A total of 35 entries have been received, with a total prize fund of £1,600.
]]> Group C includes Stockton's Billy Bousfield, paired up against two time English Amateur Champion Matthew Sutton, along with Phil Martin (Dublin) and Bruce Welham (Kings Lynn).Unfortunately for our 24-hour Liechtensteiners, and also for our very own Alpine hero, the principality went down 2-0 to Wales but what has perhaps been overlooked is the performance of our squad at Luton despite being ravaged by the international weekend.
]]> One man who played a vital role in the win at Kenilworth Road was Gregg Blundell. The now veteren striker grabbed an injury time winner to suggest that David Penney's side are finally coming to the table as far as the top clubs in League Two are concerned. After a stuttering start to the season, Quakers have picked up wins against Huddersfield and Luton along with a solid point against Shrewsbury in the last three games as the side appears to be settling with every game they play.Penney was indeed quick to praise the scouse hitman for his efforts this season, "He's been on a few times and makes a difference when he comes on as a sub," he told BBC Tees.
"He closes games and he's a threat when teams get tired with his pace."
It was most evident that the goal meant a lot to Blundell, who has struggled for both regular starts and goals since his arrival from Chester City in April 2007. A perhaps often under-rated member of the Darlington squad, Blundell's work ethic has never been in doubt and he could yet have a big say in the outcome of this season with both Liam Hatch and Billy Clarke only signed up until January.
To the week ahead and the games will not get any easier any time soon. Wycombe have enjoyed a flying start to the new campaign and currently top the League Two table under former England under-21 manager Peter Taylor. The trip to Adams Park is sure to be a tricky one but it would take a brave man to bet against a Darlington side who seem to be getting closer to recapturing last season's form with every passing game.
Following up the away clash with the Chairboys is our HUGE derby match for the 2008/09 season. In hushed groups across the country, people often get together talking about the most fierce rivalries our great game has to offer and very few of these discussions pass without a mention of the world reknowned Darlington-Bradford derby. Such is the magnitude of the occasion Sky television will be showing the game live.
Bradford, like Wycombe, have also enjoyed an impressive start to the season with Peter Thorne discovering the form of his life at the age of 35. It is sure to be a great game and if you are in the area, don't just settle for watching on tv, get yourself down to the Arena and take in a game.
It is the above comment that leads me to my final point of my first blog. With the financial plight of the nation at present, attendances at the Darlington Arena have not been too impressive this season but the club are looking to its current core of supporters to help bring in those who have perhaps strayed slightly. The October 25th home game against Dagenham & Redbridge has been made a family and friends day by the club with fans being encouraged to bring along people who are not necessarily regulars to sample the match day atmosphere. We often cricticise the club for lack of action so it is well worth backing the club on this initiative.
Many thanks for reading and i will be back with another Quaker View next week.
Dan Johnson
]]>
RYAN CLARK maintained his domination of the English junior billiards circuit recently, winning the second of this season's English Junior Ranking events down at Cambridge Snooker Centre.
The Hartlepool 16-year-old opened up his campaign with a 380-63 win over Joanne Davies.
Hartlepool pair Liam Clark and Christopher Dyer clashed, with Clark making a late break of 42 to win the game 251-237.
Redcar's Stuart Dexter went out in the opening round to Finlay Laing 279-209.
]]> In the quarters, brothers Ryan and Liam Clark clashed and a break of 48 sealed a 314-275 win for Ryan.He then defeated Nick Springham (Bury St Edmonds) 355-97 in the semis.
Ryan then knocked in efforts of 54, 53, 48, 38, 35 and 30 in an impressive performance in the final, beating Bruce Welham (Kings Lynn) 432-157.
Stuart Dexter picturedwon the plate event, beating Chris Hollands (King's Lynn) in the final.
NATIONAL SNOOKER
JUNIOR snooker players from around the north of England descended upon Hartlepool Snooker Centre last weekend, for the first of the EASB's regional junior tour events this season.
