Disappointed Jonathan Lupton is determined to finish his amateur career on a high - by strengthening Yorkshire's position at the top of the EGU Northern Counties League against Durham at Ramside today.

Lupton, from Yarm, was a surprise omission from the Great Britain and Ireland squad, bidding for a record third successive win over their American counterparts at Ganton on September 6-7.

After lengthy discussions with his coach Peter Cowan, the 24-year-old Teessider has decided to put his Walker Cup woes him behind him and turn professional within the next couple of weeks.

And Brabazon Trophy winner Lupton sees victory over fourth-placed Durham today as the perfect send-off to a distinguished amateur career.

However, the England international is more than wary of the stiff challenge posed by an improving Durham side to the leaders.

"It certainly is not going to be easy," he said. "Durham are a good side and are on home soil. We will be the favourites but I think some of the Yorkshire team have never played at the Ramside and I've only played their once, so it is going to be tough.

"The important thing is to get off to a good start. The six foursomes matches in the morning are pivotal to the outcome of the match and we desperately need to beat Durham to set up a championship decider against the Lancastrians at Pleasington at the end of the month."

Yorkshire will be without Lupton's Middlesbrough Brass Castle stablemate Michael Skelton, who is currently in Helsinki competing in the Finnish Open.

Skelton was awarded a place in the Walker Cup team on Sunday following his appearance in the final of the English Amateur championship at Alwoodley, Leeds, last week.

However, Lupton believes close friend Skelton has more than justified his place and insists there is no bitterness.

"He will improve the team. He has the confidence in his own game to do really well at Ganton," said Lupton.

"I am pleased for him. We spoke to each other on Sunday and he was as surprised as any that I wasn't in the team. It's disappointing but I am sure I will get over it."

Meanwhile, Durham captain Ted Kirtley has included exciting teenager Ricky Lee in his line-up as his squad today bids to bounce back from their narrow 9-8 defeat to Lancashire at Wynyard against the championship leaders.

And Kirtley will be hoping that the Ryton teenager can perform the same heroics he did on his Durham debut against title-holders Cumbria at Carlisle, when his 'miracle' shot on the 16th swung the match in the visitors' favour.

Taking full advantage of the match being played on home soil Kirtley has also included Ramside duo Ian Parnaby and Steven Dance.

The Durham team to play Yorkshire at Ramside Golf Club tomorrow: Ian Parnaby (The Ramside); Steven Dance (The Ramside); Hugh Hamilton (Seaton Carew); James Harper (Seaton Carew); David Vest (Wearside); Daniel Hair (Wearside); Michael Curry (Brancepeth Castle); Graeme Marchbank (Durham City); Ricky Lee (Ryton); Mark Ridley (Consett); Robert Dinwiddie (Barnard Castle); Bryan Ross (Heworth)

Yorkshire: D Berry, A Bradley, G Clark, C Clarke, R Hollins, F Kelley, A King, J Lupton (Middlesbrough), J Mason, L Shepherd, S Uzzell and R Wheatley.

* Daniel Shevill of Stocksfield is one of the favourites to win the Reid Trophy on Thursday at Porters Park, Herfordshire.

Shevill, who has already claimed a national title when he won the Scottish Boys Under-14 Open strokeplay championship by a stroke at Helensburgh last month, lines up against over 100 of the best young golfers from across Europe bidding to get their first foot on the ladder.

* Walker Cup debutant Michael Skelton has been named in the England squad for the Home Internationals at Ballybunion on September 17-19. He is joined by former Durham County champion Richard Walker.

* A dramatic late surge by Eaglescliffe handed the Teesside club the coveted Durham County Clubs Championship at Billingham.

The reigning Teesside and District Union champions came out of the chasing pack to pip early leaders Brancepeth Castle by three shots and now go through to the English Club championship at King's Lynn next month.

After barely being in the title frame after the first round with a disappointing score of 222, the three-man team of J Winn, R Riley and E Waller led a second-round fightback that took everyone by surprise.

Not least Brancepeth, who after Michael Curry's course record-equalling first-round 64 looked on course to take the honours.

The first round saw Brancepeth share the lead with Houghton-le-Spring on 212. But after Houghton faded in the second round to 226, the Castle looked the likely victors only to be overtaken at the last by Eaglescliffe, who scored a second round total of 209.

Robert Dinwiddie of Barnard Castle recorded the best individual score, almost matching his first-round 65 with a second- round 67.

Scores: 431 Eaglescliffe (I Winn 72 72, R Riley 73 69, E Waller 77 70), 434 Brancepeth Castle (M Curry 64 73, HG Cooper 75 73, A Bryce 73 76), 438 Seaton Carew (H Hamilton 75 70, J Harper 71 70, I Hendry 76 76), 438 Houghton-le-Spring (D Machin 70 78, G Dixon 70 72, G Willis 72 76), 443 Castle Eden, Bishop Auckland, Billingham, 444 Durham City, Barnard Castle, 449 Heworth, 450 Whickham.