CITY Church Sunderland are three points away from the championship after disposing of Ryton Churches 4-1 and relegating them at the same time.

Noel Harrison and Ryan Pender gave City Church a 2-0 half-time lead with Harrison completing his hat-trick in the second-half. Andrew Lynn scored Ryton's last goal in the First Division.

Whitley Bay Churches used their last league game of the season to guarantee First Division football next season. Russell Brookes and Kenny Corbett put Whitley Bay 2-0 at the break against Athenians Christians FC. Ian Tew gave Athenians hope in pulling a goal back. Brookes got his second for Whitley Bay who won 3-1.

The Airport Church and Jesmond Parish Church ended goalless.

Consett Methodist Church's hopes of winning the championship were all but dashed, held 3-3 by Bethshan Christian Centre after taking a 2-0 lead through Andrew Murray and Andrew Staley. Bethshan came back with goals from Mark Langdown. Murray got his second to put Consett into a 3-2 lead before Philip Dodd scored an own goal.

Heaton Hearts may have survived staying in the First Division with a 4-1 home win over Stranton Saints. Heaton's goals came from Andy Brammell (2), Joe Costigan and David Holloway with Jamie Arthur scoring Stranton's goal.

Monkwearmouth Christian FC are Second Division champions and took the crown in emphatic style by beating Wearside Community Church B 9-1 with goals from Andrew Bolt, Chris Bolt, Steve Dix, Ben Hodgeson, Neil McCarten, Mark Sheldon and a Barry Ward hat-trick. Ivan Crowther scoring his goal at 9-0 for Wearside B.

Stakeford Methodist Church have moved into second place on goal difference with a 5-3 win over Lanchester Chapel.

Kieron McLaughlin scored a hat-trick, Chris Scott and Matthew Hayton netted one each while Keith James, Andrew Sword and Nigel Hepplewhite were on Lanchester's score sheet.

Wearside Community Church who have either been in first or second place all season now find themselves out of a promotion spot following a devastating result at Westgate Road Baptist Church. Steve Valentine put Westgate ahead but Rick Goodwin equalised with Tony Davison scoring the winner for Westgate in a 2-1 win.

A pair of goals each for Gary Harkness and Geoff Emerson gave Heworth Christian Fellowship a 6-3 win over Jesmond Parish Church B. David Fitters and Phil Rooney scored Heworth's other goals. Andrew Huntley (2) and Sam Cunningham scored for Jesmond.

Goals by Rob Robinson, Ronnie Smith and Andrew Mather scored for Bethany Christian Centre in a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough Baptists for whom John Iley scored a pair.

Yarm Emmanuel wrapped up their home matches with a fine display, beating Saint Peter's Low Fell 5-0. Marc Dale scored a hat-trick with strikes from David McQuillian and Ben Laing.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts GD

City Church Sunderland 16 11 2 3 49 22 35 27

Consett Methodist Church 17 11 1 5 54 32 34 22

Airport Church Newcastle 17 9 4 4 33 32 31 1

Bethshan Christian Centre 17 7 6 4 37 26 27 11

Jesmond Parish Church 18 8 3 7 38 28 27 10

Stranton Saints H'pool 17 8 2 7 37 34 26 3

Whitley Bay Churches 18 5 4 9 26 40 19 -14

Heaton Hearts 17 5 2 10 27 35 17 -8

Athenians Christian 18 5 2 11 31 52 17 -21

Ryton Churches 16 2 4 10 20 51 10 -31

Division Two

Monkwearmouth Christ. 20 15 3 2 83 38 48 45

Stakeford Methodist Ch. 19 11 4 4 72 38 37 34

Wearside Comm. Ch. A 19 12 1 6 63 30 37 33

Heworth Christian F'ship 21 10 4 7 74 61 34 13

Westgate Road Baptist Ch. 22 10 3 9 59 63 33 -4

Yarm Emmanuel 20 8 6 6 67 59 30 8

Saint Peters Low Fell 22 8 3 11 42 54 27 -12

Middlesbrough Baptists 20 7 4 9 44 51 25 -7

Bethany Christian Centre 20 6 6 8 34 49 24 -15

Jesmond Parish Ch. B 18 6 2 10 33 45 20 -12

Lanchester Chapel 20 5 4 11 44 65 19 -21

Wearside Comm. Ch. B 22 3 2 17 31 91 11 -60

Ashley Air Products

Over-40s League

Cleveland Bridge defeated Houghton Cricket Club 3-1 to win the Echo Cup. The first-half was fairly even but it was Houghton who took the lead. Despite all Cleveland's efforts the lead was held until five minutes from time when Paul Maitland slammed home a cross from John Dee to equalise.

A minute later Maitland scored again to put Cleveland 2-1 in the lead and finally Maitland laid on a perfect pass for James Lease to hit home and settle the issue in sensational style.

In Division One, Ferryhill Greyhound are still spot-on for promotion.

They won 3-0 against Darsley Park and are now in fourth position with games in hand over the teams above them. They were always in command and led 1-0 at the interval through Taylor. After the restart David Pearson scored and Nigel Fardon scored with a spot-kick.

Midfielder David Topp was outstanding.

Newton Aycliffe lost 2-1 away to third-placed Gateshead Heworth Green and now find themselves in the relegation zone. They must win their two remaining games in order to escape the dreaded drop.

Langley Park Rams Head collected three valuable points when they won 4-3 at second-placed Board Inn and now looked assured of promotion from Division Two. They opened the scoring and quickly went two up in the first quarter. Brian Place pulled one back for Board Inn. Ram's Head restored their two-goal advantage before the break. On the restart Board Inn. Both sides went all out for the winner but it was the Rams who notched the vital goal three minutes from time.

Consett Cricket Club continue to keep on course for promotion from Division Four. They won 5-1 at the Half Way House and are in third place with games in hand of those above them.

The other promotion candidates, Wynyard Veterans and Hebburn DT, drew 1-1 to keep their hopes alive. Wynyard led 1-0 through Ken Moody until four minutes from time when Hebburn grabbed a goal and a vital point in a very close-fought game.

Darlington Railway lost 6-0 at Livingstones who at long last have got together a very capable side and have blended well while Railway struggled to put their game together. Passes went astray and shots went wide - nothing went right. Scorers were Colin Turnbull scored a brace, Rueben Gibson got a hat-trick and Keith Engleby scored one