The first of the season's night matches Cleveland Bridge maintained their title challenge with a 4-1 victory against Speedy Hire. Lee Cloke (2), Duane Beagle and Ross Ainslie scored for Bridge, Aron Radstock replied.

Cleveland Bridge, who have informed the management committee that they will be resigning from the league at the end of the season to join the Auckland and District League, had a foretaste of what to expect in their new surroundings when they lost 4-1 to Quinn's Inn in the Darlington Charity Cup. Paul Wheldon was Bridge's scorer.

In a close league match at Abbey Road, Old Boys defended well and hit RA Social on the break to run out 3-1 winners. Michael Weston scored RA's first-half leveller, but goals from Stuart Alderson (2) and Jimmy Morris secured the points for Old Boys. It was business as usual as East End WMC got back to winning ways and ran out 7-2 winners against a plucky Archdeacon. Jimmy Francis (3), John Wray, John Banks, Steve Johnson and Mark Maddison scored for the clubmen, Paul Scott and Chris Straw replied.

Cricketers twice came from behind to share the spoils with Killinghall Arms. Kevin Ashton headed Killie into the lead but Dave Wilson levelled in a goalmouth scramble. Daniel Fleary restored Killie's lead with another header but David Lewis cashed in on another weak clearance in the dying minutes. After an even opening 30 minutes Spraire scored twice in as many minutes against Hole In The Wall to turn round two goals to the good.

In the second-half both sides wasted several chances but keepers Mark Baldwin (Spraire) and David Orr (Hole in the Wall) held firm with Liam Coleman's tireless efforts were rewarded with a headed third. Earlier, veterans Phil Haymer and Andrew Morrigan put their experience to good effect, giving Spraire only their third win of the season.

On Saturday, Cricketers dominated the first-half of their encounter with DGSOB but trailed 1-0 at the interval when Stuart Alderson's half-hit shot bobbled in over the keeper. The second-half was all Old Boys who increased their lead through Paul Dent and Roger Davie before David Wilson got Cricketers' consolation.

In a mediocre encounter, East End WMC and Rothmans drew 1-1 courtesy of first-half goals from Mark Maddison and Phil Shield.

Killingworth Arms defeated Post Boy 3-0 with first-half strikes from Paul Vickers, Andy Robert and an own goal. DSRM's two-match winning run was halted in no uncertain terms losing 10-1 at leaders Newton Aycliffe. A goal in each half from Mark Eyles and substitute Alistair Tatham on his debut gave RA Social a 2-0 win against Hole in the Wall whose form has fallen away dramatically in recent weeks.

In the derby at Haughton School, Shuttle and Loom and Speedy Hire shared four goals at the interval. Speedy Hire finished the stronger for a 6-3 win. Speedy's scorers were Darren Watson (4), Graham Weir and Jonathan Cooke. Archdeacon gained their second point of the season with a 2-2 draw at Spraire.

l Archdeacon are holding a race night at the Archdeacon pub on Saturday, April 14 at 7.30pm in aid of broken leg victim Phil Snowball. All are welcome.