Kris bliss as Rae secures Durham County Championship

The Tyneside member finished with a four-round total of 285, just one over par, posting 71 and 74 on Saturday before securing victory with a pair of 70s yesterday.

Seaton Carew’s Cameron Wallace finished as runner-up on 288, with Juan Miguel Heredia (Brancepeth Castle) third on 290.

Wearside’s two-time former winner, Richard Walker, had gone into the competition in fine fettle after leading the qualification at Hartlepool last weekend.

He was fourth, carding an opening 69 before adding rounds of 73, 74 and 75 for a seven-over par total of 291. Former winner Martin McCririck was level with Walker, with the South Shields member firing rounds of 70, 71, 74 and 76.

Wearside’s David Vest ended in seventh place on eight over par, level with defending champion Richard Aisbitt. Vest was consistent throughout the weekend, with rounds of 73, 72, 75 and 72.

Castle Eden had Stuart Brown eighth on 295, with Boldon pair Rhys Thompson and Gavin Nesbit level in joint 10th place after 299 totals.

Boldon also had Andrew McCarrick in joint 12th (300), while Wearside’s Howard Walton posted a 71 in his 301 total for 14th place.