Darlington's talented youngsters were given a major boost when the members of the Darlington League voted to adopt the new 11-up scoring system.

The juniors travel virtually every weekend, playing in tournaments where the 11-up system will be used and the Darlington League have rejected an option to remain with the 21-up system.

Darlington coach Keith Wilson said: "To be honest we thought they might have gone the other way.

"However, it was refreshing to hear so many people thinking about what is best for the future of the sport.

"I feel sorry for the young players in such leagues as Middlesbrough where they will find it difficult to combine both systems.

At last weekend's Durham County Junior Trials, held at Greencroft School in Annfield Plain, four more Darlington players claimed places in the County Squad. Chris Close, 12, snatched the final place in the Under-14 team in a play off with Greencroft's Sam Rafferty. Jonathan de Wind, 14, is in the Under-17 squad for the first time but Samantha McCormick, 12, and Rachel Greener, 11 both secured places in both Under-14 and Under-17 teams.

The surprise player was Sunderland's Chris Dixon who improved his county ranking from 12 to four, joining clubmate Kevin Wilson in the squad.

Darlington provide all bar one of the rest of the squad with all having three or more years left in the junior ranks. Mark Simpson, 11, David Meads, 12, Andrew Leighton, Philip Robinson, Claire Wilson and Joanne Meads, all 14, complete a strong Under-17 squad who open up against Conwy and Northumberland next month.

Greencroft School's Ryan Rafferty became their first junior last season, and Jessica Panting,12, became their second when she snatched an Under-14 place just ahead of Darlington's Sarah Robinson.