Coundon Forresters completed their hat-trick of titles on Sunday, as they picked up their third League Championship in successive seasons with a 2-1 victory at Hurworth Albion, to make it 18 victories in 18 league games this season. However, the champions had to come from behind to maintain that record after James Edwards headed home a Simon Middlemiss cross to give the Albion a 1-0 lead. However, the second half saw Coundon lift their game, and top-scorer Lee Ellison capitalised on a loose ball to smash the ball home off the crossbar. Despite an onslaught from Coundon, Hurworth looked like they might hold on for a point though, but Ellison had other ideas as he sealed the championship with a goal in the final ten minutes to send the visiting supporters wild. Coundon's victory also gives them a chance of making a further piece of history, as they are now just two league games away from as being the first side to win every league game in a season - a feat that would perfectly illustrate their dominance over the course of this season.

Elsewhere in Division One, East End WMC remain in second place thanks to a 4-2 victory over a Brinkburn side that are still in need of another couple of victories to secure their first division status next season. Striker Stephen Johnson's hat-trick and a goal from Nigel Clarke sealed the points for the EastEnders, whilst Ste Appleby and Anth Thorns notched for a Brinkburn side that now only have four games left to overturn the three point gap that separates them from safety.

Meanwhile, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club did Brinkburn a favour as they beat struggling Bishop Auckland Cricket Club 10-2 as the Sports Club look to finish the season in style. Man-of-the-match Ray Stanger notched a hat-trick for the Sports Club, as did Andrew Turner, whilst Karl Black (2), David Fawcett and John Shotton completed the scoring. Michael Slater and Chris Stott notched for the Cricket Club, but they are still only three points clear of a Brinkburn side that have two games in hand in the relegation dog-fight.

The Northern Echo needed a victory to avoid relegation but were always facing an uphill battle as they were only able to field ten men against Spraire RA. Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Echo matched their opponents in an even first half, and were unlucky to find themselves 1-0 down at the break. Spraire made the extra man tell in the second half though, and they soon ran into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Darren Towers, Andrew Weatherall and Matthew Cole. The Echo kept scrapping though, and they managed to pull a goal back through Gary Pallas, but it wasn't to be enough as the 3-1 defeat confirms the Echo will be playing second division football next season.

In Division Two, two victories in the space of four days secured Killinghall Arms' place in Division One next year. On Thursday night the Killy ran out as 6-0 victors over struggling Green Dragon, whilst on Sunday a first half brace from Michael Layton set them on the road to an 8-0 victory over Copper Beech DCS. Phillip Reynolds second-half hat-trick, along with goals from David Roddy, Danny Fleary and Mike Robson sealed the points as the Killy move just six points behind league leaders All Stars with four games in hand.

Meanwhile, All Stars were in cup action on Sunday, but they warmed up for it in perfect style as they beat relegation threatened Grey Horse 10-0 on Thursday night. It was to be the start of a bad week for the Grey Horse, as Sunday saw them only pick up a point against bottom side Sadberge to further their relegation worries. Sadberge were coming off the back of a 4-1 defeat to struggling Canney Hill, but goals from Mike Smith, Gary Bowman and Stuart Hillary secured only Sadberge's fifth point in 17 games as they drew 3-3 with the Grey Horse. Dominic Rich, Philip Makepeace and Gary Preston notched for the Grey Horse, but they really needed all three points to try and claw their way out of a relegation spot.

In the remaining second division games, AFC Orange beat Royal British Legion on Thursday night to remain in third place whilst Bishop Auckland Derby stay in fourth following a hard-fought victory over Green Dragon on Sunday. However, The Derby made hard work of overcoming a ten-man Dragon side, despite Darren Dye's early double and Michael Latcham's goal that gave them a 3-0 half-time lead. Ford got a goal back for the Dragon at the start of the second half before Latcham completed his brace to put The Derby 4-1 ahead. Further goals from McKintosh and Ford got the Dragon back into it as The Derby started to tire, but the ten men just couldn't get the vital equaliser as The Derby eventually ran out 4-3 victors. Meanwhile, Canney Hill are still looking over their shoulder at the drop zone as they fell 2-1 to a Jack Horners side that are slowly making up ground on the top five.

