NO sooner had Barnard Castle's Robert Dinwiddie helped consign Durham's miserable losing run to the rubbish bin he was switching his sights on ending another.

Part of a US-based trio that returned last week to guide Durham to their first win in the EGU Northern Counties championship for almost three years, Dinwiddie, 21, believes last year's wooden-spoonists are capable of winning their first 'Big Six' Championship today at Sandiway since 1989.

Confidence is high in the Durham camp following their shock 10-8 win over reigning champions Cumbria last Saturday at Carlisle - their first competitive victory since they defeated Northumberland 11-6 back in September 2000. And buoyed by the return of fellow American-based players Ian Parnaby and Simon Robinson, Dinwiddie is confident Durham are capable of causing a shock in Cheshire.

"We just beat the reigning league champions (Cumbria) so I don't see why not," said Dinwiddie, who started his first county match since last August badly by losing his opening foursomes round with partner Parnaby but recovered to win his singles match by one hole.

"When I first started playing for Durham we were actually challenging for the title so it was weird going through that long run.

"But it is over now and I think after Saturday's win there is a lot more belief among the players; certainly a lot more than if we had lost our last game."

Yorkshire, who include England Elite Squad member Michael Skelton (Brass Castle) in their starting line-up, are favourites to win the title. However, they will be without Skelton's clubmate Jonathan Lupton, who is currently riding high at the top of the EGU/ Ping Order of Merit. Dinwiddie, Parnaby and Robinson, who are all thriving on the highly-competitive collegiate system in the States, are joined by Durham City's Graham Marchbank, David Vest of Wearside and Ricky Lee of Ryton, who recently dominated the northern leg of the Nick Faldo Junior Series.

And just as the victorious Durham side had a 15-year-old Richard Walker to thank for helping guide them to glory 14 years ago, Dinwiddie believes this side have a potential match-winner in exciting 17-year-old Lee.

"It is certainly the strongest team we could have put out," he said.

"I have never played with him (Lee) but from what I have heard he certainly deserves his place in the team and obviously won his match on Saturday."

Durham team for the EGU Northern Counties Championship, Sandiway GC: R Dinwiddie (B Castle), G Marchbank (Durham City), S Robinson (Seaton Carew), I Parnaby (Durham City), R Lee (Ryton), D Vest (Wearside) .

* Mike Bradley, playing in only his second competitive game of the year, won the Northern Rock North-East Masters in a dramatic finish at Matfen Hall.

The 35-year-old Derbyshire-born professional, whose tournament schedule is restricted by his coaching commitments at his club Keighley, practised with a closing card of 67 for a 14-under par three round total and victory by a shot over Jon Cheetham.

Teesside and District Union of Golf Clubs - Inter Club League, June 4: Division One: Castle Eden 12 Bishop Auckland 12; Eaglescliffe 18 Seaton Carew 6. Division Two: Middlesbrough 16 Billingham 8; Hunley Hall 20 Richmond 4. Division Three: M'bro Municipal 16 Catterick 8; Blackwell Grange 19 Dinsdale Spa 5; Wilton 10 Wynyard 14.