Thompsons enjoy some double delight against St Gabriel’s

Thompson Insurance and St Gabriel’s faced a double header this week in the Sunderland and District League Division One.

The St Gabriel’s A stalwarts visited Thompson A, but their challenge was swatted away by a very strong home line- up.

Andrew Wilkinson was pushed in one close end by Norman Pescod, but won 3- 0.

Dave Blackburne recovered from deficits in the first two ends against George Gibson.

Meanwhile, Peter Smallcombe showed grit and flair as he overcame Tom Bainbridge.

Although the match was a competitive affair, the Thompson team never looked like dropping any points.

Thompson B also enjoyed success as they recorded an 8- 2 win at St Gabriel’s B.

Joe Muldowney notched both the Gabriel’s sets, but only just out- pointed Shirley Gelder 11- 9.

Alan Atkinson’s two wins included a 13- 11 win over Jake Helm, and Gelder went on to win her other two games.

It was Maurice Cheek who remained unbeaten, as he survived a five- end battle with Muldowney.

Elsewhere, Springwell CC kept in touch with a 9- 1 win over West CA A, and Unionists B went down 7- 3 at home against Sacriston Aces.

The Unionists A team escaped from Redby CA A with a narrow 6- 4 triumph, thanks to maximums from Dave Cutler and Dave Bannon.

Division Two leaders Sacriston Bombers failed to win for the first time this season, as St John’s Neil and Mark Rodgers scored two apiece, but Bombers’ Max Duffin remained unbeaten.

With St John’s poised at 5- 4, it was left to Sacriston’s Ian McPherson to earn the draw against Jamie Dent.

Elsewhere, St Gabriel’s C won 7- 3 at Silksworth IM B, with two sets each from Steve and Geoff Young, and Mark Burton.

The St Gabriel’s D team also edged out a Silksworth IM team, despite a strong showing from Bob Sanderson ( 3) in the 6- 4 win.

Three wins from Neil Wilkinson and Tom Fowle inflicted most of the damage as East Boldon Methodists A beat struggling West CA C 8- 2.

In Division Three, Backspin B registered a 7- 3 home win over Sacriston Comets.

Adam Butler won two, however, Nikki Irwin ( 2) managed to edge Butler in an 11- 9 decider.

Backspin’s John Cook hit a maximum, while Lyndsey Beacham added one. Debbie Irwin beat Beacham to earn another point for Comets.

Sacriston Eagles won 6- 4 over St Gabriel’s E, thanks to Jack Pugh ( 2), Haydn Williamson ( 2) and Luke Durningham.

Gabriel’s Mike Hampshire lost 11- 8 to Pugh, but managed to win 11- 8 against Williamson as he added two wins to the double secured by Dave Aldridge.

Redby won 9- 1 at East Boldon Methodists C, while Brandon and Byshottles B and D teams battled out a 5- 5 draw.