In Division Three, most sides played two games this week as they try complete their fixtures before the May 31 deadline. Peppers Draughting Services continued their 100 per cent record as they picked up a midweek 12-0 victory over The Cricketers before defeating Drinkfield United 6-0 on Sunday. Meanwhile, Drinkfield had picked up all three points on Thursday night with a 2-0 victory over AXA Insurance as they continue their push to finish in one of the top five promotion spots.

Meanwhile, second placed Hope Inn beat bottom side Smith & Allan 5-0 on Thursday night before they comfortably defeated Fachion 10-0 on Sunday to secure their promotion to Division Two. Trenton Hewitt and Stu Hardy both notched hat-tricks for the Hope, whilst Nathan Kemp, Dave Hubble, Chris Liddle and man-of-the-match Graham Wedge also got on the score sheet.

Third placed FR Aviation also picked up all six points with a 1-0 midweek victory over Emcor followed by a huge 16-0 victory over bottom side Smith & Allan. The Aviators went into the game against Smith & Allan with injury worries, but they needn't have lost any sleep as they cruised into a 12-0 halftime lead. The Aviators 16 goals came from eight different scorers - Neil Metcalfe (2), Stephen Thompson (3), Paul Freary (5), Stephen Barker (2), Martin Hickmans, Craig Graham, Gian Cagliari and Ben Hickson - although their two most attacking players - Richard Bestford and James Emmerson - both saw more of the ball than any of their team mates but failed to find the back of the net.

Middleton St George Cricket Club warmed up for their crunch match for Pizza Perfekt with a 2-0 midweek win over Haughton BAT, and it proved just the tonic as they also picked up all three points against the Pizzaboyz. Mike Lyons opened the scoring against the Pizzaboyz with a well taken goal just before half time, but they were pegged back just after the break when Perfekt top-scorer Mike Weston struck an equaliser. However, the in-form Lyons notched his second goal of the game to secure the victory as MSG moved above Pizza Perfekt and into fourth place.

Elsewhere, Haughton BAT bounced back to winning ways following their mid-week defeat against MSG with a 3-1 victory over Aruba courtesy of goals from Karl Lockwood (2) and Andy McLeod, with Dave Holt striking the Aruba goal.

Meanwhile, Sherwoods bounced back from a midweek 3-1 defeat against The Falchion to beat Newton Cap 2-1 in a game between two of the struggling sides in the third division. Sherwoods had to come back from falling a goal behind in the first half though, as Andrew Marley took advantage of a defensive mix-up in the Sherwoods box to give the Cap a 1-0 half-time lead. Sherwoods came racing out of the traps in the second half though, and they were rewarded when Dave Armstrong headed them level from a corner kick. The Cap were desperate for victory though and pushed all out for the win, but were left shattered as Michael Colclough headed home a Jason Blenkinsopp cross just two minutes from the end to hand Sherwoods the victory.

In Sunday's remaining third division games, substitute Neil Parker struck to give The Cricketers a well-earned point in a 1-1 draw with AXA Insurance who had taken the lead after just 14 seconds through Dean Scott. Meanwhile, Emcor took all three points with a 3-1 victory over Royal Oak. Aiden Tate gave Emcor a first half lead following a mix-up in the Oak defence before both sides were reduced to ten men before the break. Darren Scott put Emcor 2-0 up soon after half-time before Simon York snuck in at the near post to clip home Mike Donnelly's free kick and make the score 2-1 with only minutes remaining. However, in a frantic final five minutes Neil Jollie missed a glorious opportunity to level the scores as he poked the ball wide with only the keeper to beat. To make matters worse for the Oak, Emcor then went straight up the other end and substitute Sunny Ghal struck a glorious shot in off the post from the edge of the area to secure a 3-1 victory.

In the only other game this week, All Stars progressed to the final of the Darlington Motor Factors Second Division Cup with a 1-0 victory over AFC Orange thanks to a Darren Kokes goal in an ill-tempered game.

* Team secretaries are reminded that the next league meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 23 at 7pm prompt at Darlington RA Club.

Secretaries are reminded to bring the usual meeting fee with them, and all player of the year nomination forms must also be in at the meeting at the latest.