IN the showpiece event of the weekend Coundon Miners Arms seal a league and cup double.

Although they lost 2-1 to nearest rivals Spraire yesterday week, the championship had already been won.

Match referee Paul Wigham, on behalf of the league management committee, presented the championship trophy to the elated Coundon team after the game.

Then on Sunday they completed the double with a 2-1 victory over Newton Aycliffe Sports Club in the final of the Darlington and Stockton Times First Division Cup final.

Coundon lead 1-0 at half time through a Darren Wilson goal and doubled the lead midway through the second period with Rob Mazur finishing off an excellent team move. Aycliffe pulled a goal back in the closing stages but Coundon hung on for a thoroughly deserved victory.

Scorers in Busters 6-3 victory over Team Scania were Stuart Cottam with three and one each from Nigel Weller, Anth Gavriel and Jimmy Francis. Andy Kelly, F Kerins and Mark Finn scored for Scania.

Meanwhile, Spraire finished their season off with a rousing 5-0 victory over Springfield to secure the runners-up spot in the top division. Some excellent finishing from Richie Hindle saw the former Jack Horners striker hit four goals against an under-strength Springfield side, while Mark Brooks completed the scoring for Spraire.

Elsewhere in Division One, Busters beat Team Scania 6-3 and Stooperdale RA beat Brinkburn 4-1 in their relegation tussle. Brinkburn carried a 1-0 lead into the break, but Steve Minns chose the perfect time to score his first goal of the season, as his scrambled effort brought the two sides level, and helped to settle Stooperdale nerves. Stooperdale then took control of the match, with Anth Thorns and Jimmy Morris both getting on the scoresheet, the latter scoring a superb solo goal to seal the Brinkburn's fate.

In the only game in Division Two the Green Dragon could have clinched automatic promotion had they won against Greyhound but they drew 2-2.

However, Sadberge were condemned to a another season of Second Division football when they were defeated 4-1 by Northern Spirit RA last night, thus promoting Green Dragon to the top-flight.

RA's scorers were Neil Pinkney, Mike Gatenby (2) and Simon York whose clearance from 60 yards flew in to the net. Man of the match was David Tushnick.

In Division Three, The Falchion finally scored their first point of the season with a hard-fought draw against Brown Trout. The Falchion took an early lead when Mal Hardy converted Danny Taylor's pass, but Trout equalised midway through the first-half with a brilliant 30-yard lob from John Bicknell. The Trout took the lead at the start of the second period through Terry Jenkinson but as they pressed for another goal The Falchion grabbed an equaliser as Mal Hardy turned provider for Danny Taylor, who hit a fine goal from just inside the penalty area.

The shock of the day was in the second round of the league cup, as AFC Orange of Division Three toppled First Division Northern Echo 3-0. Orange started the game much the brighter and deservedly took a 1-0 lead as Kevin Kokes lobbed the Echo keeper after a fine ball from Danny Ofuso who was then involved in the second as he was brought down by the Echo keeper for a penalty which was converted by man of the match Martin Allinson. The second goal spurred the Echo but they appeared to lack invention and were restricted to long-range shots.

However, they pushed hard in the second-half, hitting the bar and having an effort cleared off the line before Kev Kokes struck a third on the break to end the Echo's hopes of silverware this season.

Elsewhere in the cup, Hoppers Transport received a bye into the third round as their opponents Royal British Legion were unable to field a side and Newton Cap got a taste of how difficult life in Division Three may be next season, beaten 5-0 by Hurworth Albion.

In one of the ties of the round, East End Club beat Shuttle and Loom 3-1. The Shuttle, buoyant from gaining promotion to Division Two, dominated for long stretches of the game, on a day when both goalkeepers were in outstanding form.

However, it was East End who were the more lethal in front of goal, as Steve Johnson (2) and Darren Winfield struck their goals. David Arrowsmith netted for the Shuttle, but they were left to rue missed opportunities, as they failed with two penalties.

In the remaining cup tie, Copper Beech DCS defeated Sadberge. The sides went into the break all square - largely thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Copper Beech's Dave Hodgson.

