Birtley St Josephs were just a little better than Springwell Village to earn them another three points in the league. After only three minutes John Sexton had them in the lead, but they did not have long to celebrate as two minutes later Wayne Hennesy equalised for Springwell. St Josephs led again in the 40th minute through John Summerville. Springwell replied again in the 65th minute, Mark Huntley the scorer. Five minutes later John Sexton got his second and the winner for Birtley who are gradually improving their position in the league.

Simonside Social Club and Seaham Mallard shared the points in a scrappy 2-2 draw. Simonside took the lead in 18 minutes. Michael Ord the scorer. In the second half Mallard went 2-1 up with Anthony Laidler equalising in 57 minutes and scoring another in the 64th minute. But in the 84th minute Ray Simpson scored from the spot to level it.

Leaders Hartlepool Boys Welfare were rampant again, with one way traffic against BHD Windows who had no answere in a 10-0 thrashing. Scorers were John Parkins (2), Dave Smith (2), Jeff Cooper (2), Mark Nicholson,Stuart Cooper, Terry Bainbridge and Paul Doughty.

Ebchester FC moved up one place in the league with a well earned win over Chester's FC. Michael Price had them in front from the penalty spot with Mark Green getting second for a 2-0 lead at the break Richard Hand pulled a goal back for Cheater's. But that counted for nothing when Keith Coulter and Michael Price scored for Ebchester.

Belford House go through to the next round of the Washington Aged Peoples Trophy with a 3-1 win over Seaham The Duke. They were 1-0 in front at half time, Ian McDowell the scorer after 30 minutes, Michael Corner hit two more after 50 and 60 minutes. Martin Taylor replied for The Duke.

Washington Westwood went down 3-2 after extra time to Hartlepool Arriva in the Washington Aged Peoples Trophy.

P W D L F A Pts

Boys Welfare 15 15 0 0 86 5 45

Seaham The Duke 17 11 2 4 78 29 35

Belford House 12 11 0 1 52 9 33

Simonside 16 10 1 5 54 28 31

Durham Victoria Bridge 19 8 4 7 53 44 28

*Washington Westwood 13 8 3 2 54 24 24

Whitehill 12 7 2 3 37 20 23

Seaham Mallard 19 6 3 10 39 52 21

*Wylam Vale Celtic 18 7 1 10 46 63 19

Ebchester 19 5 3 11 26 68 18

Springwell Village 18 5 2 11 29 73 17

Birtley St Josephs 16 4 3 9 35 54 15

BHD Windows 21 3 3 15 22 73 12

Chester's 17 2 1 14 23 92 7