The Alnwick Harrier, who ran at least seven half-marathons and six marathons as well as numerous other endurance events in 2009, is building up his mileage as he eyes up even longer races later in the year.

The Spanish outing, where he finished in 11th position and knocked 26 seconds off his previous best for the distance, came the day after he celebrated his 38th birthday.

A John Angus goal and a long-range effort from Alan Brown gave them the victory, and a Martin Tait strike was Alnwick's only reply.

Berwick United Reserves gained their first win of the season as efforts from Jonathan Waugh, Terry James and Michael Lee proved too much for local rivals Berwick Town, whose reply came from Rudy McLeod.

Fishing a black and white Devon - affectionately called the "Toon Army" - Brian landed a cock fish at 8.30am on Monday to lift the Coquet Trophy and three years' free permits.

Traditionally the fish would have been presented to the Duke of Northumberland but the Northumbrian Anglers' Federation now operates a catch and release policy until June 16.

Shilbottle's tie with Northern Alliance opponents Percy Main was switched to Main's home ground Purvis Park, where Shilbottle went down 3-0.

Player-manager Jason Ritchie got the Main off the mark with a 31st-minute penalty and doubled the lead just before the break. Midway through the second half, Shadforth was on target after Callum Colbeck's drive was parried.

In the same competition, Berwick United beat Alnwick Town Reserves (pictured- photo by Steve Miller) 3-0 with strikes from Leigh Walker (2) and Mike Robinson.

The match was one of the only games played in the weather-hit North East minor league programme this weekend.

Robbie Dobson gave Blyth the lead on the stroke of half-time, but Alnwick ran the show after the break. Chris Moffitt struck to restore parity and his Alnwick colleague Ben Keenan bagged a quick-fire brace.

Meanwhile in the North Northumberland League, the top two teams in Division One went head-to-head and had to settle for a point apiece after a hard-fought encounter.

Each side had a player sent off early in the game and Stephen Rutter gave Alnwick their opener midway through the first half. Their lead survived until City's Stuart Hill equalised in the 79th minute to take the tie into extra time.

Steve Bell grabbed Carlisle's vital winner towards the end of the first extra period.

Colin Young (2), Anthony Murray, Andy Burgon and Craig Henderson were all on target in the win at Acklington Athletic.

Alnwick Town Reserves were four up after 35 minutes at Bedlington, thanks to Michael Saunders, Chris Kidd and Jake Lowes.

Late in the first half, two goals by Kevin Elliott and Tony Brown set Alnwick up for the kill - and they held on for the points after Daniel Robinson got their hosts off the mark.

There is still no respite for Heddon, who are still seeking their first home win of the campaign and remain isolated at the bottom, equal on points with Newcastle University who have played six games less than the Bullocksteads outfit.

Pictured: Alnwick's Kevin Elliott on the ball- photo by Steve Miller

The 10-year-old from Alnwick's Lindisfarne Middle School was one of the dozens of youngsters involved in the summer-long initiative.

Friar's chosen sport was golf and he participated in a 10-week programme at Alnwick Golf Club, being subsequently entered into a county-wide prize draw for attending 100% of the sessions.

Stuart Bertram and George Irish gave Wooler a two-goal lead, but a Dave Eastwood effort and two from Stuart McCaig saw Boulmer ahead at half-time. Mathew Sullivan then added a fourth, with Rob Shepherd pulling a goal back for Wooler.

Elsewhere, Belford lost out on the chance to extend their lead at the head of Division One as a determined display from Rothbury Reserves saw the points shared at Armstrong Park.

Harraby's Stephen Archibald saw an early goal chalked off for offside and Alnwick's Scott McMullen had his powerful header tipped over by visiting goalkeeper Andy Casson.

However, it was the Cumbrians who took the lead after 24 minutes when Rob Bainbridge's low cross was hammered in by Archibald. Richard Brown was near to restoring parity for Alnwick, but his drive clipped the upright and after the break Harraby were on top. After two near-misses by Bainbridge, Harraby doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when Archibald bagged his second goal from close range.

Murton ended a dismal run with 2-1 win after their visitors had been fired into a fifth-minute lead by Tom Vickers.

Chris Wilson opened Murton's account after 80 minutes and in the dying seconds also snatched his side's winner.

But it was a significant result, with Belford taking over at the top of Division Two with a 3-2 win at Springhill.

David Jardine notched twice for the home side, before Ryan Lillico pulled one back for Belford. But two late goals from Kevin Greshon meant Belford took the three points - and the No 1 spot.

Although Alnwick's Ben Keenan cancelled out Tony Lancaster's early strike for Wark Lancaster netted again to restore the home side's lead and their third goal was claimed by Phil Thompson.