The Durham Northumberland Division Three leaders are not beating teams, they are battering them!

Saturday's 20-8 victory at nearest challengers Bishop Auckland – who were previously unbeaten at home – was a truly outstanding result.

Seaton have scored 633 points, the second best record in any of the local leagues.

It would take a calamitous loss of form to deny them the title.
Their 16-game winning run is made even more impressive by the fact they have long-term injury absentees, like Keith Grazier, James Lindsay, Gareth Ruddock and Barry Ward.

Perhaps the greatest loss is that of Anthony "Tank" Rayner who, at the grand old age of 25, has retired on medical grounds.

A former Royal Navy Under 21 hooker, Tank became an automatic pick for several seasons.

Seaton already miss his all-round talent but especially his pin-point line-out throw-ins.

Anthony is now lending his considerable abilities to guiding the second XV in their development. All the best Anth.

THE waistline may have expanded a little, but you won't get any complaints from me on that score.

Kelly's talking about John Pearson, one of Durham's most decorated referees.

John reached top international standard, officiating many major occasions, including a Five Nations match at the Parc des Princes in Paris.

In his pomp, Mr Pearson did enjoy the limelight, and was famous for a tan of Paul Kirton quality and his tight shorts.

But unlike some refs who ruin a game, John enhanced it with his outgoing style, humour and his own brand of man-management.

So it was great to see him strutting his stuff at Mayfield Park on Saturday, when Hartlepool took another confident step towards a place in Durham Northumberland Division One.

It must have been like old times on Pool's way to a 31-12 win over Acklam – Alan Brown trying to referee the game and John telling him to shut up!

SportMail reporter Ian Hunt observed: "Special praise by both teams was given to ex-international referee John Pearson for an excellent no-nonsense performance."

Pool are in brilliant form at the top of Division Two and look certs for the title. Stick a ton on them!

Good luck to the "Sheriff" and his posse on Saturday at Ponteland.