Stanley RAFA have struggled all season in the league, but have experienced no such problems in the Richardson Cup.

Needless to say they were particularly confident when they tackled Felling Mulberry in the final and must have thought it was going to be their day when on three separate occasions they took the lead.

But Felling showed their fighting qualities and managed to pull it level each time to force extra-time and then a penalty shootout.

The RAFA's goals came from Lewis Carr-Slones, David Watson and Stephen Burdis with the Mulberry scoring through two very good free kicks from Lee Wilkinson and another from Gary Harkness.

In the penalty shoot-out it seemed no team wanted to win but every time RAFA missed Mulberry did the same. Then with it standing at 14-14 in the penalty stakes the RAFA missed and Harkness stepped up to clinch the trophy for the Mulberry.

In the league, Grange Villa claimed the runners-up spot following a 3-1 win over Low Fell Jolly Miller with goals from Ian Pinchen, Ian Douglas and Colin Harrison.

Pelton Fell entertained champions Stanley Royal and the same way as every other opposition this season when they were not only beaten but were hit for six in the process.

Kraig Wilkinson and Mark Drake both scored twice along with Mark Patterson and Kevin Dixon (jnr).

Stanley Masons Arms lost 4-2 at home to South Moor Sports 4-2. The Masons scored Ian McAllister (pen) and Colin Stobbart With the Moor scoring through veteran Keith Gardner, Anthony Burgess and Craig Pope double salvo.

Washington Oasis and Stanley RAFA forced out a 1-1 draw with Dean Robson scoring for the Oasis and Paul Woodhouse replying.

North West Durham Charity Cup Final

RAMPANT Stanley Royal retained the North West Durham Charity Cup to add even more silverware to what has already been a major trophy-winning season.

It took only a solitary goal to seal the Royal's back-to-back wins against Gateshead Allerdene. After a goalless first half the Royal upped the tempo and scored the all important winner after 67 minutes through David Turner.

The Royal then missed a couple of good chances to increase the scoreline but it did not matter.