THERE was countback heartbreak for the three-man team from City of Newcastle Golf Club when Birstall made up nine shots to claim the title of English Champion Club.

With the North-East team seemingly set for a European adventure by winning when the prestigious event held at Brancepeth Castle last week, Birstall came back from the dead to leave the region’s hopefuls deflated.

Chris Webb, Jack Merry and Steve Sansome beat the halfway leaders, City of Newcastle, on countback after both teams finished on 11-over par in County Durham. Birstall’s second round total was just four-over, while their rivals were 13-over.

That means it will be Birstall rather than City of Newcastle representing England in the European Champion Club tournament in Cyprus next month.

City of Newcastle, Northumberland, had to settle for second spot, just as they did in 2009. One shot behind them, on 12-over, was third placed Workington from Cumbria.

City of Newcastle’s Phil Ridden, who went round in one-over par on the final day, had the consolation of topping the individual leaderboard on four-under, one ahead of Merry. Ridden’s team-mates, Mark McCarthy and Alex Dixon, shot 147 and 148 respectively.

Durham City finished tied 19th with Jack Richardson top scoring on 146, while Andrew Bell hit 151 and Alex Robinson carded 162.

NEXT Wednesday will see North-East football unite and swing into action to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The Sir Bobby Robson Celebrity Golf Day, sponsored by Pin Point Recruitment, is a popular fixture on the region’s golf calendar and brings together current and former representatives of Middlesbrough, Newcastle United and Sunderland football clubs to raise money for local people facing cancer.

Organised by Sir Bobby’s family, the event sold out well in advance and the venue is, once again, beautiful Rockliffe Hall Hotel, near Darlington.

A host of famous faces are expected to attend, including Alan Shearer, a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

Shearer said: “One of the very special things about the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation is that it helps people from across the whole of our region.

“It’s a fantastic idea to bring together all the North-East clubs like this and Sir Bobby would be in his element surrounded by so many football friends.

“We’re hoping to raise a good amount of money for the Foundation and, with so many different football allegiances out on the course, it’s usually a competitive day too. I think this is the fourth year for this event and long may it continue.”

To make a donation, view messages of support, or for more information please visitwww.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk or donate by sending a cheque to Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, Charitable Funds Office, Peacock Hall, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP.