TEENAGE sensation Michael Skelton has insisted that loyalty to his hometown club Hunley Hall was the reason why he opted not to represent Middlesbrough Brass Castle in the recent English Champions' Club Championship.

Skelton, 18, inspired the Teesside club to victory in the Yorkshire Team Championship for the first time in their history - his score of 140 was the best individual performance in the championship - after just moving from Hunley Hall.

Yet after qualifying for the prestigious team championship for the first time ever, Middlesbrough - who finished a respectable joint tenth at the Northamptonshire event on September 7 - were unable to field Yorkshire Boys captain Skelton as his handicap was still registered with his former club.

"Brass Castle knew before I joined what the situation was so it wasn't a problem," said Skelton, who is an England Under 18 international.

"It's difficult, I have grown up here and I wasn't about to change just for the sake of one tournament."

He added: "I don't know when I'll change it, maybe next year or even the year after, but I didn't want to do it straight away."

Yet despite Skelton's absence, confidence at the Teesside club was still high going into the tournament following the return of their No 1 player Jonathan Lupton from England international duty. Lupton, 23, a member of England's Elite squad, however, did not get off to the best of starts.

Struggling with the greens all day, Lupton carded a disappointing first round of 78, but recovered on the second day following overnight rain to hit a much-improved 70.

Veteran Peter Ward also struggled on the first day, hitting a 79, but like Lupton found the softer greens on the second day to his liking and rounded of with a much-improved 73.

Yet any hopes Middlesbrough had of making a late bid for the title - eventually won by Surrey-based club Woodcote Park - were dramatically ended on the 12th where 16-year-old Tom Robinson took a nine after losing a ball and ended with a second round of 79.

Robinson, so impressive during the Yorkshire Team Championship, had earlier justified his selection over 19-year-old Tom Henderson after doing better than both his more illustrious teammates on the first day, carding a 74 in difficult conditions.

Meanwhile, Durham representatives and Teesside rivals Billingham finished a disappointing joint 25th despite a good performance by Paul Oakley, who hit rounds of 76 and 72.

* Middlesbrough's Jonathan Lupton is taking a second crack at winning his European Tour card after entering the PGA qualifying school for a second consecutive year. Lupton, who made final qualifying last year only to narrowly miss out in the latter stages, applied for reinstatement to the amateur ranks in February to remain part of the England Elite squad.

But now the Yarm golfer is hoping that he can make the grade this year and fulfill his dream of playing on the European Tour.

* Seaton Carew have won the Durham County Clark Cup for only the third time in the club's history. The Seasiders, who last won the prestigious trophy 42 years ago, defeated Durham City in the final 3-2 at Chester-le-Street. However, it was a close-run thing with Rob Clark closing out Richard Mason in the final stages of the last match to clinch victory.

* Oakleaf enjoyed home comforts as they picked up the Durham County Teams Handicap Championship on their own course. The Newton Aycliffe side scored a total of 209, edging out second-placed Crook Town by a 11 shots.