Division One: Belmont Panthers v M'brough Mav.

A close tie in Durham provided a good competitive game of basketball between the Belmont Panthers and Middlesbrough Mavericks A game eventually taken by the Teeside team only after a valiant Belmont stand.

An un-impressive free throw performance by the Panthers in the first 'rubber' showed the way for the Mavericks and O'Donohue to indent a harsh ten point lead on the home team. A quality second half performance from Ian Hewitt brought Belmont back into the fray by the end of the first half, trailing 32-35.

It was Ian Viveash who provided the push in the third for the Mavs as Richard Huntley pulled his Panthers up to scratch. Little could be done as Middlesbrough dominance stretched the small lead further into the distance. The final ten minutes saw Belmont have to make up a 17point deficit and this proved to be a bridge too far as the Mavericks slipped out of Durham with the 75-58 win.

Top scorers: Belmont: Stephen Graham 16, Ian Hewitt 13.

Mavericks: Liam O'Donohue 28, Ian Viveash 18, Lee Woolams 11.

Trimdon Comm. College Assoc. v HQ Hartlepool Hornets A

Both teams fielded weakened squads but it was the Division 1 newcomers Trimdon who arguably suffered most. The home team struggled all game to get their offence going while Hornets found little resistance at the other end. Martin Longstaff tried his utmost to kick-start the Trimdon offence with some powerful early moves inside. All the starting 5 of Hornets managed to get of the mark in the first quarter that they ended 23-13 up. In the second quarter it was Longstaff again, assisted by Harrison who shouldered most of Trimdon scoring. However the visitors offence stepped up a gear with the 'Thompson Twins' finding their range from outside. Half time score TCCA 31, Hornets 41. The result was all but decided in the third quarter, mainly due to Luke Thompson's ability to score at will. The home team continued to struggle to score with only Harrison really finding success in the quarter. The fourth quarter was a practice session for the visitors as Trimdon felt the pace. Final score TCCA 63 Hornets 96.

Top scorers: TCCA: Martin Longstaff 24, Ian Harrison 23.

Hornets: Luke Thompson 38, Leon Thomson 26, Dan Dixon 10.

Steve Whitehead Middlesbrough Mavericks v HQ Hartlepool Hornets A

Another win for the good starting Mavericks against a Hornets team made up of a number of 'B' squad players.

The away teams deputisers were by no means outclassed as the Hornets proved worthy opponents against a big and very deep Middlesbrough team. A close first quarter in which Paul Connery stood out was let down by a scrappy second quarter when the Mavericks took a commendable 43-34 lead. Anthony Robinson kept the Hornets in touch with important baskets and Dan Bailey made kept the Hornets in with a shout in the second half. Liam O' Donohue and Ian Viveash stepped up in the third to stretch the Mavs' lead once more. Just as Leon Thompson started to warm up from beyond the arc, Luke Thompson began to push the envelope but time began to run out and a late surge by the Hornets was just a little too late for them to be able to come back.

Viveash put the finishing touches to an 87-82 Maverick victory.

Top scorers: Middlesbrough Mavericks Ian Viveash 23, Paul Connery 21, Liam O'Donohue 19.

Hartlepool Hornets: Leon Thompson 21, Dan Bailey 18, Luke Thompson 16, Anthony Robinson 10.

Division Two

HQ H'pool Hornets B v Belmont Pumas

After Belmont's convincing win the last time out in Consett, thing were not to be so cut and dry this time in Hartlepool. A tight game and a neck and neck finish saw the Panthers just able to squeeze past the Teeside team in the final moments. The game was a back and forth affair, with neither team being able to establish a dominant lead that would allow them some comfort and breathing room. Both team attacking tendencies showed through for a good competitive tussle but Belmont were able to keep a slight lead right through to the end and was able to come out the other end victorious 76-63.

Top scorers: Hornets: Leon Thompson 18, Luke Thompson 18, Graeme Errington 10, Anthony Robinson 10.

Belmont: Ian Hewitt 18, Steven Graham 14, Craig Stamp 14.

East Durham & Houghall Comm. Coll. v Old Houghtonians

In what turned out to be an incredibly close game, East Durham were able to jump out to an early 9-0 lead, Colin Dockerell leading the early charge.

Philip Smailes helped Houghton back into the game by the end of the first half however with a 8-0 run of their own and the rest of the game proved equally tight and tense. Andrew Bains popped up with crucial points in the second period although excellent three-point shooting from Houghton meant the first half closed with College having the slight 30-36 advantage, although they could not hold onto a 21-12 advantage. The second 'twenty' was a disappointing, low scoring affair as both teams traded baskets in the third. Houghton made a late surge in the fourth taking the lead for the first time as missed shots and free throws allowed Houghton into the game. Burleson and Smailes scored well as College were unable able to hold on to their slender lead, Paul France putting back a missed Burdis three-point buzzer beater to give Houghton the win the 56-54.

Top scorers: East Durham: Colin Dockerell 19, Andrew Bains 13.

Old Houghtonians: Philip Smailes 28, Anthony Burdis 12, Ian Burlinson 12.

Other results: Division Three: Belmont Cougars 78 East Durham & Houghall Comm. Coll. C 65.

Ladies Division: East Durham Ladies 39 Nunthorpe Bruins 71; East Durham Academy 108 Biddick School Community BC 22.