THE LONG-SOUGHT Middleton Cup, won for the first time in Durham's 78-year history, will have pride of place at the county's annual dinner on October 28, the last official function of publicity officer Lewis Gordon, who is retiring.

Northumberland-born Lewis, of the Darlington Woodlands Club, has served Durham in the position since 1986 and has decided the time has come to hand over the mantle, though he is keen to remain a member of the County Executive Council. An active sportsman in his younger days, he was captain of Newcastle's County Club cricket team, and played Minor Counties cricket for Northumberland, before pursuing bowling interests with his adopted county. Durham finally captured the prestigious inter-county Middleton Cup last month after losing in their two previous final appearances in 1938 and 1972.

l With the opening round of the Canada Life Denny Cup inter-club championship just a fortnight away, the region's clubs are preparing to do battle in a competition which has always generated great interest for the ordinary club member.

Hartlepool, winners three times, have not reached the national final since 1988, when they lost to City of Ely at Rugby Thornfield, have re-organised their approach to the event. Selection and coaching is now in the hands of former England internationals Ken Illingworth, Mal Hughes, Cliff Simpson and newly-appointed England Director of Coaching Derek Bell.

l At the AGM of the Hartlepool Veterans League President Derek Stephenson presented the League Trophy to Eldon Grove A team, the Champion of Champions singles award to Ted Adamson, of the Foggy Furze club, and the Pairs Trophy to Dennis Lilley and Ken Oram (Brinkburn). The President, a member of the Hartlepool club, then had the pleasure of presenting three trophies to club colleagues - Jimmy Robb (singles), Bill Stabler and Edgar Measor (pairs) and Stan Walker, Bill Stabler and Jimmy Robb (3-man rinks)