Heighington Waite over

Heighington confirmed their leadership credentials as they put on a powerful display to overwhelm Cockerton and move into outright leadership of the Oxbridge Darlington and District League's Division A.

Home side Cockerton had no real answer to the bowling of Rob Waite as he took five for 35, and with Mark Jackson chipping in with three cheap wickets they were back in the pavilion for just 91, a total that posed no problems for Heighington as Andy Walker continued his outstanding start to the season with a rapid unbeaten 63.

Barningham's halo slipped a little as they ended up on the wrong end of a tremendous game with Rockcliffe Park. The home side would have been reasonably satisfied when they sat down to tea with 183 on the board, Colin Blackburn making 47, John Lowes 37 and Stephen Bell having to retire with 48 to his name after top edging the ball into his eye. When Park batted the loss of six relatively cheap wickets brought Darren Wheeler and Mark Swannick together and they went about carefully repairing the damage with a stand of 80, and whilst Swannick eventually perished for 55 last man Kevin Allenby joined the limpet like Wheeler to put on 10 for the last wicket and secure a superb one wicket win, Wheeler's unbeaten 45 proving absolutely crucial to the success.

Barton got back on track as they defeated Lands by five wickets. The visitors total of 130 for eight was always going to be hard to defend although it was partially self inflicted as two players were run out, and Danny Shoulder did most of the other work when taking four for 58. Tony Millar gave the necessary stability to the reply with an opening half century and there were no real alarms as the home team moved above their opponents and into third position.

Aldbrough St John had one of the most comfortable wins of the day when they overcame visitors Ingleton by eight wickets. Johnny Hoyle (four for 11) had the visitors back in the hutch for just 57 but despite the loss of two early wickets Rory Wood saw the job through with an unbeaten 35.

Other wins on the day were achieved by Spennithorne and Harmby over Brompton on Swale and Trimdon Colliery over Middleton St George. Brompton's 131 owed much to opener Dale's 70 but generally the visiting bowlers were on top with Vince Greaves taking five for 46 and Simon Walker three for 33. Once openers Tunstall (49 no) and Fowler (44) had put on over 70 for the first wicket the game was effectively over. Middleton's struggles continued at Trimdon where they were well beaten. Andrew Strong was the strength as he claimed five for 78 to restrict the visitors to 129 and then Tinkler saw his side to an eight wicket win with 54 not out.

In Division B Eryholme maintained their two point lead as they overpowered Middleton Tyas by six wickets, but Haughton stayed right on their tail with an even more impressive seven wicket defeat of Cliffe, Colin Wilkinson claiming six for 15 for the winners. Going one better was Trimdon CCA's Paul Lee with seven for 34 as his side hammered East Cowton and there were bowling honours too for Andrew Troup of Spennymoor as he lowered Rockcliffe Park's colours with five for 29.

Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh League

It is a case of back to the future in the Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh League as half of the eight teams in Division One now share joint leadership with identical records of three wins and one defeat.

Broughton & Kirby entered last weekend with a clear lead at the top and no doubt confident of enhancing their record against bottom club Thimbleby, however such is cricket that things did not go according to the book. Broughton were in early trouble as no one could stay with Andre White (42) and it looked certain they would post a low score until Mathew Smith, with a career best unbeaten 73, was joined by youngster Cameron Mitchell (44 no) and they were able to take the total up to a very defendable 186 with a swashbuckling eighth wicket stand of over 80. Jamie Thompson took five for 86 for the visitors.

Whilst Thimbleby came into the game without a win they had twice made scores of over 200 and they made surprisingly light work of their task as first Mark Stenson (42) and then brothers Chris (36) and Geoff (39no) Cowton maintained the necessary momentum to take their team through to a welcome seven wicket victory.

Crathorne joined the leading pack as they gave a great all round display of strength to defeat Stafford Place. The home side were unable to get on top of the Crathorne bowlers despite Mally Graves' 54. Kevin Clarkson, Bruce Gibbons and Alan Clemmitt took three wickets each as Stafford subsided to 137 all out, and then, after the early loss of Barnaby Heap, Chris Marshall (63no) and Dr. Sam Samarage (61no) shared an unbroken second wicket stand of 130 to claim a nine wicket win for their side.

Kirby Sigston were even more convincing as they disposed of East Harlsey by a ten wicket margin. Paul Nicholson (four for 32) and Ian Raynor (three for 41) were principally responsible for keeping Harlsey down to a total of 100, before Dave Thompson (59 no) and John Harper (38 no) brought a swift conclusion to the game.

Maltby racked up the highest score of the day as they made 215 for three against visitors Skelton Castle with Harry Wordsworth (70 no), David Lamb (57no), and Simon Close (34) being the main contributors. Castle were always behind the asking rate in their reply and a steady loss of wickets ensured the home teams total was never threatened, with Jack Alders being the pick of the winners attack with four for 40.

In Division Two there is a three way tie for top spot with Hutton Rudby's first string, Kildale and Norton all sharing pole position. Two of those sides met as Kildale entertained Hutton Rudby and became embroiled in yet another thriller - the third time this season for them, although on this occasion they ended up on the wrong end of the result as the visitors won by one wicket, the hero Gareth Jones (59 no) dramatically smashing a six to end the match. Norton joined the other two at the top when they won by 42 runs at Ingleby Greenhow as Sills returned match winning figures of eight for 43.