However, Matty Collinson gave a rejuvenated Copper Beech the lead early in the second-half, as he found the back of the net directly from a corner and then doubled their lead with 15 minutes to go, despite a barrage of Sadberge pressure. Sadberge did manage to pull a goal back through Phil Heathwaite, but it was to be Collinson's day, as he completed his hat-trick in the final minute to give Copper Beech the 3-1 win.

Darlington and District League

NEWTON Aycliffe took a giant step towards the championship when they beat close rivals Cleveland Bridge 2-0 on Wednesday week. In a fast and furious game, where no quarter was asked or given, neither side wasted many chances in the first half.

Marc Addy struck a post with a free-kick for Aycliffe and the impressive Danny Richmond rifled a shot into the side netting. The deadlock was broken in the 55th minute when Dave Fawcett broke clear and hit a great shot off the foot of a post and Lee Robinson reacted quickest to the rebound, side-footing home from 15 yards.

Bridge pressed hard for an equaliser, but only succeeded in missing a number of chances through over exuberance and the Aycliffe defence stood firm. With five minutes remaining Robinson latched on to a long ball out of defence and hit his second to put his side in pole.

The following night, Newton Aycliffe met RA Social in the final of the League Challenge Cup at Feethams. RA had a great chance to take the lead after only four minutes but Steven Boyle's shot was well saved by Paul Hawman. Aycliffe went ahead in the 26th minute when Craig Barrigan headed home Steven Moran's well flighted free-kick and increased their lead four minutes before half-time when Morgan Fielding burst into the box and his left-foot shot found the bottom corner.

A dejected RA bounced back almost immediately when Nigel Clarke rose unchallenged at the near post to head home a corner. Within ten minutes of the restart Steve Moran found himself clear in the box and he scored early to restore Aycliffe's two-goal lead.

RA Social kept pegging away and were rewarded when Peter Gormley latched on to a through ball and lifted the ball over the advancing keeper from the left hand corner of the box. With 20 minutes to go Aycliffe were reduced to ten men when David Fawcett was sent off for two bookable offences. Aycliffe decided to try and hold on to their lead and pulled every man back but unfortunately, RA were unable to capitalise on their numerical superiority and few chances were wasted leaving Aycliffe 3-2 victors.

The previous evening and in an effort to conserve their energies RA Social rested several key players but were still too strong for Spraire and won 5-2. Danny Maddams (2), Andrew Wedgewood, Barry Foster and Mark Armstrong scored for RA. Stephen Shaw and Liam Coleman replied.

East End WMC kept alive their outside hopes of the championship with a 5-3 win at Shuttle and Loom. Steven Johnson (2), Roy Winter, Mark Maddison and Jimmy Francis their scorers.

On Saturday, the top three teams all won - Newton Aycliffe 4-1 at home to Post Boy and Cleveland Bridge and East End WMC by 4-2 away to Cricketers Hotel and Spraire respectively.

A mix-up resulted in RA Social and Rothmans played without a qualified referee and it was to both teams credit that the players kept their heads and produced an enjoyable encounter. Second half goals from Barry Foster and substitute Dannny Maddams gave RA a 2-0 win.

In a typical end-of-season game played on a rock hard pitch and on a boiling hot day both Speedy Hire and Hole in the Wall gave lack lustre performances. Speedy Hire produced three well-taken goals from James Turbitt, Pahil Nnorth and Darren Watson to give their side a 3-2 win. However, for the second week running Darren Thompson managed an own goal and give his teammates the jitters.

Crook and District League

THE league title looks unlikely to be settled until the final match of the season between Crook Wanderers and Willington Cottles.

Wayne Fleming notched a hat-trick for Cottles who beat Byers Green St Peters 3-1. Edward Sharpe junior replied. Cottles followed up with a 3-2 victory over Howden Australian who twice led through Michael Lee and John Dent. Goals from Chris Todd and Ian Britton made it 2-2 before Wayne Fleming's 85th minute winner which puts Willington three points clear at the top.

Crook Wanderers had a 6-1 win in the derby with White Swan. Wanderers have two games left and need two wins to keep their title hopes alive.

Billy Row completed their fixtures with a 3-1 win at Wearhead who will end the season in bottom place.

l The Albert Vickers Cup final between Stanhope and Billy Row is being played on Sunday at Crook Town's Millfield ground (kick-off 12 noon)