The Darlington Motor Factors second Division Cup semi finals were the highlight of the days action - although there were no surprise winners at the end of the day.

Hurworth Albion and Shuttle & Loom - two newly promoted teams - won their respective semi-finals as expected.

Shuttle & Loom, playing some terrific football, cruised past Bishop Auckland Cricket Club 4-0 in a game that they completely dominated from start to finish. Meanwhile, Hurworth made the best of some dreadful conditions and a very heavy pitch to ease past Bishop Auckland Derby 7-3. The Albion took an early lead through Neil Bell, only for The Derby to reply shortly after with a surprise goal. Albion are on a hot streak at the moment, and it was no surprise when Johnathon Bell and Mark Keanon both found the back of the net before half time to make the score 3-1.

The Derby had Albion on the ropes as they brought the score back to 3-3, but Hurworth's class told through, as Neil Bell instantly reinstated their lead.

Bad then went to worse for The Derby, as Johnathon Bell notched his second of the game before Richard Hill bagged a brace and late substitute Kelvin Russell rounded things off with Hurworth's seventh.

Controversy reigned in Division One, however, as league leaders Coundon Forresters pulled out of their game with East End WMC after a dispute over the venue. In accordance with league rules, this led to them instantly being deducted three points, and suddenly the favourites for the title found themselves falling dramatically to sixth place.

Meanwhile, Spraire RA took full advantage of the situation as they moved to the top of the table with a crushing 10-1 victory over struggling Springfield, and Nestfield Club - this season's surprise package - moved into second with a hugely impressive 3-2 victory over Newton Aycliffe Sports Club.

Both teams provided some excellent football, despite the testing conditions, but in the end Nestfield's fighting spirit shone through, with the help of some exceptional goalkeeping from man of the match Andrew Naisbett. Nestfield opened the scoring through Lee Jenkinson, only for Wayne Anderson to bring the scores level, before Arron Robson turned the game on its head as he gave Aycliffe the lead. Nestfield weren't to be denied, however, and a terrific double strike from Mark Cockburn saw them pick up their most impressive scalp of the season.

Elsewhere, The Northern Echo moved into third place - only separated from the top two by goal difference - as they defeated Team Scania in a ten goal thriller. Man of the match Darren Stanley ran the game for the Echo, scoring a first class goal as well as making one for Graham Pepper with a free-kick straight from the training ground. The in-form Graham Bartlett also notched for the Echo, while John Neilson scored his first of the season before Craig Maddison's fine effort made the points safe for the Echo. The excellent Michael Carter bagged a brace for Scania, with Lee Hammond and Martin Smith grabbing one apiece, but it wasn't enough to halt the Echo's fine run of form.

In the remaining first division games, Speedwell beat Brinkburn 5-2, whilst Hoppers Transport picked up a vital three points as they defeated Green Dragon 5-3. Andy Thompson (2), Peter Young (2) and Mike Smith all hit the target for Hoppers, whilst Marshall (2) and Bainbridge hit the mark for The Dragon, who slump to the bottom of the division after this result.

Division Three saw the only weather enforced postponement of the day, and as fate would have it, it was the game between the division's top two sides - Canney Hill Athletic and AFC Orange - that succumbed to the elements.

However, that postponement did allow Yates's Wine Lodge to close the gap on the top two as they continue their push for promotion. They took an early lead against Biglins News as Chris Easby rose to nod home a free-kick, and it was a set piece that led to them extending their lead as Matt Waistell beat the Biglins keeper to make the score 2-0.

Chris Chadwick continued his good run of form as he made the score 3-0 before half time, and, although they had the better of the second half, there was

no way back for Biglins. However, they did have some hope as Carroll converted a dubious penalty, but the Lodgers defence remained solid as they cruised to a 3-1 victory.

Royal British Legion also kept on the pressure at the top of the league, but they made hard work of gaining all three points against a struggling Faverdale side, finally winning 4-3 thanks to goals from Michael Meredith (2), Trevor Cooke and Paul Barber.

