TWO NEW senior champions, possibly three, will be crowned at the sixth and final meeting of the North Yorkshire and South Durham Harrier League at Windlestone Hall, near Bishop Auckland, tomorrow.

Former Great Britain junior international Steven Hepples, who has won his four previous races, looks sure to clinch his first senior championship. But the senior women's race could be tied.

Darlington Harrier Bernadette Taylor goes into the final race with 45 points, only one ahead of her main rival, Middlesbrough and Cleveland's Carolyn Summersgill. And if the Teessider repeats her two previous victories - at Richmond and Saltburn - over the former English schools cross country international they will finish level on points.

Taylor, winner of last year's Darlington 10K road race, was ahead of Summersgill in the opening two fixtures at Hartlepool and Acklam Grange and won the fourth race at Whitby.

If Summersgill does finish in front in their final confrontation over a two-lap 4,800m course NYSD secretary Graham Hall is in favour of the two athletes sharing the title.

He said: "This has never happened before in my time and if they finish level on points I really don't see any need to separate them. They could share the title."

In the team events Knavesmire's senior men have a two-point lead over Hartlepool Burn Road, while Middlesbrough and Cleveland's women's team are three points clear of the York club.

The programme for the meeting, which is being hosted by Newton Aycliffe AC, is: 1.00 Under-13 Boys (2,700m); 1.10 Under-13 Girls (2,700m); Under-15 Boys (2,700m); 1.30 Under-15 Girls (2,700m); 1.40 Under-17 Men (6,900m); 2.05 U17/U20/Senior/Veteran Women (4,800m); 2.25 U20/Senior/Veteran Men (9,000m).

* Gosforth Harriers stage their annual road relay championships at Gosforth Park today (1pm).

* Top North-East veteran Rob Hand (Durham City) won the KJ Tyres Lamplight five-mile road race, while Middlesbrough and Cleveland's Kerry Matthew was first woman.