Springwell became the first team to halt Cramlington Casuals winning ways  in the Premier Division of the Northumbria League when two sets from both John  Williamson and Colin Hunt together with one from Dave Pringle gave them an  unexpected draw. Andrew Wilkinson was unbeaten for the Casuals with Steve Penman  getting one and the two of them also taking the doubles. NESLC Eagles were  pushed all the way by the North East Chinese Association but a hat-trick by Jim  Stamas helped them to a 6 – 4 win.

The Chinese second team included Chun Yin Yu in their team to visit  Mortimer and he duly obliged with three singles victories and helped Chen Xuan  Ji to success in the doubles as they ran out 7 – 3 victors. Another player to  get a hat-trick in this division was Rod Roberts as Seaburn Dene defeated North  Fire B 6 – 4.

Cramlington sides were involved in two close matches in division two with  the Trojans going down 6 – 4 when they visited YMCA N.Tyneside B despite Paul  Fairlamb and Paul Jamieson getting two each. John Carr and Don Catley did  likewise for the home side with John Fisher chipping in with one and Carr and  Jim Robertson taking the doubles.  The Swifts had Peter Wilkinson in form  and his unbeaten performance helped them to share the points with Old England  FATTS for whom Barry Matthews had two victories.

The derby match in division three between Matfen C and Whitley Chapel was  closely fought but with Keith Hodges winning all of his games the Matfen side  got home 6 – 4. Ouston B had Tom Fowle to thank as his three wins saw them  overcome Cramlington Spartans 6 – 4.

Fourth division Brandon and Byshottles kept up their promotion drive by  defeating Newton c 8 – 2, youngsters Simon Knopf and Max Duffin both  undefeated.

Aubrey  Drapkin