MATFEN Tribunes enjoyed a winning start to the year as they edged out Cramlington Swifts 6-4 in Division Two of the Northumbria League.

They had man of the match Keith Hodges starring, winning all three of his singles games to help his side to victory.

Teammates John Henderson and Nigel Tree also played pivotal roles, the former winning two and the latter one.

Newton A battled hard for a 5-5 draw as they had just two players available for their game at Mitford B in Division One.

John Russell won all three of his singles and then teamed up with Graeme Bell to take the crucial doubles match-up, Bell also winning one game to contribute further to the final outcome.

Riding Mill A ended up on the losing end of a 6-4 scoreline as they headed to Cramlington Tigers in the Premier Division (Peter Stempczyk 2, Mark O’Connor 1, Stempczyk and O’Connor 1).