by MALCOLM PRATT
 
At  last, the Wearside League returned to action on Saturday but only one of the
scheduled nine fixtures went ahead.
 
Ryhope  CW managed to stage their game with Willington and were rewarded with  a
3-0  victory which enabled them to extend their lead at the top of the table  to
six points.
 
Although  in  the end Martin Swales' team coasted home, until they scored  their
second goal it was difficult to decide which team was in pole position and which
one was at the bottom.
 
There  were  chances at both ends before Ryhope went ahead on 25 minutes.  David
Newby  was brought down and Michael Turnbull converted the penalty, beating  the
impressive Chris Sawyer.
 
Ten  minutes  later and any hopes Willington harboured of causing an upset  just
about evaporated.
 
Richie  Jordan received the ball following a short corner, turned in the box and
his  rasping left-foot drive gave Sawyer no chance. It was his 17th goal of  the
season.
 
Following  this second success, Ryhope dominated with Dean Arkley impressive  in
mid-field  but  it was not until the 70th minute that they put the  game  beyond
Willington.
 
Jordan  held  off  his marker but was up-ended and Turnbull stepped  forward  to
convert his second spot kick.
 
The  other  seven  league  fixtures  were called off as  was  the  Second  Round
Sunderland Shipowners' Cup tie at Scarborough Town. Jarrow made the long journey
but just before kick-off the match referee declared the pitch unplayable.