Durham Sunday League: Pelton RAOB claim cup double, with final wins over Houghton Town and East Rainton, and they can make it a hat-trick tonight

Buffs won the Ramside Hall Hotel Cup-Winners’ Cup with a 3-1 midweek victory over Houghton Town at New Ferens Park.

Kevin Dixon set up Chris Winn to slot home the opener from 10 yards, but Town quickly levelled when Jack Mitchell was left unmarked to head home Rob Thompson’s corner.

Pelton restored their lead three minutes into the second half, as Winn’s effort wickedly deflected over keeper Niki Lawson’s head.

Daniel McGuire threatened another leveller, but a fine Dixon effort sealed Pelton’s win.

Pelton also lifted the Durham Sport League Cup last Friday, thanks to a 3-2 defeat of East Rainton, who endured an incredible run of 19 games in the final four weeks of the campaign.

Michael Mackay drove home Buffs’ opener, but Ryan Shaw equalised, nodding home a corner.

Buffs’ response was immediate as Mackay fired in a stunning strike for 2-1, Rainton again levelled, when Lee Gaunt shooting home form the edge of the box.

Five minutes from time, Buffs won it when a long free-kick was headed home by the unmarked Andrew Soulsby, leaving keeper Dean Caris helpless.

Olly Hotchkiss’s men can look back on pride on a season which has brought the Second Division title and two domestic cups.

Pelton have another final tonight when they take on Gateshead Sunday League outfit Belle Vue in the North West Durham Charity Cup final at Birtley Sports Complex (7pm).

Durham County clinched the Division One title in style, pipping Burnside WMC by a point in a goal-laden final day.

County did what they needed to do, picking up all three points with a 7-2 home success against Sacriston WMC.

Alex Hird led the way with a clinical hat-trick, backed by Jack Carr (2), Chris Brown and Robson Brown, with Ben Reed starring.

Burnside, who were relying on a slip-up by County, stormed to a resounding 13-1 victory at relegated bottom club Bede Lodge SC.

Grant Craig and Craig Ellison fired hat-tricks, with Callum Munro (2), Max Stoker (2), Shaun Dixon (2) and Kyle McCullough also notching.

Josh Elliot struck for Bede, who started well but were overwhelmed.

Hilda Park secured a fourth-place finish with a 5-0 demolition of New Brancepeth WMC.

They never looked back after a 26-second opener as Dan Addison’s sublime ball from the right was converted by Craig Thompson.

Thompson struck a second after good work by Addison, then Chris Ryder made it 3-0 after a mazy, 40-yard run.

Young winger Aaron Evans scored his first senior goal, then star man Thompson completed his hat-trick after being set up by Evans.

Sam Plant and Nick Kitching netted for Framwellgate Moor WMC in a 2-2 draw with Coxhoe Red Lion, who had Adam Strong and Michael Hogg on target.

The point guaranteed safety, moving them a point above Langley Park.

Champions Sherburn Village saw their invincible Premier Division record go with a 2-1 final-day defeat at Chilton WMC.

Man of the match Kieran McWaters’ double did the damage as Chilton completed a series of wins against the top three, with Scott Arnott replying. Sherburn created plenty of chances but took just one.

Fifth-top Houghton Town ran out convincing 5-0 winners at Ferryhill Celtic. Neil Bell was top man for under-par Celtic.

Runners-up Newton Aycliffe Huntsman defeated Washington Cross Keys 2-0 in a good game, with Will Kelly, after a couple of one-twos, and Corey Nicholson on target. Craig Crosby starred for Keys.

Pelton RAOB drew 0-0 at Sacriston Cricket Club, who missed an open goal from a good set-up on the break.

Whitehills won 3-2 at Grange Villa in their final game in Division Two.

Chris Savage won a challenge with Villa keeper James Davidson to tap Whitehills ahead, but they squandered two chances and Villa levelled with a great Ryan Smith strike, from Michael Brown’s ball over the top.

Whitehills regained the lead through Steven Boroumand, but Smith equalised again, following Brown’s lay-off.

Tom Ellis made two fine saves to keep Whitehills level, then the visitors snatched victory in the final minute as James Cattell headed into the far corner of the net after a long throw was nodded on.

Champions East Rainton succumbed to a 3-0 defeat in their final game at Pittington, only their second league loss.

Depleted Pittington impressed, but fatigue told on Rainton after a hectic run-in.

Sedgefield SC secured safety in third-bottom spot with a 1-0 win at already-safe Lumley.

A very evenly matched game was settled midway through the second half, when Bradley Sharp, on the edge of the box, took the ball past one defender and slotted under keeper Lindsay Collinson.

Bowburn went down in second-bottom spot despite a brave show in a 4-4 final-day draw with runners-up Chester Garden Farm.

Jack Walsh (2), Dan Johnson and Tom Wray notched for Farm.

Lambton Lions drew 1-1 at Dubmire, with Cameron Arthurs grabbing their goal.

Ushaw Moor Cricket Club edged out relegated Houghton Chilton Lodge in a 5-4 thriller, as Lodge slipped to the bottom of the table.

Sub Scott Nattrass (3), Mark English and Craig Flowers did the damage.

Ushaw led 3-0 but were stunned as the visitors hit back to go 4-3 up. They equalised then won it with the last kick of a memorable match.

Hetton New inn finished off with a fully deserved 8-4 Third Division win over champions Newton Aycliffe Navy Club.

Dan Summerill hit a hat-trick, with Kieron Hartill (2), Cole Davison (2) and Jonathan Eves also scoring.

Charlie Fowler and Anthony Harrison both struck twice for Navy, who had Reece Gowing sent off. Keeper David Hartill was outstanding for New Inn.

Hetton Social won a fine game 3-2 at Bearpark WMC to finish third, with Cameron Wilson and Dylan Beverage hitting the hosts’ goals.

Quarrington Hill edged a 3-2 win over Witton Gilbert Club, thanks to Stuart Walton, Chris Vaughan and Chris Kane. David Calcutt struck for Witton.