IN the First Division basement battle Annfield Plain Cricket Club are now rock bottom after losing out to Chopwell who had previously held that unwanted tag.

There was little to choose between the two strugglers but it was Chopwell who eventually edged it by the odd goal in three with goals from Trevor Tyers and Steve Smith while John Smith bagged the Plain's consolation.

Blackhill Comrades moved joint top with Lanchester Social after they too enjoyed a 2-1 win which came at Lintz Cricket Club. Mickey Edmunds' goal was not enough to save Lintz who lost out to strikes from Andy Pearson and Paul Clarke.

David Harrop was the star of the show in the Second Division as Black Horse thrashed early season pacesetters Plainsman 5-1 on their own patch. Harrop scored an excellent hat-trick with the others netted by Kevin Coulson and David Smith with Glenn Ferry replying.

Gary Messer scored twice as Shaftoes managed to hold off the Highwayman 5-3 and there was a hat-trick for Michael Bruce in a 6-1 Top Club win over the Bute Arms.

In Division Three, doubles from Richard Foster and Simon McCabe and another from Joe Clark saw Delves United beat the Smelters Arms 5-0.

Stuart Allan scored twice in vain for Cronniwell who lost out 3-2 at home to the Duke of Wellington who found match winners in two-goal Carl Davidson and David Rainbow while the Ball Alley beat Hamsteels 6-2.

Stanley Aged Miners' Cup

Consett'S Northern League striker Michael Pitt was in devastating form for Lanchester Social against Annfield Plain Demi.

The First Division leaders rattled up double figures against the Division Two outfit with Pitt helping himself to eight of the ten goals.

Smith Arms also made progress when the Annfield Plain side beat the Freemasons 4-1 with Scott Bell bagging himself to a hat-trick.

North West Durham Charity Cup

STATESIDE added another cup win to their already impressive haul this season when they accounted for Gateshead Sunday League outfit Dunston Excelsior. Darren Bell helped himself to a brace in the 4-1 success with the others coming from Paul Jobes and Chris Connolly.

There was a rare shock this season for Leadgate Golden Lion who, despite a strike from John Dettmar, went down by the odd goal in three after extra-time against Pelton Fell Club. The Fell took the lead with an Andrew Cuthbertson goal with Dettmar equalising before Craig Pugh scored the winner.

Scotch Arms also went out of the trophy when despite efforts from John Murphy and Andrew Howe they were beaten 4-2 at home by Gateshead Storemont Main.

Felling Mulberry lost at Washington Victoria by 5-1 with Gary Harkness scoring their only goal.

Stanley Royal won 2-1 at Barley Mow WMC at Birtley with goals from Kraig Wilkinson and Mark Patterson.

Consett Charity Cup

Stanley Central were pushed all of the way by Second Division Burgoynnes before eventually booking their second round place.

The visitors showed why they are one of the main favourites to book their place in the top flight next season with a fighting display that produced goals from Anthony Hodgson and Andy Clark.

But those efforts were not quite enough and Stanley Central came out on top in the five goal thriller with winning goals from Simon Purcell, Richard Waugh and a crucial Steve Nixon strike.

Jack Grigg Memorial Trophy

Station Ex Juniors finally got back on the winning trail with a 3-2 away success at Division Two side Oxhill Central.

David Green scored both of the home goals but it was the Station Ex who made progress thanks to goals from Robbie Blemmings, Kevin McCrory and Scott Lowrey.

Stanley Sunday League

Grange Villa maintained their momentum at the top of the table with a 2-0 win at Pelton Crown.

The Crown, who missed a penalty when it was still goalless, were made to pay dearly when Barry Ward and Marc Ward scored for the Villa to keep them in third position.

South Moor Sports played at Washington Oasis and ran out 3-0 winners to go top with goals from Stephen Green, Peter Blackburn, and Scott Watson.

Stanley RAFA made it successive league wins with a hard earned odd goal in seven win over Low Fell Jolly Miller. The RAFA took a two-goal lead and were pushed all the way by a very good Low Fell side.

However the Miller have only themselves to blame. They shot wide from the penalty spot when it was 4-2 and then saw a second penalty saved by Tony Ridley without any further addition to the score but did put away the rebound.

The RAFA's goals came from, David Watson, David Maughan, Lewis Carr Slones and Chris Youll on his debut with Low Fell's efforts netted by John Robinson, Dean Bramwell and Andrew Stephenson.