Group A included Ben Wanley, who was making his national debut.
He opened with a 2-1 win over Jamie Acs (Leeds), and followed this by defeating Jamie Gibson (Lancaster) 2-1.
He went down 3-0 to Richard Remelie but recovered to beat Joshua Green 2-1, Tom Purves 3-0 and top seed Thomas Wealthy 2-1.
This gave Ben second place in the group, and a place in the last 16.
Johnathon Buglass (Hartlepool) was the second seed and, with the advantage of home tables, made a great start by beating Niall Balmer 3-0. He went on to win all group games.
Neither Keith Kinnersley (Hartlepool) or Redcar's Nathan Hinchcliffe qualified to the knockout stage.
In Group E, Michael Williams was a strong favourite to make it out of the group and obliged by finishing in top spot.
In the last 16 stage, Buglass progressed thanks to the day's highest break (77).
Wanley and Williams failed to progress.
Buglass again won through to the semis and then the final, where he lost to Elliott Slessor.
]]>
Division 1
TITLE holders Redcar Unionists A got their defence off to a flying start by thumping Ennis Square A by 6-0.
Richard Beckham made 43 and 38 breaks and teammate Barry Chapman made a 46.
Newly promoted Hartlepool also made a great start by beating Lakes B by 5-1. Ryan Clark made 30 and 33 breaks and John Hartley made a 48.
Guisborough Quoit A travelled to top flight new boys Carlin How A and took all six points.
Redcar Cons B were 4-2 winners at home to newly promoted Lune St A.
Also winning 4-2 were Lakes A at home to New Marske Institute. Gary Beckett made excellent 65 and 51 breaks.
Guisborough Cons B were held 3-3 at home to Redcar Cons A. Kelvin Pickthall made a 30 break.
Division 2
RELEGATED Redcar Unionists B saw their hopes of a quick return to the top division suffer an early setback with a 1-5 home reverse at the hands of Ennis Square B.
Also relegated last term were Guisborough TA who now play from the Quoit Club as their B team. They got off to a flier winning 5-1 at home to Carlin How B.
Lakes C were 4-2 winners at home to Redcar Citz B, as were Redcar Citz A over Lakes D.
Marske A were beaten 4-2 at home to Guisborough Cons A. Lune St B also lost 4-2 at home by Marske B.
RICHARD Beckham and Barry Chapman are the new British Gas Teesside Snooker Pairs Champions.
The Redcar Unionists pair were in impressive form as they defeated Ormesby's Robin Wilson and Antony Parsons 3-0 in the Final.
The opening frame was a scrappy affair, with the Redcar duo winning a 40 minute battle 62-29.
]]> Beckham found his potting arm in frame two, with breaks of 52 and 43 helping them to a 95-4 victory. Beckham then wrapped up the third frame with a break of 38 to win it 70-22 and complete a one sided 3-0 victory. The win completes a fantastic season for the Unionists players, as their side won the team event, and Beckham won the Leo Robb Memorial Singles event last week.
National junior snooker
THE region's two top junior snooker players, Darren Cook and Ryan Clark, both had disappointing starts to the EASB Junior Premier Tour at Leicester.
The Tour, which includes the country's top 48 under-21 snooker players, leads to qualification to represent England, and also to events such as the World Under-21 and European Under-19 championships.
The Hartlepool duo, who both represent Blytheholme on a Thursday night, were paired in separate round robin groups of six, but despite the top four in each group going through to the last 32, neither player managed to qualify.
Darren won the opening frame against current English under-16 champion Sam Craigie (Newcastle), but Sam responded with a 63 in the next and went on to win 3-1.
Again Darren lost a 1-0 lead to go down 3-1 to Bedford's Darrell Whitworth, who made a 56 in the final frame, and he suffered a shock 3-0 defeat to Daniel Hildyard (Eastleigh).
Bolton's Thomas Pendlebury beat him 3-1, but he did manage to get one win under his belt, a 3-2 victory over Jake Nicholson (Flamborough), making a break of 54 in the process.
