THE Under-15 retained the Houghton Festival Trophy for a record-breaking third consecutive time, the first side to do so in the history of the festival.

In their league during the morning session they defeated Durham City 19-0 with tries by Ian Graham, Mathew Sowerby and Adam Parker who also added two conversions.

They defeated Percy Park 19-5, tries by Sowerby, Graham and Nick Ringrow and two conversions by Parker. Darlington completed their league with a third win against Broadstreet from Coventry 17-0 with tries by Daniel Salvidge, David Judge and Chris Dargue, Michael Stowe added a conversion.

The quarter-final was a hard, physical encounter with Workington but a hat-trick of tries by Sowerby and a score from Judge saw them through by 20-0. A second Cumbrian side provided the semi-final opposition for Darlington who won 27-0 with tries by Mathew Tait (2), Sowerby, Judge and Salvidge with a Parker conversion.

The final was a local affair in which Darlington defeated arch rivals West Hartlepool 19-0, two tries by Tait and one from Sowerby with two conversions by Stowe. An excellent squad performance enabled Darlington to finish the day with 121 points scored and five conceded.

Darlington hosted the Durham County RFU mini-cup competitions for Under tens and Under 12s. Over 300 players representing 17 teams from 12 clubs with coaches, parents and supporters attending.

Games were played on a knock-out basis with teams competing for cup, plate and fair play trophies at both age groups. Watched by representatives from the county and host club all teams gave a committed display of high quality, closely matched sporting rugby.

A number of games were very close decided by a single score, including both cup finals.

Darlington were winners of the Under ten cup beating Mowden Park in a close final with Guisborough and Middlesbrough sharing the plate after an exciting draw with both sides scoring four tries.

The fair play trophy went to Sunderland.

In the Under-12s group, Darlington were again victorious beating West Hartlepool in another tight game. Westoe were winners of the plate and the fair play trophy went to Horden.

This concluded a very successful season for Darlington minis who also won the Under-nines and Under-11s county cups.