Premier Division, Sports Bar 3 Blackhall CC 3: A see-saw encounter in which Blackhall lost the lead three times against their never-say-die opponents.

Hall took the lead after just two minutes thanks to a Scott Burns penalty.

The equaliser came on the half-hour mark when Mick Ross unleashed a Hugh Robertson-style thunderbolt from 20 yards to level the scores.

Back came the Cricketers, who took a fortunate lead when a long throw in from Micky Robins bounced off home keeper Peter Gale and into the onion bag.

The second equaliser came 20 minutes into the second half, when Andy Barry went on a mazy run before slotting the ball through Chris Rookes' legs.

Blackhall went ahead for a third time when Scott Burns converted his second penalty of the game.

With time running out, Sports Bar were awarded a spot kick of their own after young Shaun Ross was crudely upended.

Keeper Gale coolly slotted past his counterpart Rookes and the hosts could have even won it in injury time, but Gav Cooper got twitchy and missed a chance which was easier to score.

Best for Sports Bar were Gale and Chris Tierney while for Blackhall, Paul Moss showed what a real talent he is.

The result means that Blackhall, who have now finished their programme, will either finish third or fourth in the Premier League, their best ever finish.

Rovers Quoit Club 7 West Park 0

Reigning champions and favourites to retain their title this time around, Rovers, went goal-crazy against habitual whipping boys West Park.

Stephen Ashton put Rovers in front in the first minute and from then on, it was all one way traffic as the Rovers machine threatened to run riot.

Keith Hutchinson doubled the lead from the spot after Michael Ford had been fouled and it was Hutchinson who went on to complete a first-half hat-trick with two more strikes.

Rovers made it five on the half-hour when Hutchinson's free-kick was headed home by Ford.

Ashton got his second and to put his side an incredible six goals up before Ray Clementson blew the half-time whistle.

To their credit, West Park never gave up, with Stephen Gofton always probing from the middle of the park, but it was Hutchinson who rounded off a man-of-the-match performance when he scored his fourth and Rovers seventh in the second half.

If Rovers win their last two games they will be crowned champions once more.

Supporters 0 Athletic Rugby 3

Athletic kept up their challenge for a top four finish with a powerful performance against Supporters.

After a goalless first half, when both sides missed gilt-edged chances, it was Athletic who struck first in the second period thanks to Alan Hoey, the fox in the box, to rifle the ball past Chris Birkbeck in the home goal.

Mark O'Connor doubled the advantage when his shot was deflected in after good work from John Sutheran.

The deciding goal came from the wily Paul Fraser, who was set up by ex-Hartlepool starlet Stephen Manson.

Best for Athletic were Andy Hill, 16-year-old Mickey Harrison and the tireless running from 'yugger' Hoey, while standouts for Supporters were Stuart Cooper and Andrew Gill.

Division One

Hartlepool CC 2 Nursery 6

A proverbial game of two halves as Nursery turned round a two goal half-time deficit to run riot against the Cricketers with six goals in the second period.

After finding themselves two down at the break, Nursery came out of the dressing rooms a different side and soon chalked their first through sub Tony Foster.

Mark Peterson got the equaliser direct from a corner and after that goal, there was only going to be one winner.

Foster grabbed his second, before Karl Fraser, Ian Judson and Steven Doyle completed the rout.

Best for Cricketers were Dan Shurmer and the veteran Ashley Day.

Rugby 0 Odessa 2

Odessa's last game of a successful campaign was a winning one thanks to some great play from the inspirational Paul Martin. After a goalless first half, it was Craig Bell who opened the scoring when he slotted the ball past Mick Gardener in the home goal. After chances at both ends, that man Martin was finally rewarded for his tireless play when he doubled Odessa's advantage, after a slip by Gardner.

Rugby must be grateful they only have one game left this season after losing their last four outings.

Division Two

St Joseph's 3 St Francis 4

In the battle of the Saints, it was the visitors who snatched the points which led them to promotion with thanks to the odd goal in seven, or should that be Heaven?

Simon Hoey put St Francis ahead before Joe's came back with a Paul Adams screamer minutes later.

Hoey was in inspired form and he chalked two more to give him a first-half hat-trick and put the away side in control.

After the interval, Joe's came back with fire and brimstone and first Jamie Morrow, then Mickey Wanley turned the game on its head to make the score 3-3.

Just as the game looked to be heading for a draw, St Francis drew inspiration from Andrew Bassett, who had previously looked out of sorts, and he gave them victory.

Best for the home side was Mark Calvert, while for the visitors, Michael Gough stood head and shoulders above the rest of the players, both physically and technically.

King John's Tav. 2 Workingmen's C. 1

A battling win for the Tavern, who edged out Workies despite playing most of the game with ten men.

The prolific Ian Varley gave the home side the lead in the first half, before the red card was flashed to Dave Fletcher.

The visitors took advantage of the extra man when they equalised through John Wilson just before the interval.

Despite being up against it for long periods in the second half, Alan Cox broke Workies' hearts with the sort of thunderbolt that Peter Lorimer would have been proud of.

Daniel Fawcett stood out for Workies, while every player for the Tavern deserves equal credit.

Charter Bar 1 Stranton Athletic 3

A game which had little meaning for two sides in the lower reaches of the division was won by Stranton.

After a goalless first period, Anthony Twedlle gave the hosts the lead with a neat strike, before Andy Carter levelled with his 48th goal of an amazing season. Brent Atkinson put Stranton ahead with a 20-yard Beckham-esque free kick, before Lee Arnold rounded off the scoring. Best for Stranton was Phil Moore, while for Charter Bar, Mark Loynes stood out.

John Dowson Cup Semi-Finals

Blackhall Breath. 2 Seaton Holy Trin. 2

(Seaton won on pens)

Cup giant killers Seaton knocked out Blackhall with a battling win at Welfare Park to reach the final of the John Dowson Cup, where they will meet the mighty Lion Hillcarter.

Hall went in front when the impressive Martin Brown showed a rare turn of foot to strike home his 13th of the campaign as the Premier Division side stamped their authority over Second Division Seaton.

The Seasiders hadn't read the script, however, and they hit back strongly after the interval when Ian McDonough levelled with a well-taken goal.

That was the end of the scoring during normal time and it was the Collierymen who went in front in the first period of extra time thanks to McBurney.

Just as Hall were starting to get the champagne out of the cooler, up popped John Dobing five minutes from time to send the game into the dreaded penalty shoot out.

Seaton's nerve held better than Hall and they were indebted to three saves from man-of-the-match Graham Swinburne to keep the Hall sharpshooters at bay and send Seaton into the cup final.

Best for Blackhall were Andy Cowell, David Mole and Brown.

Lion Hillcarter 3 Burn Valley 0

Cup kings Lion roared into another final with an easy win over a battling Burn Valley unit.

Lee Dixon opened the scoring for the hosts with a superb dipping volley in the first period, as Burn Valley found themselves pinned on the back foot for long periods.

After the break, ex-Hartlepool United trainee Craig Lines cleverly lobbed Stephen Jewson in the Valley goal to double Lion's advantage.

Lines doubled his tally and scored the home side's third, following an excellent through ball from Robbie Wright.

Despite several golden opportunities for Lion, that was the end of the scoring against a side that never stopped competing.

Best for Lion were Lines, Stu Dixon and Craig Stephens, while for the visitors, Robbie Corner, Anthony Broome and Andrew Watts never gave up.