Ryan could do nothing in his opening game, as Gloucester's Michael Wasley made breaks of 115, 108 and 60 to win 3-0.
He lost a 1-0 lead to go down 3-1 to Liverpool's Danny McCann, who made a break of 60 in the final frame, and then went down 3-1 to Matthew Jelley (Leicester).
He defeated Mitchell Travis and Sam Thistlewhite (both Sheffield) 3-2 but had to settle for fifth place in the group.
The second event of the season takes place this weekend at Northern Snooker Centre in Leeds.
]]>Redcar got off to a fabulous start to the season with a 22-0 win against Acklam.
The Seasiders toiled in Yorkshire One last year but, repatriated to Durham and Northumberland One, they have rediscovered their level and are second in the early league table.
It was a cheery affair at Mackinlay Park and it was Ladies Day with lots of colour and a female referee to add to the scene.
]]> Matty Storey and Chris McRoberts were try scorers for resurgent Redcar and then centre James Allison crossed for the try of the match with a spectacular weaving run all the way from the halfway line.Outside half Richie Young accounted for the rest of the one-sided points tally with the boot.
He said post match: "The new laws give you much more space and time to do what you want."
Paul Coxon, Acklam coach, was gracious in defeat: "I have no problems with that. We were second best and with players coming back from injury, I am looking for more."
BILLINGHAM were delighted with their first experience in North Two East, winning away 26-15 at Carlisle in a bruising, hard hitting, fast-flowing game.
They were 15-7 down at the break but then turned on the gas to take control and take victory in a sizzling second half.
Billingham's young guns took time to settle at the new level but once they found their feet, they looked positively lethal in attack.
Try scorers were Paul Shepherd, Craig Shepherd, Andy Evans and Steve Wray while conversions came from Joe Evans and two from Peter Evans.
GUISBOROUGH went down 32-15 to Seaton Carew. Impressive winger Tom Nelson got all Guisborough points in a good shift for him but the Belmangate outfit did not get the explosive start to the season they wanted.
Backs coach Paul McCluskey was hard-hitting when he said: "It was very close but sadly we allowed them to win. If today's game is an illustration, then it's a pointless league."
A depleted MIDDLESBROUGH outfit travelled away to newly promoted West Hartlepool and lost 36-13.
Boro had to deal with several late call offs and were forced to field a disjointed side. They relied on scrum half Peter Wright to score a last minute try with two penalties from outside half Simon Moore who was then forced to withdrew at half time through injury. Callum Campbell grabbed a conversion.
On balance it was a far from auspicious start for the local senior team in what could shape up to be a very hard league.
STOCKTON travelled to Druid Park, the home of Gosforth to experience the plastic pitch - an innovation they have not welcomed.
By the break they had lost three men to injury and eventually went down 9-3 which hardly suggested a running game. Stockton's only points came from Jeremy Good.
YARM lost 26-12 at Bishop Auckland being completely out-rucked. Steve Gibson and Nathan Arulananthan were try scorers with a conversion by Reg Rowland.
]]>Scrum half Connor Foley was having his best game of rugby to date hassling Redcar's scrum half and distributing his own ball accurately.
New captain Will Hazleton marshaled the troops well and in the line-out won his fair share of ball in his first game involving lifting.
Boro opened the score with a well executed move from the lineout with centre Danny Robinson breaking through the gain lane to score under the posts.
Soon afterwards the forwards took control of a rolling maul and worked their way to the try line for prop Adam Mallick to score Boro's second.
For long periods of the second half Boro had to defend and they did so heroically with full back Liam Blenkinsop in particular making a string of big tackles.
Number eight, Alex Pederson, was unlucky not to be awarded a try after a strong drive from the back of a scrum but the referee was unsighted and did not see the grounding of the ball.
Man of the match was Liam Blenkinsop. Parents man of the match was Connor Foley.
