The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

However, following the awful weather conditions only six of the 16 scheduled first round games were completed, along with the last remaining preliminary round game. In that preliminary round tie, second division Grey Horse were put to the sword by a commanding display by Middleton St. George Cricket Club of Division Three, which saw the Cricket Club running out as 11-2 victors.

Meanwhile, in the first round proper third division Peppers Draughting Services produced the greatest "giant-killing" feat as they beat first division Northern Echo. However, the result was not a total surprise as PDS have conquered all before them this season at a canter, and they showed their class to progress easily into the second round. In fact, PDS took a 4-0 lead into the break as they swept the Echo aside from the opening whistle, despite the difficult conditions. The second half saw a better performance from the Echo however, and Graeme Bainbridge's double strike proved a fair reflection on the Echo's performance. PDS also managed to find the back of the net twice in the second period though, as Mark Stephenson completed his hat-trick, with Michael Carter and Dave Turnbull (2) notching the remaining goals in the 6-2 victory.

Second Division side Bishop Auckland Derby also took a First Division scalp as they won the "Battle of Bishop" against Bishop Auckland Cricket Club. Two goals for Darren Dye and one apiece from Glen Thompson and Dale Jardine set the Derby on the way to an impressive 4-2 victory, with Alan Meadows and Chris Stott notching the Cricket Club's goals. The Derby and PDS were the only teams to beat higher placed opposition on the day, however, as the rest of the cup games went to form, although Shuttle & Loom were given a scare by Second Division high-flyers Killinghall Arms. Everything started well for the Shuttle as Kevin Baines gave the hosts an early 1-0 lead, but things soon turned around as Baines was given his marching orders after only 25 minutes, reducing the Shuttle to ten men.

The numerical advantage allowed the Killy to get into the game, and shortly before half-time they dealt the Shuttle a devastating double-blow as Paul Walker and Danny Fleary both notched to put the visitors 2-1 up at the break. The second half started in much the same vain as the first as the Shuttle created, and missed, some fine chances, but the turning point came twenty minutes from time as the Killy had Dave Roddey dismissed. With both sides down to ten-men the game became one-way traffic as Darren Hickey orchestrated manoeuvres from the heart of the Shuttle midfield, and it came as no surprise when Paul Soderman levelled the scores with a fine strike from ten yards. Chris Airey then sealed the game with a minute to go as his 8-yard volley flew into the top corner to give the Shuttle a thoroughly deserved 3-2 victory.

Elsewhere, reigning champions Coundon Foresters ground out a 3-0 victory over third division promotion chasers FR Aviation, whilst East End WMC avenged their first division cup defeat by Hurworth Albion in devastating fashion. Chris Scott and John Banks gave the EastEnders a 2-0 half-time lead, but they saved their best for the second half as Neil Tarrant (2), Shaun Collins, Paul Horsley and Scott all notched en-route to a 7-1 rout. The Albion did manage a last minute consolation from Kelvin Russell, but even that was against the run of play as the EastEnders completely dominated proceedings from beginning to end.

In the only remaining cup-tie, Haughton BAT pulled off an impressive 5-0 victory over a Royal Oak side that failed to reproduce anything like their good form of date. Man-of-the-match Paul Legg top scored with two of the Haughton goals, but the goal of the game was an exquisite first-half lob from Paul Cooper. Karl Lockwood and Mark Richardson also found the scoresheet for Haughton as they cruised into the hat for the second round draw, whilst the Oak were left to rue missed chances and a poor team performance.