DURHAM set themselves up for a promotion showdown with Staffordshire in their County Championship Plate final game at Gateshead next Saturday when they scored six tries to beat Essex 44-5 at Hartlepool Rovers.

Former Northampton centre Chris Hyndman, now Billingham's player-coach, went on as a replacement centre and scored two tries, as did Durham University winger Oliver Brennand.

Centre Rob McDermott (Durham University) and winger Gareth Foreman (Hartlepool Rovers) also touched down, with Middlesbrough full back Simon Moore adding four conversions, a penalty and a drop goal.

Darlington skipper Richard Snowball scored the opening try as he produced a tremendous display in Yorkshire's 57-19 win against North Midlands at Doncaster in the senior event, now the Bill Beaumont Trophy.

Apart from weighing up offers to play for National Two clubs such as Otley and Wharfedale, Snowball hopes to earn selection for the England Counties squad's summer tour to Russia.

Despite being forced to make numerous changes before the game, Yorkshire produced some fluent, high-quality rugby and team manager Graham Siswick said: "It was hard to single out individuals because everyone played so well, but Richard Snowball as outstanding."

At Tynedale, Northumberland beat Cumbria 42-31 with a team which featured Darlington flanker Phil Dawson.