Guisborough Under-16s were at home to Harrogate and looked a force to be reckoned with, taking the match 22-5.
Right from the start they were up for it, and it wasn't long before the unstoppable Mattie Storey was over for a try.
He soon crossed for another and then, just before half-time, blind-side flanker and team poacher Mitch Polson stole the next.
Zac McCluskey had spent his summer playing rugby league at Peterlee, which has bolstered his command of the game from pivot considerably.
He didn't cross in this one but Pierce Phillips did and it was only right at the end that they let the visitors grab a consolation score.
It was a good week for some of the lads with McCluskey, Phillips and Ross Edwards all receiving call-ups for Durham County, with Storey courting the postman for a letter from Yorkshire.
Josh Sonley grabbed the one Guisborough conversion.
]]>Guisborough Under-14s were away to the Yorkshire Cup Champions, Harrogate and won 50-7.
After only three minutes Ryan Daniels touched down in the corner.
Harrogate ran a penalty kick back at Guisborough but the pressure put on their back line by the visitors saw a Guisborough turn over at the ruck.
Quick ball through Joe Whyman out to centre, Ryan Daniels coming on at pace saw him crash through two tacklers and claim his second try under the posts.
Harrogate looked to capitalize on a failed set move by Guisborough as their winger set off down the touch line but the Guisborough hooker, John Hewson put in a masterful tackle on him just before the hosts sought their revenge.
It was their back row and skipper, Jack Barnard who seized the initiative, broke the defence down the blindside, before touching down underneath the posts to edge Harrogate back into the game.
Guisborough came out the blocks in the second half forcing the errors.
They managed to ruck the ball clear to the back line where Daniels took the crash ball but cleverly offloaded to his full back, David Wardell who beat the remaining tacklers at pace to touch down close to the posts.
A penalty saw the ball spread the full width of the pitch and eventually speedster James Fitzgibbon time to claim his first in the corner.
Naughton then kicked a speculative ball for Daniels to chase on the wing. The bounce was kind and Daniels kept the gas on to put down under the posts. Then James Fitzgibbon dived over for his second.
Next it was Ryan Daniels who came up at pace to rip the call in contact from Harrogate's last defender and claim his fourth try of the day.
Guisborough were too good on the day. In a final move of the game Wardell hoisted the ball for Robinson to chase from the centre. With the tackle made the ball was in open play for Bradley Naughton to pick and drive over sealing it all.
Conversions were slotted by Joe Whyman and James Fitzgibbon. Centre, Ryan Daniels was awarded man of the match.
Division One: BEADS FC 3 Stokesley SC 2, Darlington Rugby Club 3 Bedale FC 2, Guisb Quoit Club 4 Richmond Town 0, North Ormesby 2 Grangetown BC 1, Nunthorpe Ath 3 Darlington Cleveland 0, Thornaby Dubliners 2 Darlington RA Res 4.
Division Two: Coulby Newham 3 Teesside Ath 1, Scarborough Town v Coble Ennis Square - postponed.
Alex Burness Plate Group One: Redcar Rugby Club 7 Norton & Stockton Res 1.
]]>Ryan Clark is not going to give his title up easily though, and was in great form in beating Martin Pygott 200-55, with breaks of 75, 53 and 35. Pyggott made a 25.
Chris Dyer was made to work hard for his first win
of the season, but breaks of 25 and 20 helped him beat Ben Wanley 200-158, while a run of 23 from Michael Williams gave him a 200-100 victory over Keith
Kinnersley.
The only Division One game played this week saw Luke Blakey defeat Darion Cockrill 3-0 at snooker.
For full results and tables, visit www.freewebs.com/juniorcoaching
MARTIN Pygott made quick work of his snooker fixture with Ben Wanley last week, winning 3-0 in just 45 minutes.
Pygott, looking to improve on his third placed finish last season, never produced his best snooker.
In fact it was Ben who made the game's highest break, a 20, but when it mattered, at the end of the frame, it was Martin who potted the important balls, giving him his first win of the season.
