WOMEN'S football teams from across the region shook off the festive excesses to compete in the first Christmas Cup competition in Durham yesterday.

Nine teams, featuring some of the top female footballers in the region, took part in the six-a-side tournament at the indoor Soccarena complex, next to Durham City's Archibald Stadium.

They faced each other in eight 12-minute matches, with play-offs to decide the placings. Sunderland women's team emerging cream of the crop, winning all nine games to emerge first Christmas Cup champions, closely pressed by Chester-le-Street Town's A team, which only lost to Sunderland.

Having beaten Chester-le-Street 3-2 in the group stage, Sunderland repeated the feat in the final, winning 3-1, with a brace of goals for Jill Scott and one for Steph Houghton, while Rachael Furness grabbed one for the Cestrians.

Among the spectators was Soccarena manager Jim Pearson, a former Everton and Newcastle player. He said: "It's been an excellent tournament, played in good spirit."

Sunderland manager Mick Mulhern, who was unable to attend due to work commitments, arrived just in time to see his team lift the trophy.

He praised the side's efforts in his absence, and hopes to see more silverware at the club next year, as Sunderland start 2005 at the top of the FA Premier League North, hoping for a return to the top ten of the female Premiership.

Soccarena stages its second Christmas Cup on Thursday, when eight under-14 teams go head-to-head.