It was a hectic week in the Premier division this week with four games being played; three of which were close encounters and one a total whitewash.

The league leaders NECA, spearheaded by top player Chun Yin Yu, hosted a St Chads team which fielded neither Josh or Keith Weatherby, leading to a 10-0 win in which only a single set was won by the away team when Jimmy Scope took an end off third player Adam Webster.

Richard Wilson deserves a shout-out as he managed to beat one of the league’s best players Graeme Barella as NESLC Eagles scraped a 6-4 victory at home to Mount A. As well as beating Barella, Wilson took Player of the Match as he beat both Phil Prady and Anthony Ainley to complete his hat-trick. Barella beat Stamas and Baines, despite being 2-1 and having match point against him, but teammates Prady and Ainley could only grab one win between them as Ainley beat Stamas. Paul Baines also won two as he defeated Prady and Ainley, and this was enough to take the win despite Stamas and Wilson losing the doubles to Ainley and Barella.

Youngster Callum McRae, with his retrieving/control style of play helped Cramlington Stingers to a one of only four wins this season as they beat Prudhoe and District United Services Club A by 6 games to 4. McRae picked up his hat-trick by beating experienced Premier pimples player John Williamson plus Maurice Cheek and Shirley Gelder. Iain Wood beat Cheek and Gelder, Rob Reed also chipping in with a victory over Gelder.

In the last match of the week, Mount B put up a strong performance at home to Cramlington Tigers, clawing themselves somewhat clear of the relegation battle in the process. Jamie Dent won Player of the Match by beating the Tigers’ Rob Reed, Gareth Pearson and James Bradbury. Rod Roberts  did well to beat Pearson and Reed, and Dave Cutler chipped in with a win against Gareth Pearson.

With only 1 win this season, the Tigers find themselves just 5 points clear of bottom place – but unfortunately for them, Newton A have two games in hand. Unless their performances improve in the second half of the season it looks like the drop will be unavoidable.