East Rainton swept the board at the presentation of awards held by the Roseberry Group North East Durham League in the Country Club, Chilton Moor.

Not only did they win the championship for the fourth successive year, but they also carried off all four domestic cup competitions.

They created a new record for the league by going 22 matches undefeated and they were also unbeaten in 16 cup ties.

During the 2003 season they won 17 and drew five of their 22 league games and were also successful in the Henry Bainbridge Cup, Vinton Trophy, Glen Pattison Trophy and the Roseberry Group Cup.

Belmont won the second division championship and return to the top flight after being relegated in 2000. They were successful in 14 of their 22 games, drawing five times and losing on five occasions.

Newton Aycliffe carried off the division three championship and other cup winners were:

Norman Martin Cup: Burnhope

Amos Lowing Cup: Hunwick

Robert Dunnett Cup: East Rainton

Johnson-Coates Trophy: Plawsworth

Norman Brown Trophy: Plawsworth

Individual awards were made as follows:

Division One - best batting average - Ashley Proud (East Rainton) 109.25; this was a new record beating the 101.69 recorded by Norman Smith in 1995; highest score - Nicholas Thompson (Washington) 124 not out; best bowling av - Roy Richardson (East Rainton) 9.50; best bowling performance - seven to 17 - Roy Richardson (East Rainton); best wicket keeper - Derek Aylesbury (East Rainton) 27 dismissals.

It is the third successive year that he has won the award and the ninth time since 1991. In total he has taken 445 dismissals and he also won the Fred Napier Award for the best overall wicket keeper in all divisions.

Best fielder - Mark Nelson and Andrew Woollett 14 catches each.

Individual awards division two: best batting av - Ian Steel (Belmont) 71.88; highest score - Ian Steel 120 not out; best bowling av - Tony Pratt (Kelloe) 6.62. It is the best av since R Hull (Monkseaton) had 6.60 in 1987. Best bowling performance - Martin Robinson (Belmont) seven for 22; best wicket keeper - Paul Doolan (Belmont) 24 dismissals; best fielder - Neil Parker (Bearpark) 17 catches. This is the highest number recorded in division two in 21 years.

Individual awards division three: best batting av - Kevin Walker (Hunwick) 60.37; highest score - John Burke (Burnhope) 150; best bowling av - Peter Welsh (Belmont) 7.26. This is the best performance since 1991. Best bowling performance - David Alderson (Hunwick) seven for 13; best wicket keeper - Kevin Walker (Hunwick) 16 dismissals; best fielder - David Wake (Belmont) nine catches.

The evening was presided over by chairman Brian Barrass and principal guest was Malcolm Pratt, president of Durham County Cricket Club.

League caps were awarded to M Nelson, C Davies, C Bede (Littletown), J Petrie (Coundon), G Humphries (East Rainton), M Johnson, J Morrison, F Grey (Burnhope), G Williams, S Bell, J Gledhill, C Palmer and J Williams, the league captain (Newton Aycliffe).

A special award was made to Bob Estell for his long service to the league and the player of the year was Newton Aycliffe's Stuart Mitchie.