The race for the championship looks to be going right to the wire with both Tindale WMC and Stillington The Royal picking up maximum points, it could be decided next week when the two sides meet at Stillington with Tindale only requiring a point.

In their games Tindale overcame Darlington Archdeacon by seven goals to one. Paul Wymer opened for Tindale with Ian Thompson equalising for Archdeacon. As the game progressed the fitness of Tindale told with Wymer hitting another three, Chris Allen and Craig Burbeck rounded off their scoring.

Darlington Stadia got off to a great start against The Royal with Gavin Harris scoring after ten minutes. By the interval goals from Peter Kitching and Wayne Muldowney had the visitors ahead. Play was fairly even until the 70th minute when Paul Cleary added number three for Royal, this was closely followed by a fourth by Lee O'Connell to tie the game up, all in all a very good competitive game.

After a very lean spell Hurworth Emerson Arms got back among the points when they shared ten goals with Shildon Elm Road WMC. The game itself was of two halves with Emerson taking the first to lead by four goals to one and they made it 5-1 three minutes into the second half. This appeared to jolt the visitors into life as they fought back to level the scores. Neil Bell hit a brace with one apiece for Michael Armston, Chris Liddle and Dave Walker for Emerson Arms, both Thomas Louden and Carl Dawson grabbed a couple with Ian Maddison scoring the odd one.

Darlington Skerne Park's revival has come a little late but could stand them in good stead for next season. Kicking off with nine men for the first ten minutes, they had to contain Chilton Community College pressure, once up to full strength they came right back into the game and led 2-1 at half time. In the second half they increased it to 4-1 but with 15 minutes remaining College pulled one back then put the Skerne boys under pressure again but failed to break through leaving a jubilant Skerne Park 4-2 victors.

There were midweek wins for both The Royal and Tindale WMC

* Any club wishing to apply to join the league for the forthcoming season are request to contact GS Simpson, 159 Minors Crescent, Darlington, DL3 0DJ or phone (01325) 484678.

* The final of the Archbold Trophy between Darlington The Mowden and Tindale WMC will be played at the RA Ground, Brinkburn Road, Darlington on Tuesday, May 18 (6.30pm).

Longhorn Hardware Darlington and District League

Heighington 3 East End WMC 1

With East End struggling to field a side this was another welcome two points for Heighington in their final game of the season. Man of the match Nigel Gamblin grabbed a brace and John Armitage notched his first of the season for the winners. Neil Topping replied.

Newton Aycliffe 4 Greyhound 0

The fourth meeting of the clubs within four weeks was a low key affair played in a decent spirit with none of the histrionics of previous encounters. Greyhound were not at their strongest but nevertheless held out until half-time. However, second-half goals from man of the match David Baldwin and Kevin Wilkinson secured the runners-up spot for the Aycliffe team.

East End WMC 0 Newton Aycliffe 9

A typical end of season encounter with one side struggling to field a side while the other had a full complement of players eager to do well. The goals came at regular intervals with Kevin Wilkinson leading the way with five, one apiece from David Baldwin and sub Wilson Wills and two own goals.

* The league challenge up final between Darlington Grey Horse and Ferryhill Greyound is on Saturday, May 15 at Darlington RA, kick off 2.30pm, admission free.

The league's AGM is also at Darlington RA club on Wednesday, June 9 at 7.15pm. All clubs should be represented as should any new clubs wishing to join the league for the 2004-2005 season.