Durham County: Durham County opened their County Championship campaign by travelling to play Cheshire at Winnington Park and were defeated 77-3 by a very well organised and hard working team.

Cheshire delivered a polished performance running in ten tries and they are now sure to be contenders for glory at Twickenham.

A magnificent display from the Cheshire backline was a joy to watch. They counter-attacked with real pace and conviction at every opportunity. Fly-half Anthony Birley contributing 27 points.

However, the scoreline does not reflect the game as Durham produced a spirited and commendable performance.

The home sides cause was also helped by getting a favourable bounce of the ball on every occasion. This coupled with superb support play gave Cheshire a good platform to work off.

In hot conditions, Durham produced some good phases of rugby in both the loose and tight play and they are sure to have encouraged Coach Phil Lancaster. Durham matched Cheshire in the set piece, with Michael Thubron (Horden) and Michael Taylor (Hartlepool) impressing. The first half saw Cheshire race into a 30-3 lead by half-time, scoring three good tries and Birley adding 15 points with the boot. Fly-half Craig Lee (Darlington) scored Durham's penalty.

Cheshire added a further seven tries in the second half as they hit top gear.

However, some excellent scrabbling defence by all the Durham team prevented a confident home side scoring more tries than they could have.

Bishop Auckland

Bishop Auckland finished off their season with a mixed bag of results and contrasting performances, writes Malcolm Pratt. They travelled to Seghill for the final game in the Durham and Northumberland League Division Three and another dismal first-half performance resulted in them losing 54-15.

Poor covering in defence allowed Seghill a handful of early tries and a lead that Bishops never looked like denting.

Second-half tries from Constantine and Hughes and a conversion and penalty from Sayer brought a degree of respectability but the result consigned them to third from bottom with only the two relegated Hartlepool sides below them.

This has been a poor season for Bishops and they are already looking to considerably improve next time. Last Sunday, a highly competitive and entertaining Ted Robinson Memorial Sevens Tournament was held at West Mills.

For the first time in many years, Bishops managed to provide two squads. A Touring side from Essington in Staffordshire were welcomed and history was made with the first ever appearance of a Rugby League side, Durham Tigers in competition.

In the semi finals, Bishops put up an excellent performance to hold the University to 0-0 at half time before finally going down 21-0 while Yarm comfortably defeated Barnard Castle 33-19.

In an exhilarating final, Yarm built up an early lead only for the University to draw level at 19-19 in the dying seconds of the game. Extra time saw a totally committed Yarm side score three tries to the Students' one and Yarm ended worthy winners and another new name was added to the Trophy.

Last Friday, Bishop Auckland welcomed to West Mills, Maesteg Celtic, a South Wales side on tour to the North East. The quick passing and strong support play typical of Welsh running Rugby threatened at times to submerge the home side.

However, Bishops stuck to their task and despite losing the first half five tries to one, dominated much of the second period to produce one of the best games seen on the ground this season.

This Saturday, a whole new venture begins as Durham Tigers play their inaugural home Rugby League match at West Mills in a development which could be of considerable benefit to both clubs. Kick-off is 3pm and all spectators will be made welcome.

Durham County Junior Cup Final

Sunderland v Winlaton

Sunderland ended a poor season on a high with a hard fought 16-6 win over League rivals Winlaton Vulcans to lift the Durham County Junior Cup at Durham City.

Sunderland fly-half Michael Porter was the star of the show scoring all of his team's points.

A spirited second half fight back from Winlaton proved in vain as the classy Porter kicked well out of hand and at goal.

Despite some good early Winlaton pressure on the Sunderland line, Porter kicked a penalty. However, good tactical kicking from Porter and good ball retention skills from the Sunderland forwards failed to yield any more points in the first half.

Sunderland started the second half strongly pressuring Winlaton and gaining good field possession. Porter converted two testing penalties for a 9-0 lead.

Midway through the second half Porter clinched the game and Cup for Sunderland by scoring a converted try. Porter danced his way through the 22 and the Vulcans' defence to touchdown under the posts.

Porter's try proved the spark that ignited Winlaton, but despite some good attacking rugby they were only rewarded with two penalties for the boot of fly-half Allison.

Winlaton's second half purple patch was not enough to prevent Sunderland claim a well deserved 16-6 win.