Durham City finished runners-up to Sedgefield in both age groups at the North East Counties Water Polo Championships held in Catterick Garrison pool.

In the Youth Championship Tournament for players born in 1987 and later, the young Durham side looked at one stage as if they might give favourites Sedgefield a fight for the Alan Donlan Trophy. The two teams went into their final game with maximum points.

At the halfway mark, Durham trailed Sedgefield by just one goal. However, the loss of Philip Rogers with three major fouls and the threatened loss of Joel Woods with two majors proved too big a disadvantage and Sedgefield ran out 9-2 winners to take the game and the tournament.

Sedgefield also defeated Durham 9-2 in the decisive game in the Acadamy Championship Tournament for players born 1989 and later.

Durham: 1987 team: Joel Woods, Chris Trotter, Chris Franklin, Philip Rogers, Anna Richardson, Alex Ward, Peter Ward, Zoe Bowler, Chris Stephenson, Alison Mell, Stefan O'Neill.

1989 team: Matthew Barr, Alison Mell, Stefan O'Neill, Peter Ward, Chris Stephenson, Stephen Marshall, Ben Gourlay, Thomas Hole, Hamish Crichton, Josh Havers.

Results: Youth Championship 1987: Sedgefield 0, Sunderland 0; Durham 10, Morley 5; Harrogate 1, Sedgefield 14; Durham 9, Catterick 1; Morley 0, Sunderland 0; Harrogate 2, Durham 11; Sedgefield 13, Catterick 0; Harrogate 0, Sunderland 0; Morley 9, Catterick 5; Durham 2, Sedgefield 9; Sunderland 0, Catterick 0; Harrogate 4, Morley 5; Durham 0, Sunderland 0; Morley 0, Sedgefield 12.

P W D L F A Diff. Pts

Sedgefield 5 5 0 0 48 03 +45 10

Durham City 5 4 0 1 32 25 +7 8

Morley 5 3 0 2 19 31 -12 6

Harrogate 5 2 0 3 13 35 -22 4

Catterick Cobras 5 1 0 4 11 37 -26 2

Sunderland 5 0 0 5 0 0 0 0

Leading scorers: C Gilbertson (Sedgefield) 14, A Richardson (Durham City) 12, S Carpenter (Sedgefield) 11, R Rodley (Morley) 8, C McEneany (Sedgefield) 8, R Johnson (Harrogate) 6, J Woods (Durham City) 5, A Preston (Morley) 5, P Rogers (Durham City) 5.

Results: Academy Championship 1989: Harrogate 9, Catterick 7; Sedgefield 10, Castleford 2; Durham City 10, Morley 3; Harrogate 3, Sedgefield 12; Durham 6, Catterick 3; Morley 4, Castleford 5; Harrogate 3, Durham 7; Sedgefield 12, Catterick 1; Harrogate 7, Castleford 3; Morley 9, Catterick 3; Durham 2, Sedgefield 9; Castleford 6, Catterick 9; Harrogate 7, Morley 3; Durham 9, Castleford 5.

* Durham Amateur Swimming and Water Polo Club is currently looking for volunteers to assist with coaching at its water polo sessions. Former players looking to give something back to the game would be particularly welcome and are asked to contact secretary David Mell on 0191 3843029.