IT was no Sunday morning stroll by the seaside for Durham as they continued their build-up to the Northern Counties season with a narrow 8-9 defeat to the British Universities Sports Association.

Ted Kirtley's side fought back strongly in the afternoon singles at Seaton Carew after suffering a 5-1 loss in the foursomes, in which Wearside duo David Vest and Daniel Hair earned the only point.

New captain Kirtley will be hoping that his team recover in time for the start of the EGU season at Moortown against last season's champions Yorkshire.

There were some signs of encouragement for the Houghton-le-Spring member, who recently replaced Peter Durno as captain, as his side battled hard in the singles.

Consett's Mark Ridley started the ball rolling with a comfortable 6 and 5 win over Colin Roope of Surrey, a victory that was quickly followed by a narrow win for Eaglescliffe's Andrew Blythe against Ben Westgate.

Further wins for John Kennedy, Hughie Hamilton, Anthony Black, Peter Crosby and Wearside's Hair earned Durham a 7-4 victory in the singles, but the damage had already been done.

Durham v B.U.S.A results - Foursomes (Durham names first): M. Ridley & J. Kennedy lost to C. Roope & B. Westgate 2&1; D. Vest & D. Hair beat R. Hyson & J. Shield 1 up; A. Black & A Blythe lost to J. Rae & A. Lynch 4&2; H. Hamilton & J. Harper lost to N. Conley & S. Mitchell 1 up; D. Race & C. Walton lost to G. Duncan & J. Farmer 3&2; P. Crosby & D. Whales lost to C. Girvan & A. Shields 3&2. Foursomes results: 1-5.

Afternoon singles: M. Ridley beat C. Roope 6&5; A. Blythe beat Ben Westgate 1 up; D. Vest lost to J. Shields 1up; J. Kennedy beat G. Duncan 1up; H. Hamilton beat Neil Conley 3&2; J. Harper drew with S. Mitchell; A. Black beat C. Girvan 1up; P. Crosby beat R. Hynson 1up; D. Hair beat J. Rae 3&2; C. Walton lost to A. Lynch 4&3; D. Race lost to J. Farmer 3&2; D. Whales lost to A. Shields 2&1. Results: 7-4. Total: Durham lost 8-9.