Dave Robson was on form for Byker A in the Premier Division of the Northumbria League with a hat trick in the singles and success in the doubles partnered by Robert Reed when his side visited Springwell A. However with Springwell’s Graeme Barella, John Williamson and Alex Smith each taking two singles the home side ran out 6 – 4 winners. 
At the half way stage of the season Cramlington Casuals, the reigning champions, are top of the table. eight points ahead of Saint Chads and N.E.S.L.C. Eagles. However, with one point awarded for every set won in a match  they could easily be caught in the second half.
Robson has only been beaten once so far this season and that was by the North East Chinese Association’s Chun Yin Yu who also has only lost one set when he lost out to Springwell’s John Williamson earlier in the season.
At the other end of the table it is not looking good for Unionist Club of South Shields who were promoted from Division one last year but who have so far failed to register a victory in the top flight. Also in trouble are Cramlington Reivers, despite Duncan Wraight having won nearly one half of his sets, are also looking for their first win. When the two met it ended up all square.
All round performances by Barry Hill, Karen Henry, Micky Bull and Bob Atwell have taken North Fire to the top of Division One level with Riding Mill A for whom Mark O’Connor has been outstanding. He has only dropped one set and has been  well supported by Peter Stempczyk.
Although he has only played in five of Cramlington Tiger’s nine matches young Peter Smallcombe’s only defeat so far was at the hands of Hill and with Lee Eadington also doing really well and  a solid performance from Paul Jamieson the Tigers are unbeaten and only a single point behind the top two.

Aubrey Drapkin