MIDDLESBROUGH strolled to victory in the Northern Masters yesterday, comfortably winning all three games including the final against Sunderland.

The Teessiders also won last year’s annual tournament for veterans when Craig Hignett proved to be the difference.

Yesterday at the MetroRadio Arena he was joined in the Boro side by 40-year-old Dean Windass and the pair made Boro too strong for their North-East rivals.

As Middlesbrough finished top of Group B Hartlepool and Darlington were swept aside, 2-0 and 4-0 respectively, before Sunderland were thrashed 6-2 in the final.

Although Hignett was again in scoring form, finding the net three times, Windass was the star as the released Hull City forward netted four to become the tournament’s leading scorer.

Before facing Boro, Darlington and Hartlepool provided a five-goal thriller, Quakers edging it thanks to Ian Clark’s solo effort.

On target for Darlington were Neil Maddison and Lee Nogan, while Paul Dalton had pulled one back for Pools who have still to win a game in the Masters since first entering in 2006.

Also rolling back the years was Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn who netted in each of the Black Cats’ three games.

Four days after unveiling Steve Bruce as Sunderland’s new manager, Quinn netted during the Group A’s first game against Carlisle, a 2-2 draw in which Marco Gabbiadini notched.

Quinn also scored in the Tyne/Wear derby which the Black Cats won 3-2 to win Group A and seal their place in the final while simultaneously sending Newcastle crashing out.

Alex Mathie and John Beresford netted for the Magpies, who were without the injured Paul Gascoigne and goalkeeper Pavel Srnicek who was a last-minute withdrawal despite flying to Newcastle at the weekend.

But it proved too little too late as Sunderland had already strolled to a 3-0 lead thanks to Quinn, Richard Ord and Alex Rae.

However, in the final Boro were too good for a tiring Sunderland and two John Hendrie strikes added to goals from Hignett and Windass ensured that the Teessiders will play in national final later this year.

RESULTS

Group A: Sunderland 2 Carlisle 2;

Carlisle 2 Newcastle 2

Sunderland 3 Newcastle 2.

Group B: Darlington 3 Hartlepool 2;

Middlesbrough 2 Hartlepool 0;

Darlington 0 Middlesbrough 4.

Final: Middlesbrough 6 Sunderland 2.