LANCASHIRE maintained their 100 per cent record in the Northern Counties League when they overcame Durham 11-7 at Ravensworth, writes DAVID BIRTILL.

It left them two points in front of nearest rivals Yorkshire and with a superior “goal average” to take to their final fixture against Northumberland at Southport & Ainsdale on August 31 they are hot favourites to retain the Daily Telegraph salver.

The Red Rose side bossed the foursomes 4-2 but there were some surprise defeats in the singles, most notably those inflicted on the usually reliable Mark Young and Michael Hunt, along with county champion Haydn McCullen.

Skipper Paul Williams suggested part of the reason was the “quirkiness” of the course with its sloping fairways and blind tee shots.

“Several of our players opted to hit six and seven irons from the tee to avoid running into trouble,” he said. “Durham certainly chose their venue well!”

For all that, Lancashire still had plenty of fire power, Williams singling out lower order men Adam Stone and Sean Blinkhorn for ensuring victory.

Elsewhere, the scoreline was matched by Yorkshire against Cumbria at The Oakes and by third place Cheshire who despatched Northumberland at Stockport.

Cheshire face Yorkshire at Lindrick in their final match and Cumbria hope to pick up their first points when they host Durham at Silloth-on-Solway.

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