SUNDERLAND Harriers launched their centenary year celebrations by retaining the DP Furniture Express North-East Harrier League senior men's title after a nail-biting last-ditch tussle with arch-rivals Morpeth.

The Wearsiders went into the fourth and final fixture one point behind the Northumbrians - but victory at Pruhoe put them level and their three victories earned them the title on count-back.

But it was a very close call. Morpeth had five of their six counters in before the defending champions, who had to thank former team captain Tim Field - making his first appearance of the season after injury - for his 23rd placing which ensure a 89-105 points victory.

It was Sunderland's 18th success in the championship since 1980 and delighted secretary Les Arnott, said: "It's a perfect way to launch our centenary celebrations.

"The trophy is safely back in the cabinet and everyone's delighted that our last-ditch effort was successful.

"But it was a very close-run thing and I can only thank the club members who made it possible."

Sunderland won the opening fixture on home ground at Farringdon, when newly-promoted Morpeth were second, but then found themselves trailing by two points after a disastrous fourth placing in the next meeting at Chester-le-Street. And the cancellation of fixtures at Chester-le-Street and Meadowfield meant a grand-stand finish on a testing course at Prudhoe.

Morpeth Harrier Terry Wall made sure of retaining the men's individual championship by finishing second to Chester-le-Street's Stewy Bell, who made up three minutes of his handicap to finish runner up at Prudhoe, just over two minutes behind slow-pack runner Tony Wallett, of North Shields Polytechnic, taking full advantage of his five minute start.

The women's individual champion was Jarrow and Hebburn's Angela Hunter, who beat Wallsend's Lisa Walker.

The team champions were North Shields Polytechnic, who finished six points clear of runners-up Sunderland.