The 2003-04 season got under way with some very good encounters. Although the League lost some clubs it also gained some, leaving the League with 12 to compete for the title.

Ritchie Dodsworth got Darlington The Mowden's campaign underway when he hit all four (two pen) as they overcame Darlington Dalesman 4-3 with the winner coming in the 87th minute. Mowden took a two goal interval lead with Dalesman fighting back to level through Paul Prince and a Dave Hunter (pen.), Dodsworth made it 3-2 with Mike Longstaff putting the sides level once again, then came the killer.

Shildon Elm Road WMC entertained one of our new clubs Tindale WMC in what could be described as a local derby and it turned out to be just that with some great end to end play, both sides were well matched throughout going in at the break 1-1, Garry Whittaker scoring for Tindale and Jamie Jones for Elm Road, second period was just as close with the game ending all square 2-2, Jones getting his second and Billy Latcham converting a penalty for Tindale.

We had the same result at Hurworth where Emerson Arms took on Darlington Travellers Rest, oonce again there was nothing to pick and choose between the two sides Steve Appleby and Geoff Kell scoring for Travellers, Neil Bell scored Emersons first with Kelvin Russell heading in the late equaliser.

At Abbey Road Stillington The Royal had their hands full against the young Darlington Grammer School Old Boys, it wasn't until the 38th minute that they finally found the net through Lee O'Connell they went two five minutes later when Paul Cleary scored, in the second Cleary scored his second with Old Boys pulling one back to leave the final score at 3-1.

Chilton Community College were given a run for their money for three quarters of the game by Darlington Skerne Park but then the Park boys tired and College ran out some what easy winners 7-0.

Consett Sunday League

AFTER a miserable start to the season, Annfield Plain Cricket Club have finally started to find their feet.

Following a shock midweek win over Stateside, the cricketers followed up by sharing four goals with Station Ex Juniors .

Lee Innes smashed a hat-trick as Blackhill Comrades hit Blackhall Mill for six with Andrew Morgan scoring twice and Andrew Westgarth the other.

Gary Christie was another hat-trick striker as Lintz beat Stanley Central 4-2. Kevin Johnson got the other while Paul Staplin and Neil Palmer responded for the Central.

After sharing the honours with each other last week, the Plainsman came out by the odd goal in five against Second Division win over local rivals the Smiths Arms. Stephen Mallet and Chris Beedham put the Plainsman 2-0 up only for the Smith to draw level, but all to no avail, when Mallet's second saw the Plainsman to all three points.

Burton House remain unbeaten and clear at the top after two-goal David Jennings and Wayne Hardyman saw them to a 3-2 home win over Shaftoes.

Mark Emery struck a hat-trick and David Sewell the other to see Horse & Groom to a 4-1 Division Three win over Freemasons while Medomsley Miners Arms won 3-1 on their travels at Hamsteels.

Anthony Coleman struck three times as Burnhope romped to a 7-0 win over the Smelters in the Iveson Bowl while both Steve Richardson and Richard Foster scored twice as Delves saw off the Cronniwell 6-1.

Mark Turner scored five times and David Craggs and John Dettmar twice each in a crushing 9-0 County Cup win for Leadgate Golden Lion over the Northern Echo.

A Darren Bell hat-trick along with a Darren Watson strike saw Stateside to a 4-0 Harkness Cup win at Chopwell.

In the Abbey Trophy, Darren Watson and Darren Rowcroft netted twice each in a Bute Arms 6-5 win over Annfield Plain Demi for whom Lee Rainbow also scored a couple.

David Dick and Carl McGuigan also landed doubles as the Cricketers accounted for the Top Club 6-3 with Ian Hodgson replying with a couple of goals.

Black Horse went through 3-1 at the Steel Club with Martiin McKinney scoring twice along with David Jackson with Andy Gates the Steel Club scorer.

Stanley Sunday League

Felling Mulberry were up against in-form local rivals Low Fell Jolly Miller, who had won their two opening games

And in a superb encounter that unbeaten run was ended when the Mulberry just shaded the result by the odd goal in five with a late penalty earning them the points.

The Mulberry scored with goals from Gary Harkness, Robbie Drummond and that penalty by Iain Pine with Low Fell hitting back in vain with goals from Scott Dodd sand Andrew Stephenson

Grange Villa WMC also had a local derby with Pelton Fell WMC and won 4-2. Eugene Morgan(2), Barry Ward and John Haley with a penalty did the damage for the Villa with Pelton Fell replying with goals from Michael Barton and Billy Burrell.

Gateshead Black Bull, who had started the league well were up against one of the dark horses in South Moor Sports and lost 5-1. The Black Bull's goal came from Darren Smith, with South Moor scoring through a David Craig hat-trick, Chris Youll and Peter Blackburn.

In the Durham County Sunday Cup, Pelton Crown travelled to the Bishop Auckland Grand and in close game won 2-0 with a Grant Nattrass strike and an own goal securing the Crown's passage.

Stanley Royal took on Oxhill Central and won 4-1 with David Turner hitting a hat-trick and Mark Drake the other.

Washington Oasis were thrashed 12-0 by Gateshead Teams Social and Stanley RAFA played lost 7-1 at Shildon Royal George.