SPORTS SHORTS

THE new captains of Matfen Hall Golf Club have teed off the new season in style.

Tom Longhurst and Lynda Conway hit the first shots of the campaign in front of a full field of members who then took part in a Texas Scramble competition.

The first winners were Graeme Wigham, Ian Telford, Darren Smith and Tony Liddle with an impressive score of 30.75 over the nine-hole format.

THE opening round of the 2017 ANECCC North East Autocross Championship will be staged at Mill Farm, Ponteland, on Sunday, April 23.

Racing runs from 11.00-4.00 with practice from 10.00.

The meeting also incorporates the Bob Yeoman Memorial event.

THE draw has been made for the first round of the North East

Midweek Cricket League Cup.

Ties are: BelmontE v Marsden, Hexham Leazes v Eage Old Boys, Matrix Barbarians v West End, Ratcatchers v Genetics, Sage v Bates Cottages, Cramlington v Felling, Northern Rangers v NE Tamils, North Star v CCC, Sparta v Milford, Oddfellows v High Stables, Blue Flames v Whitley Bay, Civil Service v Boxbreakers, Corinthians v Oceans, Park House v Kirkwood, Adders v City Sharks.

HOUGHTON Kepier Academy pupil Harry Nicholson is splashing out on swimming success.

Despite only taking up the sprt competitively three years ago, the year eight student (pictured) won two gold medals (in the 50 metres free and 200 metres backstroke) at the Scottish Swimming Championships in Aberdeen.

The Durham ASC member also secured three silvers and two bronze medals - as well as reaching all his under-13 event finals and setting personal-best times in each one.

MORE than 100 children from eight different schools played rugby league at Kingston Park Stadium as Newcastle Thunder’s Community Project hosted its latest Year Seven Girls Sky Try Festival.

WALLSEND BC will take on Newcastle United in the final of the Bluefin Sports Insurance NFA Women’s Cup at Whitley Park, Benton, on Friday, May 12 (7.30).

STUDENTS from Ashington Karate Club travelled to Kirkintilloch near Glasgow for a Shodan (first degree) black belt grading with senior Instructor Andy Sherry of the Karate Union of Great Britain.

All the students came through the examination, where the pass rate for first-time applicants is only 30%.

DON’T miss tomorrow night’s Grassroots Sport for all the latest Saturday minor football league action.