DURHAM and Cleveland's over 45 veterans men's team have proved themselves one of the top four counties in the country after reaching the premier division play-offs in the inter-county championships for the first time.

Brian Graham, Dave Lumsdon, Tom Taylor, Rob Thompson and Norman Turnbull finished second to Yorkshire in the recent stage one contests and will compete in the play-off next March.

Yorkshire were dominant, though No 1 Lumsdon beat his opposite number in the 4-1 defeat.

But an unexpected win against Warwickshire put Durham and Cleveland in second place. Hertfordshire were unable to play.

Match details. - Durham and Cleveland 1 Yorkshire 4: Dave Lumsdon beat R Robinson 9-2 9-4 8-10 9-6, Norman Turnbull lost to R Mosley 3-9 6-9 4-9, Tom Taylor lost to I Parke 2-9 2-9 5-9, Rob Thompson lost to B Parkinson 10-8 0-9 4-9 1-9, Brian Graham lost to M Thompson 2-9 4-9 2-9.

Durham and Cleveland 3 Warwicks 2: Dave Lumsdon beat G Redfearn 9-7 9-5 9-2, Norman Turnbull lost to A Kavanagh 6-9 5-9 2-9, Tom Taylor lost to G Irwin 9-1 1-9 2-9 1-9, Rob Thompson beat B Alder 6-9 2-9 9-1 9-3, Brian Graham beat T Howarth 9-5 8-10 9-2 2-9 9-7.

Placings: Yorkshire 37pts, Durham and Cleveland 19, Warwickshire 14, Hertfordshire withdrew.