THERE was nothing unlucky about the 13th league win of the season for Division One leaders Leadgate Golden Lion.

It did, afterall, maintain their 100 per cent record and leave them requiring only three more victories from their final five fixtures to lift the championship.

Their latest success was a 5-1 win at Station Ex Juniors while Stateside were another team to go nap when doubles from Darren Watson and Richard Parking along with a Thomas Bushby goal saw them to a 5-0 win over Annfield Plain CC.

Stephen Nixon struck both goals as Stanley Central accounted for Lintz Cricket Club and a double from Michael Pitt helped Lanchester Social edge out Blackhall Mill by the odd goal in five.

Division Two leaders Burton House were 4-0 winners at Oxhill with Alex Atkinson notching a couple while Michael Hurst and Shaun Dodd goals steered Black Horse to a 2-0 win over Annfield Plain Demi.

Another of the Plain sides - the Plainsman - needed only a Tony Quinn goal to account for the Bute Arms.

Darren Scarr struck a hat-trick in Division Three but it still only helped Ball Alley to a 3-3 draw at Burnhope and at the same time affect their title hopes.

David Nicholson and Brian Armstrong doubles spearheaded leaders Burgoynnes to a 6-3 win over Hamsteels while Freemasons hit the Duke of Wellington for six and Horse & Groom won 3-1 at Medomsley Miners.

Stanley Sunday League

The race for the runners-up spot is still wide open following Pelton Fell's 4-2 win over Washington Oasis to keep them hanging on to the shirt-tails of the currently second placed side Grange Villa.

It was goals from Lee Hutchinson, Michael Barton, Stephen Mullholland and Craig Pugh. That did the trick with Washington hitting back through Craig Carpenter and Dean Robson.

Felling Mulberry lost 5-3 at home to Pelton Crown Inn in what brought the curtain down on the Crown's league campaign this season.

Stephen Cameron went out in style with a hat-trick with Mark Lyall and Shane Swift all scoring for the Crown while the Mulberry's treble came from Gary Harkness, Paul Wilkinson and Jay Pringle.

Stanley Royal are odds-on favourites to end the season with a 100 per cent record. The latest victims for the champions - who have won all 18 games to date - were Gateshead Black Bull who they crushed 12-1 who managed a consolation goal from their leading scorer Chris McGee.

Mark Patterson and Mark Drake grabbed hat-tricks from the Royal along with goals from David Robson, Allan Todd, Ian Watson, Graham Kendall and Kevin Dixon.

Richardson Cup

In the final group game, Low Fell Jolly Miller came from behind to see off the Stanley Masons Arms 3-1.

It was Colin Stobbart who gave the Masons the lead who then blotted their copy book by having two of their players sent off.

The Low Fell lads took full advantage of only having nine men to contend with and went on to score through David Elders, Steve Crocker and Paul Lennon.