]]> Michael Williams knocked in breaks of 48 and 33 in recording a 3-0 win over Cameron O'Connor, who himself made a break of 30 during the match.Johnathon Buglass is top of the league at this early stage, although he was made to work hard against Keith Kinnersley.
Keith took the opening frame, but Jonny responded with breaks of 36, 27, 24, 22 and 20 to win the match 3-1.
At billiards, Michael Williams was a 200-146 winner against Martin Pygott, making breaks of 25 and 22.
DIVISION ONE
AFTER ending his debut season in the league without a single victory last year, Billingham's Jack Dixon is finally off the mark, thanks to a 2-1 snooker win over Bradley Osborne.
In a battle of two cousins, it was Sam Higgins who moved into pole position in the league, with a 3-0 win over Tom Higgins.
At billiards, Liam Clark made breaks of 34 and 21 to beat Darion Cockrill 100-17, while Sam Higgins beat Bradley Osborne 100-32.
The event in the town's Centre Square marked the official hand-over for the 2012 London games with a variety of sports and activities taking place.
And a basketball tournament, organised by Game Time and Teesside Basketball League, attracted large numbers of spectators.
More than 50 players competed in the two-a-side tournament, which was split into three categories - Under-12, Under-16 and Over-16.
The Under-12 tournament showcased some of Teesside's brightest young basketball talent.
It was the Cobras and Tees Thunder who met in the final, with brothers, Youssef and Ahmed Badi of the Cobras edging themselves to a win over Cameron Clark and Lauren Bewick.
The final was won 6-3 after the Cobras came from 3-0 down to win the game.
The Under-16 category was probably the most exciting of the three groups as a host of very talented youngsters displayed their skills on court.
The Bulls did well with Liam McBride proving a formidable defensive presence, although they failed to make the final after being beaten by the eventual winners - The O'Connors.
The brother-sister duo of Patrick and Christina brushed aside good quality opponents to earn their place in the final and came up against the star-
studded 'DJ Marshall' team with Marshall Patterson, Dan Brown and Jordan Nicholls.
With the bonus of a sub and being the older team, the advantage looked to be with DJ Marshall, however 12-year-old Patrick O'Connor stepped up again and again with some great plays. And it was Patrick's audacious one-handed basket from 15ft, which sealed a 9-7 win.
The Over-16 category was filled with passion with each team desperate to make the final.
The teams to watch included Hartlepool, with the talented Luke Thompson and Steve Harrington, Pathological Liars made-up of Damian Warriner, Matthew Norman and Chris Lyle, and the High & Mighty with 6'10" Andrew Marshall and 7'1" Dean Hanson.
In the heated final, between Pathological Liars and the High & Mighty, passion was overflowing as tempers reached boiling point with both teams desperate to win.
The strength of Damian Warriner made for a difficult task, but the High & Mighty still managed to dominate as both Hanson and Marshall played to their strengths and focused on powering their way to the basket - a tactic that had led them to the final and to this point no player had been able to stop.
Warriner used his athleticism to good effect however, and clawed his team back into the game with a succession of nice shots. But it wasn't enough as the High & Mighty hit three baskets without reply to win the final 11-6.
"It was a fantastic day," Game Time's James Thomson said. "We had less than two weeks to organise it but I think everyone did a good job. The standard was very, very good and hopefully it will become an annual event."
Game Time's own team Middlesbrough Lions are holding open trials at Macmillan Academy on September 6 for players for their National League Under-15 side.
All are welcome to attend regardless of their ability or experience - particularly tall players! The club are also looking for female players of all ages.
For more information call 01642 814 221 or visit www.game-time.co.uk
Dormans closed the gap on the leaders with a battling 3-1 win over a resolute Dockside.
It was an even first half with the teams level at 1-1, Povey scoring for Dockside. Dormans' scorer was Graham Morton.
In the second half Dormans hit two more goals through Glyn Easton and Di Carlo to seal victory.
