Pre-competition favourites Pepper Draughting Services lived up to their billing when they came out on top against a well-organised and hard working FRA Mowden in the final of the second division cup on Sunday.

Held at Darlington RA's Brinkburn Road ground, PDS took control of the game in the first 45 minutes with an excellent team performance in which Michael Carter finished off a well-worked move in great style.

Brothers Graham and Carl Pepper were in total control of the midfield area and it looked as though Mowden were in for a difficult 90 minutes.

When Graham Pepper found the back of the net twice and Adam Hughes made it 4-0 at half time it was a well-deserved lead and the second half looked ominous for underdogs Mowden.

However, Mowden came out after the break much more determined and played with more authority and took the game to the opposition. The impressive Richard Bestford pulled a goal back and they then showed more of the form that has seen them promoted to the first division for next season.

Man of the match Carl Pepper then increased the lead to 5-1 with an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net before Mowden came back once again and the excellent Paul Freary, although having a quiet game, fired home a superb shot across David Raine in the PDS goal.

Mowdens' work rate never dropped below 100 per cent but it was the superior class of PDS that was to prove the deciding factor in a 5-2 win.

When the PDS skipper lifted the trophy it saw them complete what they hope will be the first leg of a league and cup double - the league title decider being on Sunday against Cleveland Bridge who are the only other team in a position to win the Second Division.

FRA Mowden: Gareth Percival, Gareth Lear, Ben Hickson, Paul Dickinson, Neil Metcalfe, Paul Freary, Paul Carroll, Martin Hickmans, Stephen Thompson, Richard Bestford, Garry Varty, Matthew Dunn, Stephen Barker, Toby Wright

Pepper Draughting Services: David Raine, Paul Lowe, Martin Webster, Jamie Bowman, Jason Whale, John Jeffery, Carl Pepper, Graham Pepper, Michael Carter, Adam Hughes, Lee Hammond, Mark Finn, Scott Davison, Mark Brooks.