Spraire RA found the perfect response to their midweek cup defeat by Coundon Forresters, by defeating The Northern Echo to become the early pace-setters.

A Richie Hindle hat-trick set Spraire on the way, and Graham Dodsworth rounded the Echo keeper to make the score 4-0, before the Echo managed to get a goal back through a John Graham spot-kick. However, substitute Chris Falconer came on to re-ignite the Spraire side, and he scored two late goals to cap an excellent team performance, as Spraire won 6-1.

It was East End that were to notch the biggest victory in the first division, however, as they swept aside first division newcomers Hoppers Transport 7-1. Scott Raper top-scored for the East Enders with a hat-trick, whilst Neil Jackson bagged two, and Neil Godfrey and Stuart Alderson also found the target. Hoppers had Ian Thompson to thank for their consolation, but this result certainly brought them back down to earth after their exploits last week.

Elsewhere, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club took all three points in an excellent encounter with The Speedwell. Man of the match Lee Bonas inspired the Sports Club by hitting a brace, whilst Craig Barrigan also scored. Speedwell found the back of the net through Shaun Collings and Stuart Cottam, but it wasn't enough as the Sports Club held on to win 3-2.

In the remaining Division One games, last seasons champions Coundon Forresters kicked off their league campaign with a 6-3 victory over last season's Division Two top dogs Nestfield Club, while Team Scania beat the Green Dragon by the same scoreline.

In Division Two, Bishop Auckland CC maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a 4-0 victory over a Copper Beech DCS side that has lost both of their league games since being relegated to Division Two.

In contrast, Jack Horners have won both of their league games since suffering the same fate, with their latest victory a 13-0 away win over a Smith & Allan side that have conceded almost 30 league goals in two league games, and also lost 16-1 against Allstars on Thursday in the Division Two cup. Allstars, meanwhile, maintained their rich vein of goal-scoring form as they demolished a woeful Northern Spirit side 8-0 on Sunday in an impressive display of passing and midfield running coupled with some excellent defending.

Hurworth Albion continued their good start to the season as they beat Bishop Auckland Derby 4-1. Richard Hill, Saul Charlton, Wayne King and Chris Liddle were all on target for Albion, while the tireless and impressive Darrren Dye notched a deserved consolation. In the remaining second division fixture, Sadberge beat the Greyhound. The game started very evenly, and, up until 20 minutes into the second half, the score was tied at 3-3. However, a combination of Sadberge's pressure and some tired Greyhound legs led to Sadberge running away with a comprehensive 7-3 victory. Man of the match Matthew Hildon bagged a brace for Sadberge, as did Mark Grant (both penalties), with Darren Wilson, James Cuthbert and Mike Hilary completing the scoring for Sadberge. Ian Gibson (2) and Richie Hoskinson notched Greyhound's goals.

AFC Orange continue to impress in Division Three, following

their 5-4 victory over Pizza Perfekt in the midweek cup game, with a 3-0 victory over the same side in the league.

An under-strength Perfekt side were let down by some of their players going AWOL, but Orange certainly didn't disappoint, as Andrew Waclawek, Steven Charlton and Kevin Kokes all found the target. Elsewhere, Faverdale beat Nestfield Seconds 5-2, and Yates' Wine Lodge picked up their first three points of the season with an impressive 2-0 victory over Canney Hill - a team many people have tipped for promotion this season. Yates' scorers were Andy Salisbury and Chris Chadwick.

AXA Insurance also picked up a good victory on Sunday, as they beat Hogans 5-1. Hogans began the game brightly, but it was AXA that took the lead in the opening ten minutes, when John Edgar latched on to a free kick to rifle the ball into the top-corner. The lead was then doubled in the 35th minute as Graham Jamieson notched an easy tap-in after the Hogans keeper had parried Alan Percival's initial shot.

Chris Piper notched just before the break, however, to give Hogans hope, and his 35 yard effort will be one that he's sure to remind his teammates of for some time to come.

