A revamp of the Championship saw Durham in the Plate Competition and reaching the Final against Eastern Counties (Cambridge, Norfolk, Suffolk) in a game played at Hartlepool Rovers with Durham running out winners by 30 pts to 20.
The game was another success for Hartlepool Clubs with Hartlepool Rovers players, Gareth Foreman, Stuart Palmer and Michael Taylor all in the starting lineup. Andrew Dixon from West Hartlepool was on the bench along with Mark Power of Hartlepool Rovers. The game was hosted by the Durham County President that season, Mr Jim Ainslie (Hartlepool Athletic).
The team on the day with replacements was:
Simon Moore (Middlesbrough), Gareth Foreman (Hartlepool Rovers ) Rob McDermott, Chris Dunlop and Oliver Brennand (all Durham University), Lee Richardson (Darlington), Tom Basey (Durham University & Captain), Gareth Nesbit (Westoe), Dan and Joe Oselton (Darlington), Matthew Mutchall and Paul Bird (Westoe), Stuart Palmer (Hartlepool Rovers), Dan Cooper (Durham University) Michael Taylor (Hartlepool Rovers).
Replacements Mark Cammiss (Durham City), Andrew Dixon (West Hartlepool), Mark Power (Hartlepool Rovers), Graeme Smith (Westoe) David Tate (Gateshead) Jimmy Atkinson (Durham City) Alistair Simmie (Durham University & England Students)
Date (of image) : 2007
Donor : Ian Fletcher
Creator : Ian Fletcher
Location
The rugby changes since the 1990s heralded a new phase for the Durham County XV which has witnessed them still bringing success to the County albeit at Plate and Division II levels of the Championship.
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