The promotion places from division two of the Northumbria Summer league were only settled by the very last match to be played with North Fire and North East Chinese Association both having to play Matfen who were also involved. The Fire led 3 – 1 and 4 – 2 when they visited Matfen but were pegged back to 4 – 4, went ahead again at 5 –4 but eventually had to settle for a draw.  Micky Bull was unbeaten and Karen Henry got two and the result put them on 91 points and guaranteed that they would be in one of the top two places. Phil Rainford got two for Matfen.

Matfen then visited the Chinese knowing that they had to win at least 7 – 3 to go up. The home side, however, with Chen Ji and Yi Zhou both unbeaten and Ken Lee taking one set were too strong for them and they ran out 7 – 3 winners to put them level on points with North Fire.  As they had won one and drawn one when they played the Fire they finished as champions.

In the same division Birtley, although finishing in the bottom two, ended on a high note by defeating Ouston 6 – 4 with Mike Bradley in top form, winning all of his sets.

Elsewhere Saint Chads  beat a depleted Seaburn Dene 6 - 4 in Division One with Jimmy Scope beating both of their players, Rod Roberts and Dick Wilson, while Dave   Bissett defeated Roberts.

Whitley Chapel won a closely fought division three match against Matfen B. Steve Oxley was the man of the match with three victories in the singles and success in the doubles partnered by Stefan Sobell while Keith Hodges got two for the losers.

 

Aubrey Drapkin