Riding Mill B for whom Andrew Firth won all of his sets. He was backed up by Maurice Cheek and Shirley Gelder who got one each,  Karen Henry and Barry Hill both getting two for Fire as well as the doubles.

There seems to be no stopping Springwell B in division two after their team of Dave Pringle, Charlie Mouzon and Caron Guthrie they ran out 9 – 1 victors against second placed YMCA North Tyneside B.

The Matfen Club are firmly in place at the top of division three with their B team in pole position and their C team second after a hat-trick from Keith Hodges gave the B team a 7 –3 success away to Cramlington Corinthians. 

 

Aubrey Drapkin