The league representative team took part in a superb game of cricket at Hutton Rudby when in the first round of the Connoisseur Wilkinson Cup they met the Darlington and District League. Darlington got off to a great start with an opening stand of 128 between Rory Wood (73) and Andy Walker (76), which set them up for an imposing 40 over total of 248. At 13 for two the prospects looked bleak for the Langbaurgh League but there then followed a breathtaking innings from Dave Thompson who smashed 145 which include 20 fours and 2 sixes. This swept his team to within sight of victory which was gained by a margin of three wickets with just two balls to spare.

Roseberry Group North East Durham League

Burnhope retain the leadership of the Roseberry Group North East Durham League's first division, but only just as they survived by the skin of their teeth when overcoming visiting Whiteleas by one run.

Peter Sowden had a bitter sweet day as first he put the home side on the rack with a spell of seven for 33 after Lee Tweedy had given them a great start with an opening 60. Owen Peterson's 55 at the top of the innings promised much but Lee Shaw kept a tight grip on the Whiteleas batsmen with three for 12 and then Michael Reynoldson bowled Sowden with the last ball of the game to seal the most dramatic of wins.

Wearmouth stayed firmly on Burnhope's tails as they had a slightly more comfortable win by four wickets at Newton Aycliffe. Tony Travis top scored for the home side with an unbeaten 47, with John Surtees taking three for 36 in the Wearmouth attack. Phil O-Ware opened out with 46, and there were decent contributions throughout the rest of the team as the visitors claimed the twenty points to keep them just a solitary point behind the leaders.

The game of the day was at Coundon where Simonside were the visitors and amazingly both teams finished with exactly the same scores - 149 for nine - to give the perfect tie. Mathew Thompson got Simonside off to a decent start with 44, but the Coundon attack bowled steadily to keep things in check, with William Timms claiming four for 27. He then looked as if he had set up victory with a fluent 62, but when he was out there was a steady procession as Graham Robinson (five for 30) turned the screw until the last pair were just unable to get past the winning post in a breathless end to the game.

East Rainton got back on the rails as Neil Matthews made 64 and Dave Newsome 87 no to set up a total of 216 for four. Belmont made a good fist of their reply, mainly through Andy Pritchard (65) and Richard Welsh (46 no), but in the end it was Gary Humphries' four wickets and Ian Kitching's three that held the key to a 24 run success. In the final game in Division One North Bitchburn eased out visiting Hunwick by three wickets with successes being well spread amongst the team.

In Division Two East Rainton still lead following a seven wicket success at Belmont, Bearpark are second after an eight wicket win over Simonside and Houghton are third through a 58 run defeat of Wearmouth. Hunwick are already well adrift at the foot of the table after being bowled out for just 19 by Tantobie.

Coors Cleveland League

Champions Loftus dropped their first points of the season last weekend to hand New Marske the outright leadership of Division One.

Staithes were the team denting Loftus' one hundred per cent record as they clung grimly on for a draw after looking at one point as if they might pull off a surprise win. Chris Barritt was the main man again with 57 as the visitors were all out for 181, with Graham Marsay on top form for the home side as he claimed five for 30. Mike Armstrong (42) and Liam Crooks (40) got their team off to a great start but when they fell it became a case of backs to the wall as Barritt (four for 39) and Rob Whitwell (three for 33) turned the screw. Staithes ninth wicket pair managed to hold the champions at bay as they survived a couple of scares before the close.

New Marske grabbed the opportunity presented by overpowering visitors Hartlepool Camerons by 140 runs. Stuart Wood continued his great start to the season with an opening 78, and with Jed Alderson contributing 58 the home side finished on 197 for six despite Liam Prosser's four for 43. In reply Camerons never got out of the starting blocks as Marske's four pronged attack all claimed wickets, Magor having the best analysis with three for 14.

Paragonians slipped to the bottom of the table after being overwhelmed by Nunthorpe Merlin. Paul Tweedy claimed five for 15 to reduce the visitors to an all out total of 51, then he made an undefeated 33 as his team coasted home by nine wickets.

Dormans pulled their home game with Ormesby Hall out of the fire after being dismissed for just 104, of which 27 were extras. Hardy must have thought he was a match winner with figures of five for 23, but then Craig Dale (five for 24) and Kenny Holland (five for 19) ran through the visiting line up to secure a 40 run winning margin.

It was almost a one man show as Loftus' second string defeated visitors Dormanstown by seven wickets. Loughran claimed five for 40 to restrict Town to 134 for nine - a total that owed much to Dowson's 61. He then went on to record an unbeaten 64 to ensure there were no alarms for the home side.

Four teams have emerged as early front runners in Division Two with Smith's Dock A, who didn't play, on top, with their three closest challengers all winning. Boosbeck thrashed Ormesby Hall's B team by a massive 205 runs, Simon Daynes continuing his fine start to the season by top scoring with 60 and then grabbing five for 19.

Cowpen Bewley endured the opposite extreme, scraping home by just one wicket in a low scoring game thanks to a remarkable undefeated 72 from Chris Barlow, made out of a total of just 97 for nine.

Hinderwell faced a similar target against Smith's Dock B and were in serious trouble until Rob Harrison (25no) and Mike Steyert (15no) pulled the game out of the fire.