The torrential rain last weekend totally disrupted the Over-40s Cup and League programme, only 11 matches being played, five cup and six league.

In the Kenny Ball Cup, premier side Norton & Stockton won 3-0 away to Division Three leaders Houghton Swifts. The first half was very even with end to end football and both sides missing chances, however after the restart the difference between Premier and Division III began to show as slowly but surely Norton began to gain the edge. Gerry Forrest broke the deadlock when he scored for the visitors with a fantastic 30 yards solo run. Shortly after Mark Steel netted to make if 2-0 and the issue was finally settled when Keith Aldridge hit a screamer which the keeper could not hold. Centre back Geoff Kirton had an outstanding game for Norton. Premier side Owton Manor were just too good for Division I side the Touchdown Hotel, they won 3-1 at home. The Manor opened in fine style playing attacking football. Donkin gave them an early lead and Linneghan quickly added another to put hem 2-0 in the lead. Close on half-time a shot from Taylor was deflected into the net by Mark Taylor and the Manor had a 3-0 lead. The restart saw the Touchdown come back into the game and McMillan scored to pull one back, but the Manor's defence was rock solid and it was always a fruitless, uphill struggle for The Touchdown. Admittedly they did well in the second half but the first half had given the game to Owton Manor.

Premier side Marden totally outclassed bottom of Division III side Dagmar FC, winning 10-0 away from home. Marden took the lead after 15 seconds when Geoff Mayne scored. This early set-back completely unsettled the Dagmar and although they never gave up trying, they had no answer to Marden's attacks. Hartlepool Catholic Club turned in a workmanship performance to win 2-0 away to Roker Queen Vic. Mark Ritchie gave them a 1-0 interval lead and Barry Waller scored 15 minutes from time to settle the issue 2-0. Houghton Mill Inn won 5-2 in extra time against Darsley Park. They scored first through Mark Schell but the Park levelled just on half time and then went 2-1 in the lead shortly after the restart Mark Schell scored again 15 minutes from the end to force extra time, which saw The Mill take over, Dave Foster, Paul Grey and John Purdhem all scored to make it 5-2.

In Division I, Sedgefield drew 3-3 at home to Sunderland Catholic Club. Steve Hope gave the visitors an early lead but Malcolm Chaytor levelled. Norman Vincent restored the visitors lead shortly after the restart only for Kevin Stephenson to score the equaliser. Ten minutes from time Trevor Bennett put the Catholic Club once again back into the lead only for Chris Chapman to level in injury time.

In Division IV, Thornley Celtic won 6-0 at home to the Halfway House and are now joint top with Peterlee F.C. but are in second place on goal difference, being +23 to Peterelee's +39.

* On Sunday, January 25 a representative Over-40s team play the Frigate HMS Northumberland in a friendly match on Hendon Grange Ground, Sunderland. Kick off 11am.

Tomorrow's fixtures: Premier Division: Blackhall Hardwick v Owton Manor S.C. Hartlepool; Holywell Fat Ox v Steels Social Club, Killingworth Arms v Marden, Norton-Stockton v Ferryhill Greyhound; Usworth W.M.C. v Darlington Croft.

Division One: Barnard Castle Glaxo v Moor House; Hartlepool Catholic Club v Hartlepool Touchdown Hotel; Newton Aycliffe v Sunderland Catholic Club; Sedgefield United v Wallsend Rising Sun; Wardley Green v Wearmouth C.W.

Division Two: Barnes Hotel v Whitley Bay; Gateshead Greencroft v Willowland; Hylton Castle WMC v Marsden Inn.

Division Three: Boldon Black Bull v West Cornforth; Dagmar F.C. v Durham Cornforth; Dagmar FC v Durham C. Strollers; British Telecom v Crook Town.

Division Four: DSS Darsley Park v Wynyard Old Boys; Thornley Celtic v Sportsmans Arms; Winstons v Horden Comrades, Regency Windows v Houghton Cricket Club.

Kenny Ball Cup Third Round: Grindon Broadway v Consett, Duke of Wellington; Penshaw Catholic Club v Silksworth Lord Seaham.

Ironside Cup Second Round: Darlington Railway v Wynyard Veterans; Langley Park Rams Head v Red House WMC; North Shields Spring Gardens v Billingham Town; Wingate v Hebburn DT.

Echo Cup Second Round: Houghton Swifts v Houghton Mill Inn; Taylors v Hedworthfield Deneside; Toll Bar v Hartlepool R.N.C.

Billy Lorraine Cup Second Round: Grindon Veterans v Pennywell Comrades; Halfway House v Hartlepool Warrior; Peterlee F.C. v Roker Queen Vic; Trimdon Veterans v South Shields Marsden Veterans.