However, five minutes after the interval Andy Haslam restored the two-goal lead for AXA and knocked the stuffing out of Hogans, as a goal apiece from Alan Percival and John Wilde made the game safe. In the remaining third division games, Royal British Legion beat Newton Cap 9-3, and Biglins News beat The Falchion 6-2 in the battle of last year's bottom two sides.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

The Royal from Stillington have started with two 4-0 victories and on Saturday they overcame DGSOB in a hard fought encounter which included a well taken hat-trick by Shaun Campbell and a strike from Steve Gibbon. Other unbeaten team are the Newton Aycliffe Navy Club who following a 5-3 victory over Wheatsheaf Wanderers in midweek had a superb 4-2 win over one of the leagues strongest teams Hurworth Otter & Fish.

At half-time this game looked all over as Navy Club had raced into a 4-0 lead with goals from Lee Robinson(2), Andy Ryder and Wayne Pratt. However in the second half the Otter woke up and pushed their opponents all the way to the final whistle, Otter's goals coming from Neil Bell and Chris Liddle.

Another team to hit top form were The Mowden who were 6-1 winners against a very game RA Youth. After a very poor first 15 minutes in which they found themselves 3-0 down the RA youngsters dug in and performed much better but came up against a team playing some excellent attacking football. The scorers for the Mowden were R Dodsworth (2), A Spencer (2), A Mellis and D Warne with the RA's consolation coming from Arron Foster.

Another cracking game was contested between SCA and Elm Road WMC the highlight of which was a 40 yard free-kick by Chris Jordan of SCA whose other scorer was Andy McIntire. Elm Road's goals came from Lee Towers and Carl Dowson in a game which ended all square at 2-2.

Another game full of entertainment was played between Shildon Three Tuns and Darlington Central Borough (who along with Elm Road are new to the league this season). This game ended all square at 3-3 and all involved thought the result was fair. Tuns scorers were Wayne Claydon, Steven Hall and Thomas Laudon with Chris Barr (2) and Carl Dowson replying for Central.

There were two other games played in the league and the results were Greyhound 4, Aycliffe Saints 6 and Wheatsheaf Wanderers 4, Tap & Spile 1.

Hathaway Auckland and District League

For the second week running DSRM won 7-0, this time against an under-strength Roddymoor, with goals from Tommy Kelly (3), Tony Downing (2), Gavin Luke and Paul French.

Black and Decker were another team to score seven times when they beat Coxhoe Athletic. They led 2-0 at half-time, with goals from Kevin Shoulder and David Upton. In the second half, Coxhoe Athletic pulled a goal back through Neil Morgan, but further goals from Kevin Shoulder, Derek Cooper, Paul Franey, Kevin Thompson and Michael Lee, gave Black and Decker a 7-1 win.

League newcomers Cleveland Bridge gained their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw with Shildon Railway. Cleveland Bridge led 1-0 at half-time, through an own goal, with Jonathan Coates equailising for the Railwaymen in the second half.

The Quinns Inn v Brandon Station game also ended 1-1, Andrew Hepple scoring for Quinns Inn and Paul Webster equalising for Brandon.

Crook & District League

Byers Green led Stanhope Town 2-1 at half time but lost their keeper with a back injury and Stanhope ended 9-4 winners. Rob O Dell notched a hat trick and the other Stanhope goals came from Darren Fletcher (2), William Noble (2), Chris Tinkler and Chris Ellison. John Wheatley (2), Shaun Nicholson and Kevin Davis replied.

The other league game between Wearhead and Bishop Rugby Club end 0-0. Bishop had most of the game and Wearhead keeper Chris Oliver was man of the match once again.

West Auckland Earl of Warwick went 2-0 up at Howden Australian in the Colin Waites Trophy and led 3-1 at half time. Australian came back to 3-2 but West added a late fourth goal. Peter Sedgewick, Andrew Sugden and Anthony Bayles scored for Earl of Warwick and David Wilkinson and Craig Robinson for Australian.

Tow Law gained a very good 3-2 win against Crook Wanderers in the other tie. Wanderers were twice behind but came back to 2-2 at half time through Wayne Coverdale and Mark Nichol. Brian Graham (2) and Ian Dunn own goal scored for the winners.