Sunderland made the ideal start when an early short corner was fired at the Richmond goal by Chris Brown and Dan Thwaite touched the ball past the keeper.

Richmond soon levelled with a well-struck short corner of their own, but Sunderland grew in confidence as the game went on and deservedly regained the lead when Nick Campbell applied a neat reverse stick finish from close range after the keeper could only deflect a powerful
Matt Dench shot into the forward's path.

But the Yorkshire club rallied to level with another short corner.
Sunderland had the better of the second half, with Neil Sparrowhawk in imperious form in the centre, keeping Richmond at bay and setting up a series of threatening attacks.

Richmond defended well to deny Sunderland clear-cut chances, so the draw was probably the right result, though the Ashbrooke men could well have won had they defended better at short corners.

Sunderland are third bottom, two points clear of bottom club Stockton thirds, who visit the Raich Carter Centre on Saturday (1pm).

In Division Two, Sunderland seconds missed some key players, including captain Andrew Wilkinson, for their 2-1 defeat to Durham City seconds.

City netted the opener on the break after a Sunderland penalty corner broke down and doubled their lead before Mark Wilkinson scored Sunderland's consolation.

This week, the seconds visit Darlington I (noon).

Sunderland thirds were well beaten, 6-0 by high-flying Norton seconds in Division Four.

Sunderland enjoyed a bright start, but two quickfire goals put them on the back foot and they did not even force a short corner such was Norton's dominance.

Yet James Magog impressed in defence, while Tom Grant stood out in midfield. On Saturday, the thirds entertain Stockton fifths at the Raich Carter Centre (2.30pm).

Sunderland IV, beaten 9-3 to North Shields thirds last week, look for better times in Saturday's visit of Newcastle Medics III (11.30am).

In the England Hockey League's Conference North, Durham University I had their last scheduled game before the winter break postponed at Sheffield Hallam Civica.

Sunderland I (home to Stockton III, meet noon, start 1pm): Nemo, A Jackson, S Crute, N Holmes, N Sparrowhawk, N Campbell, A Wilson, P Strong, D Thwaite, C Brown, A Brown

Sunderland II (away to Darlington, meet 10.30, start noon): A Foley, T Brown, S Shabila, T Barber, G Pearson, C Vaughan, J Pearson, A Wilkinson, S Evans, P Billyard, M Wilkinson, C Togher

Sunderland III (home to Stockton V, meet 2.0, start 2.30): A Merton-Smith, M Brown, S Liddle, J Magog, T Grant, J Emmerson, J Raine, J Clement, R Scheu, I McGinley, S Douglas, E Matters, G Looker

Sunderland IV (home to Newcastle Medics III, meet 11.0, start 11.30): A Thompson, C Maughan, J Argile, M Dixon, M Foley, G Townson, M Pell, N Plunkett, R Allchin, J Allan, G Johnston, J Bibby, D Laing, S Kettley, E Winship