The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League, First Division: The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League first division championship has gone to East End WMC.

It went down to the final game of the season between the Eastenders and Newton Aycliffe Sports Club and it was the clubmen who came out winners by the odd goal in seven.

When the Sports Club visited the Croft ground the visitors had goals from Paul Stout, Paul Baird and the prolific John Shotton, to show for their efforts. But it was not enough as Wayne Carrick, Neil Jackson, Graham Dodsworth and yet another goal for man of the match Steve Johnson sealed the victory and the league title for East End.

Division Three, Sunday, May 2

St. Augustines, impressive all season, saved their best till last with an accomplished passing game resulting in an emphatic 7-0 victory against Drinkfield United. So comfortable was the margin of victory that it allowed some St. Augustines players time to indulge in some showboating with an outrageous flick from Andrew Cairns - going over his head and taking out two defenders - the highlight. Having already scored five goals man of the match Cairns had earned the right to show off his full array of skills.

The other two goals came from Ian Gray and a first of the season for Leigh Taylor-Wright, although promoted, it was not enough to see the home side as champions in their first season.

That honour went to Newton Cap who sealed the title after inflicting a 6-1 defeat to the Falchion. The in-form Cappers, came out of the blocks quickly and deservedly went into an early two-goal lead when Keith Hurst netted the first with a curling shot which left Trevor Hardy in the home sides goal stranded. The prolific Matthew Gowland grabbed the second beating two defenders and slotting the ball home. Dean Bates then pulled a goal back for the home side, his long-range effort was too hot for Cap keeper Tyrone Moore to handle. Nerves seemed to be getting to the Cappers, when the failed to convert a spot kick and the score stayed at 2-1 at the break. The second half started well for the visitors, when Gowland hit three goals the title was secure. Paul Stewart also found the Falchion net but the final goal of the game was an unstoppable 30 yard strike from Andrew Cleary to cap a great season and a well deserved championship for Newton Cap.

Royal Oak finally ended their winless streak as they beat Fighting Cocks 3-2. The Oak took the lead in the opening ten minutes as Neil Jollie cooly slotted the ball home following a good through ball from Adam Noble. However the visitors got back on level terms as Brookbanks' effort deceived Oak keeper Preston Slade as the ball bounced over the prostrate custodian. The Oak kept the pressure on though and Steve Donnelly put the home side back into the lead within a minute. Donnelly's persistence paid off as he went past three defenders before sliding the ball past the keeper. The second 45 minutes saw Fighting Cocks get back on level terms Brookbanks struck his second of the game. However, that was to be a rare foray forward for the visitors as the Oak put their foot on the gas and rained in shots on the visitors' goal. They eventually converted one of these attempts as Noble struck the winner against his old side on a rare appearance for the Oak player.

Smith and Allan played hosts to The Cricketers and both teams had chances in the first half to open the scoring but a combination of poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping kept the scores level at the break. The second period was a different story, around the hour mark Adam Gilroy went on a mazy run beating several Cricketers defenders before slotting the ball into the net. When Jamie Irving added a second there was only going to be one winner, Wayne Turner and Ryan Wiggins got their names on the scoresheet before Iriving grabbed his second of the game and Smith and Allans' fifth. Although the Cricketers battled for the full 90 minutes they were unable to find a consolation goal, the game ending with a 5-0 victory to the home side.

Axa Insurance visited MN All Stars with the game remaining goalles until the 65th minute when full back Dave Lunn found Steve Howden with a defence splitting pass and top scorer Howden made no mistake to give the All Stars the lead. Howden then added his second of the game, with 15 minutes remaining, Mike Lee completed the scoring, when he found the net to round of an excellent personal display, leaving the final score 3-0 to the home side.

Other games on the day saw Goodfellas triumph over Haughton with a 3-0 victory and AFC Aruba come away with all three points on their visit to Sherwoods winning 3-2.

Thursday, April 29

Royal Oak played hosts to Sherwoods and the game ended in a 5-5 draw. Five scorers for the Oak: Simon York, Scott Timmins, Neil Pinkney, Steve Donnelly and Joe Miller all found the back of the net while a double from Danny Wilson and a hat-trick for man of the match Gareth Hodgson were on target for the visitors.

When Fighting Cocks visited Haughton it was a typical end of season game with both teams seeming to do away with defending and going for goals. Haughton started very slowly and against the run of play took a two-goal lead through Karl Lockwood and Wayne Spooner, before the Fighting Cocks came back with two goals of their own. The home side came back again and Paul Cooper burst through into the visitors' penalty area to fire home for a 3-2 lead just into the second half. Man of the match Cooper was then awarded a penalty which he converted to make it four for Haughton. Fighting Cocks refused to give up and came back with a third to set up a tense finish. Haughton hung on to their lead and gained promotion to division two, the visitors goals in a 4-3 defeat came from Daniel Flavell, James Rignall and Wayne Raby.

Newton Cap kept up their impressive season long form with an convincing 9-1 demolition of Drinkfield United.