NEW sponsors, new trophies, new officials - and hopefully a bright new future. That's the prospect for the Darlington league as its first new-look season ended in this week's prizegiving.

When, at the end of the previous season, the then sponsor dropped out and main officials retired, Peter Everett, new owner of Darlington Snooker Club, took over as sponsor, and Kevin Robinson as secretary and Carl Mafham as treasurer. "I think the league may have folded if we hadn't taken over," said Mafham.

The league, as with local leagues nationally, also lost teams, and competed this season with only nine. But that is to be addressed. Teams from the Darlington and South West Durham area are welcome, and Mafham hopes several may have joined when their season re-starts in September. Anyone interested can telephone the club on (01325) 241388 and ask to speak to Everett, Robinson or Mafham.

The league also hopes to run individual and team knock-out events and possibly a pyramid from next season. Handsome new trophies replace the old ones, although the first new league winners trophy went to the holders Hopetown. Their captain, M Allenby, received it from Jeff Todhunter, snooker correspondent of The Northern Echo. Allenby and his team of S Gourley, A Lacey, T Allinson, P Mellor and K Bailey also received individual trophies. The runners-up trophy went to Darlington Snooker Club A team of captain A Appleby, C Johnson, P Harker, F Hodgson, M Johnson and L Nicholson.

The nine teams who competed were Darlington Snooker Club (two), Harrowgate Hill WMC (two), Northgate WMC, Hopetown WMC, Darlington Cricket Club, Darlington RA and the JUC.