YOUR headline, "Lord's - and Masters" (Echo, Aug 20), might seem a little grandiose, but it testifies to the vision and hard work that has gone into making Durham cricket into a success story.

Over 15 years from being a Minor Counties team, Durham County Cricket Club have progressed and the vision and foresight of former chairman Don Robson and others keen to invest in a first class county has paid off.

The club's achievement against Hampshire in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord's at the weekend is a further contribution in putting Durham on the map after its Riverside ground became a venue for Test cricket.

Let's hope the Lord's victory is an important milestone and will be a catalyst for more success. But for the moment, let's celebrate.

Bernie Walsh, Coxhoe, Durham.

AS a (Northern-born) neutral it was a pleasure to witness a great performance by Durham County Cricket Club in the Friends Provident Trophy final at Lord's.

The team performed in an excellent spirit and my congratulations go to the club.

However, this was ruined for myself and many (including families) who were seated next to some Durham "supporters" whose sole purpose was to drink to oblivion and then subject those around them to drunken and foulmouthed antics.

Absolutely inexcusable was their racist chanting against stewards and even members of the Durham team.

How sad that such an achievement for Durham should be marred by such a mindless minority.

Andrew Chew, Horsham, Sussex.