There was a big contingent of Lanchester supporters present at the Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League presentation dinner held in Newcastle.

League Chairman Brian Taylor, who has announced that he is to stand down at the annual meeting next month, said there had been a hard fought battle for the championship.

"Lanchester and Newcastle City did all the running for most of the season but towards the end Tynedale came into contention. Lanchester though held off both of their opponents and in the end were comfortable winners" said Taylor.

Surprisingly, not one Lanchester batsman figured in the leading batting average, and Taylor pointed out that their success was mainly down to the attack in which spinners Banda and Fareukh Ikbal starred.

The championship trophy was presented to Tony Halliday by Tony Clark, of Newcastle Breweries, the league sponsors and Shaun Cuthbertson recevied the division A2 Trophy.

Tynedale captain Mark Ridley accepted the B1 Trophy and Ian Richardson received the B2 Cup on behalf of Burnopfield.

Bob Brar was presented with the Division A Cup following Newcastle Citys' victory and Ashingtons' Geoff Prudhoe was handed the Division B Cup. Simon Prudhoe was awarded the Fosters' Trophy following Ashington's victory in the final.

Individual awards went to the following: Richard Darling (Tynedale) Bowler of the Year with 53 wickets. Harry Hubbar (Sacriston) was voted Players Player of the Year after scoring 599 runs and in Division A2, Graham Aengus of Benwell and Walbottle was named Players's Player after recorded 641 runs and taking 33 wickets.

Federation Special Durham

Senior League

Adrian Headley received the championship on behalf of Horden when the League held the annual dinner at the Federation Brewery, Dunston. Awards were also made to runners-up Burnmoor and to third placed Eppleton while Boldon were champions of the second team's league.

Other awards went to: Third teams champions Chester-le-Street, Under-18 Champions Eppleton, Under-15 Champions Chester-le-Street, Under-13 Champions Eppleton, Under-11 Champions Durham City.

Burmoor, who finished second in the league, lifted the Armbrista Memorial Trophy while Horden completed a double winning The Northern Rock Bowl.

The Second Teams league cup was presented to Burnmoor who also clinched the Third Teams league cup while Philadelphia were presented with the George Peacock Memorial Bowl. The Under-15 League Cup was won by Eppleton and Whitburn were successful in the final of the Under-13 League Cup.

Individual awards went to the the following: First Teams most runs S Birbeck, Eppleton, 950, most wickets C Pleasants, Felling, 68, most dismissals, J Laws, Hawden, 48, most catches A J Hedley, Horden, 16. Individual awards second teams most runs I Miller, Burnmoor, 699, most wickets, D Lander, Burnmoor, 68, most dismissals by a wicket-keeper A Conway, South Hetton, 24, most catches Hansen, Burnmoor, 13.

Individual Awards Third Teams most runs: W. Scott, Horden, 463, most wickets, D. B. Robson, Chester-le-Street, 15.

Crook Town Annual Awards

The Annual Presentation Evening of was held in the clubhouse when The Northern Echo's Mike Amos was Guest of Honour.

The following players received awards: Under-15s Most Improved Player Craig Westgarth, Under-15s Player of the Year Lee Formosa, Juniors most improved Player, Peter Robinson, Junior Player of the Year, Lee Formosa, Second Team Player of the Year, Chris Guy, First Team Player of the Year, Allan March.

Ronnie Tinkler Memorial Trophy for the best Second Team performance of the season: joint-winners were Simon Dunn and Michael Cooper. Lloyd Conaway Trophy for the First Team catch of the season, Allan March. Hat-trick, Allan March, Century Maker Michael Cooper.

Medallions were presented to all Under-15 and Junior Players and a silver plate was given to Keith Maddison who is retiring from playing.

Michael Manuel received a bottle of champagne for his work umpiring the under-15s and juniors and a trophy and watch was award to First-Team scorer Colin Short.