Pizza Perfekt also continue to rise up the table, as they beat claimed all three points from their game against The Falchion. Perfekt took the lead when Carl Batty converted Paul Hope's first half corner, but the goal brought some better play from the Falchion, and Mark Hoggath's chip made the half-time score 1-1. However, a change of strikers in the second half by Perfekt saw them reap the reward, as Ian Caygill, returning from an injury lay-off, notched a half-time hat-trick to give the Pizzaboyz a 4-1 lead. Mike Clayton slotted home a penalty for The Falchion, but they struggled to make any further in-roads into Perfekt's back four as the game finished 4-2.

In the remaining third division games, Newton Cap beat AXA Insurance 6-0, whilst goals from Noddings (2), Martin and Welsh gave Nestfield Seconds a deserved 5-0 victory over a Hogans side that remain bottom of the league.

l A reminder to all secretaries that there is a league meeting on Sunday (1pm) at the RA Ground, Brinkburn Road.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Spraire RA 6 5 1 0 39 8 16

Nestfield Club 8 5 1 2 27 21 16

The Northern Echo 8 5 1 2 28 28 16 Speedwell 8 4 0 4 30 20 12

Newton Aycliffe SC 6 3 2 1 16 8 11

**Coundon Foresters 6 4 1 1 30 8 10

East End WMC 5 3 0 2 22 11 9

Brinkburn 7 2 1 4 26 24 7

Team Scania 7 2 0 5 21 51 6 -Hoppers Transport 8 1 2 5 17 39 5 -** Springfield 8 2 1 5 19 35 4 -Green Dragon 7 1 0 6 16 38 3 -**Denotes three points deducted

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Hurworth Albion 7 6 0 1 38 6 18

Jack Horners 6 5 0 1 26 4 15

All Stars 6 4 0 2 43 11 12

Copper Beech Dcs 8 4 0 4 25 22 12

BA Cricket Club 4 3 0 1 18 6 9

BA The Derby 6 3 0 3 29 17 9

Shuttle & Loom 4 3 0 1 10 6 9

Sadberge 6 3 0 3 20 17 9

Greyhound 7 2 0 5 19 33 6 -Northern Spirit 6 0 0 6 4 27 0 -Smith & Allan 6 0 0 6 6 89 0 Division Three

P W D L F A Pts

Canney Hill Athletic 8 7 0 1 37 8 21

AFC Orange 7 7 0 0 34 5 21

Yates Wine Lodge 9 7 0 2 34 17 21

Royal British Legion 8 6 2 0 38 16 20

Pizza Perfekt 9 4 1 4 34 26 13

Nestfield Seconds 8 3 2 3 21 20 11

Biglins News 8 3 1 4 24 19 10 Newton Cap 8 3 1 4 23 39 10

Faverdale 9 3 0 6 25 33 9 -AXA Insurance 8 2 0 6 16 30 6 -The Falchion 9 1 1 7 18 37 4 -Hogans 9 0 0 9 8 62 0

Hathaway Auckland and District League

Cockfield increased their lead at the top of the table after a 4-1 win over DSRM. After an even first half the scores were level at the interval. Anthony McMasters opened the scoring for DSRM with David Bainbridge equalising for Cockfield. In the second half Cockfield got on top and added further goals from Steven Rogers, Kevin Peairs and David Kemp-Ambler.

In the only other league game played, Brandon Station consolidated third place with a 3-0 win over Cleveland Bridge. Steven Graham scored all their goals in the first half.

Weardale Cup

Holders Quinns Inn went out of the competition, beaten 3-1 by Bishop Auckland Rugby Club. Phil White was their goalscorer. In the same Competition, both Black and Decker and Coxhoe Athletic had wins. Black and Decker were too strong for Stanhope Town and ran out easy 9-2 winners, with goals from Paul Harnett (3), David Torr (2), Paul Franey (2), Steven Baker and Derek Cooper.

Coxhoe got off to a good start in their game against Crook Town Wanderers, and led 3-0 at half-time, with goals from Gary Mullen, John Parnaby and Paul Weir.

In the second half Crook Wanderers pulled the score back to 3-2, but a late goal from John Parnaby made sure of a place in the next round for Coxhoe