With 20 minutes to go, Yarm brought on substitute Dave Portas, which seemed to lift Yarm, who finally equalised when a penalty was dispatched by Glen Kyle.
In a dramatic last five minutes, Yarm snatched the winner.
The two bottom clubs in division two met at Stockton and it was Yarm who came out on top with a 4-1 win against George and Dragon.
George and Dragon scored first with an own goal after two minutes, but Yarm then took control and scored four times with goals from Will Taylor, 2, and Mark Addison, 2.
ASW ended Castle Construction's hopes of reaching the Ian Ramsey Trophy semi-finals by recording a 4-2 win, which put them top of their group.
Goals for the Steelies came from Darren Raulston, 2, John Putson and Paul Burns. The Steelies now meet Grangetown Boys Club.
Dormans play South Park in the other Ian Ramsey Trophy semi-final.
Redcar Rugby stormed into the semi-finals of the George Dolan Trophy with a close 4-3 win over a strong Stockton Town side.
Iceton and White put Redcar ahead in two goalmouth scrambles, but in the second half Stockton scored twice in the first 10 minutes.
Rugby Club responded with two well-taken goals when Jones crossed for White to fire in his second and then Stockton's keeper made a great save, but the rebound fell to Lince who smashed in the loose ball.
Stockton set up a nail-biter when they scored a third with 10 minutes to go, but Rugby Club held on to play Dormanstown in the semi-final.
Coronation qualified for the semi-finals with a hard-earned win over St Mary's OB 3-2 and set up a semi-final against Whale Hill.
Eddie Johnson scored twice for St Mary's. The other semi-final will be between Redcar and Dormanstown.
Results: Ian Ramsey Trophy: ASW 4 (C Roulston 2, Putson, Burns), Castle 2.
George Dolan Trophy: Coronation 3, St Mary's OB 2 (Johnson 2); Rugby Club 4 (Iceton, White 2, Ince), Stockton 3.
Division One: ASW 5, Nunthorpe 1; Dockside 1 (Povey), Dormans 3 (Di Carlo, Morton, Easton); Nunthorpe 5 (Hyde 3, Surplus 2), Grangetown BC 4.
Division Two: Castle Cons 2, Normanby 2; George & Dragon 1, Yarm B 4 (Taylor 2, Addison 2); Normanby 1 (Wilkinson), Yarm B 2 (Kyle, Portas); Great Ayton 1, Dormanstown 3; NETC 0, Dormanstown 8.
But for New Marske FC Under-10 B the dream became a reality during the McDonald's Football Festival.
Following a tournament organised by the North Riding County Football Association, the top six teams were entered into a draw to win a place in the Wembley tournament.
Every regional football association could send a club to the iconic venue. And New Marske were the lucky lads to hear London calling from Teesside.
Match day for the lads was Monday, August 11, and while most of the tournament took place at Northwick Park on the outskirts of Wembley, every team got to play at least one game on the famous Wembley pitch.
Matches ran from 10am until 2pm, then the New Marske lads were bussed to Wembley for their big game.
Simon Whitwell, team manager, said: "Our bus pulled up outside and the team were guided in the same way as Manchester United were the previous day.
"We stood in the tunnel and waited until we were told to walk out, then out we came to photographers taking loads of photos just like the pros. They even had crowds roaring from the speakers."
Following their big entrance, the team had a photograph taken with Sir Geoff Hurst.
They then took part in a 15-minute game against another junior side, Meadow Minnows, on the famous pitch.
New Marske were the victors, winning 3-0.
Simon added: "The whole squad all played at some time during the game.
"Then they went up the royal steps to the royal box to be given their medals with lots more cameras clicking away.
"It was truly an amazing day and a great experience that the lads will never forget."
A spokesman for McDonald's said: "It was all part of McDonald's Community Shield and our ongoing commitment to our communities and to healthy living.
"On the final day of the Football Festival 900 children took to the Wembley pitch.
"The weekend was a great success."
]]>