Durham and Cleveland men are one step nearer the premier division following their table-topping exploits in Chesterfield last weekend when their three stage one victories in division one put them in to the promotion play-off next March.

Yawar Abbas, the programming and events manager of Manchester City Council, led the side as number one. Cambridge University student David Woodman was two. The Norton club provided three players, Gareth Lumsdon, Andy Cross and Ian Hilton, while Peter Lonsdale (Redcar) was fourth string.

The County collected 47 points from three 3-2 wins to finish only three ahead of East of Scotland. Day one had seen the pair unbeaten meaning the clash on the second day would determine the one/two order with promotion pretty much assured for both with the tartan side three points ahead of D and C.

In the end Durham edged home by 3-2 and ten sets to nine, such was the closeness of the affair, but the win bonus made the difference and first place was gained.

Woodman, injured in the previous match, took to the court as number three, but retired after 11 points, while fifth string Hilton, making a return to county squash after a few years absence, lost 3-1. Cross, at four, in his second season only, revived fortunes with a 3-1 win, while Abbas, who plays for Grove Park in Cheadle Hulme, Manchester, had a more comfortable success in three.

With the score at 2-2 and seven sets all, promotion was achieved. But who would take the honours? Lumsdon, who had already rescued his side twice, was left as number two to repeat his performances of the previous day. The outlook was bleak as he went down in the first two games.

He pulled one back and on the brink again saved a matchball again to square the contest. That spurred him on for a 7-9 2-9 9-6 10-9 9-4 comeback victory, for team win and for top spot.

Cheshire were beaten in the opening contest after the first two rubbers were shared. Woodman winning and also the next two, with Abbas scoring, while Lonsdale and Hillton picked up one point each. This left Lumsdon and Hilton who picked up one point each. This left Lumsdon to win easily.