CHAMPIONS Bardon Mill Bowes Lyons continued where they left off by getting their season off to a storming start.

They never dropped a point in the Hexham and District Sunday League last year and they showed they mean business again this campaign as they started with a 7-1 drubbing of newly promoted Riding Mill.

Last season’s top scorer Dan Kirkup capped a man of the match display with a hat-trick, with Mark Robson scoring twice and Rob Hayes and Jack Currah also netting.

For the visitors, Paul Britten registered and Richie Slaughter starred.

A treble from man of the match Dan Walker saw Division Two champions Heddon St Andrew’s edge out Hexham Phoenix 3-2.

Star man Tony Lancaster and Lewis Loughhead scored for Phoenix.

A penalty from Jack Barker rescued a point for Haltwhistle Railway as they shared six goals with Prudhoe Town.

Man of the match Barker and James Aherne had put Halty 2-0 up but Prudhoe fought back and were 3-2 to the good through goals from Sam Moore, Brad Rogers and Martin Nugent and a man of the match display from Danny Driver.

Owen Lee’s hat-trick helped Crawcrook Fox and Hounds to a 4-2 victory over Mickley Social Club. Ben Coulson also registered while Joe Meadows starred.

For Mickley, a goal from Matty Fothergill and an own goal saw them up and running, with Stefan Rainbow named star man.

Hat-tricks from man of the match Aaron Hardy and Kieran Robley saw Haydon Bridge Social Club to three points in an entertaining 7-5 triumph over Ponteland Cairn Group Hotel in Division Two. Liam Crowe was also on target.

Pont’s star man Peter McRoberts scored two and Jordan O’Neill, Dan Brookwell and Carl Houston also netted.

Newcomers Wark picked up a point as they drew 3-3 with Crawcrook Social, their goals coming from man of the match Will Forsyth, Ryan Potts and Liam Anderson.

Crawcrook’s goals came from man of the match Liam Garrett, Calvin Payne and Reece Hepple.

Strikes from Jordan Watson, Dillon Swan, Nathan Reed, Matty Plummer and Kieron Priestly earned Ryton a 5-0 victory over Hexham Hearts. Anthony Scott starred for Ryton, while Ryan Morris impressed for Hearts.

Doubles from man of the match Jamie Noutch, Marc Nixon, Gary Nixon and Sam Herdman, and singles from Gary Pigg and Jonny Lodge saw Barrasford put 11 without reply past Stamfordham United who had Stu Henderson impressing.

Goals from star man Joe Shepherd and Matty Percival earned Hexhamshire a 2-2 draw with Wylam Black Bull who had Jordan Philipps and Teo Birsan on target and Matty Smith starring.

Crawcrook Rising Sun were eliminated from the Durham FA Sunday Cup after losing 5-4 on penalties to Whitburn SC.

The game finished 3-3 with Connor Collins scoring twice and Sam Turner once for Sun. An eye-catching performance saw Joe Leck named man of the match.