DURHAM go into today's EGU Northern Counties clash with fifth-placed Cheshire at Wilmslow desperate to avoid picking up the dreaded wooden spoon for a third successive year.

The loss of US-based trio Barnard Castle's Robert Dinwiddie, Simon Robinson, and Ian Parnaby, who have all returned to their respective universities in the States, is a big blow to Durham's chances.

But whatever the outcome, James Harper believes his side have made huge strides this season under the watchful eye of captain Ted Kirtley.

The fantastic 10-8 success over title-holders Cumbria at Carlisle - a victory that ended a miserable two-and-a-half year winless streak - is the main source of Harper's optimism, but the Durham County Matchplay champion also points to the county's burgeoning youth set-up as another reason to be positive.

"I think we have a very good chance of beating Cheshire," he said.

"Losing people such as Dinwiddie is a blow but the rest of team are up for the challenge and I think we can pull it off.

"We lost a lot of people last year to the professional ranks, but I think the team has been stronger this year.

"The win over Cumbria was a massive step forward for us, not only because it ended a long run without victory. It gave the team a little boost; gave us some much-needed confidence, which we can use as a platform for next year.

"I think that has shown in the fact that we haven't been hammered this year like we have in the past. We've lost the rest of our matches, but apart from the defeat to Yorkshire they have all been tight games, which could easily have turned out in our favour.

"Team spirit has been good throughout but it helps when you know that the executives such as Ted Kirtley (captain) are behind you. No one has made any negative comments."

Eaglescliffe club champion Ryan Riley has been called up by Kirtley to make his Durham debut and Harper believes the teenager deserves his chance.

"I have played with him a couple of times and he is a very good player," he said.

"On his day he is just as good as anyone and with Ricky Lee also in the team it all bodes well for the future."

At the opposite end of the table it is winner-takes-all as Yorkshire face arch-rivals Lancashire at Pleasington today with the title at stake.

Former Durham County champion Richard Walker returns to a Lancashire side desperate to banish memories of last year's miserable 14-4 defeat at Ganton, while Michael Skelton takes time out from his Walker Cup preparations to boost Yorkshire's bid.

However, he is not joined by Middlesbrough stablemate Tom Robinson despite the 17-year-old's impressive performance during the White Rose county's victory over Derbyshire.

Meanwhile, Northumberland skipper Peter Davey has handed debuts to promising teenagers Phillip Waugh (Hexham) and Craig Wilkinson (Blyth), both 17, for the match with Cumbria at Tynemouth.

Durham: H Hamilton (Seaton Carew), D Hair (Wearside), M Ridley (Consett), D Vest (Wearside), G Marchbank (Durham City), M Curry (Brancepeth Castle), D Dance (Ramside), R Lee (Ryton), J Harper (Seaton Carew), R Riley (Eaglescliffe), D Leighton (Darlington), B Ross (Heworth).

Yorkshire: D Berry (West Bradford), M Skelton (Middlesbrough), G Clark (Doncaster), J Mason (Rotherham), S Uzell (Ganstead Park), S Brennan (Wheatley), F Kelley (Ganton), A Bradley (Doncaster), R Hollins (Sand Moor), R Jones (Wath), L Shepherd (Cleckheaton).

Northumberland: C McDonnell (Stocksfield), S Philipson (Prudhoe), G Cowan (Bellingham), T Twynholm (Morpeth), K Cademy-Taylor (Newcastle Utd), C Paisley (Stocksfield), S Lee (Newcastle Utd), P Waugh (Hexham), C Wilkinson (Blyth), P Fiddes (Morpeth), I Donaldson (Arcot Hall), A Minnikin (Gosforth).

* Barnard Castle pro Darren Pearce finally got his hands on the NE and NW Matchplay Championship at Slaley Hall after edging out three-time winner Brian Rumney on the final hole.

Playing superb golf, Pearce, beaten twice previously at the final stage, was two up with two holes to play, only for Rumney to birdie the 17th to take the match down the 18th.

But Pearce held his nerve to win the final hole and finish two up.

NE and NW Matchplay championship, Slaley Hall - Final: Pearce beat Rumney 2 up; semi-finals: B Rumney (Parklands) bt M Watkins (Parklands) 1 up; D Pearce (B Castle) bt S McKenna (City of Newcastle) at 22nd hole.

* Michael Skelton's Walker Cup preparations appear to be going to plan after the Marske teenager held his nerve to beat Tony McLure in a sudden-death play-off to win the Teesside Trophy.

Despite hitting a disappointing opening round of par 72, Skelton shot a superb second round 66 in blustery conditions to tie the lead with former Durham County player McClure (68,70) and force the championship to be decided on a first-hole play-off.

But while Skelton holed his four-foot putt for par after both had hit their second shots to the back of the green, McClure missed from just three feet to hand the title to the 19-year-old.

Third place went to James Harper of Seaton Carew, who had an aggregate score of 140.

* Kevin Fawcett battled against difficult conditions at Cleveland to win the prestigious Mayor's Cup, beating Adam Best 2&1 in a tense final.

Fawcett, who is the lowest handicapper ever to win the trophy, had earlier beaten Chris Brooks in the semi-final 3&1 despite giving away 12 strokes.

Best had earlier won the other semi coming from three down to finish one up on Andrew Robinson.

Meanwhile, a hole-in-one on the opening hole of the Cleveland Gents Open 4Ball Better Ball put Derek Nichols and partner Dave Blake on their way to the title.

It was the perfect start for the Cleveland pair, who finished with a final score of 48 points.