A NEW season, and no rain, but there was nothing unfamiliar about Swalwell’s opening day success at Sacriston.

The home side, whom many fancy to be one of Swalwell’s challengers this term, had steady if unspectacular performers at the top of the order as they took first knock, with Phil Shields, Mark Fort and Harry Hubber all getting starts.

But Hubber’s 28 was to prove the highlight of the innings as Nicky Phillips and Simon Clarke squeezed the life out of the middle order. Clarke picked up three for 26 in nine overs and Phillips three for 34 in 15.

Despite this, a healthy dollop of 30 extras pushed Sacriston’s total up to a defendable 179, but Lloyd Anderson made light of the task as he opened up with a blistering 76 that included ten fours and two sixes.

Melvyn Betts did his best to derail the champions as he plundered three wickets in a 15 over burst, but there were no real alarms as Swalwell eased to a comfortable six-wicket success.

A devastating bowling performance from skipper Richie Walker paved the way for a successful return to the top flight for Percy Main. Ryton were the hapless victims as Walker ran riot with a spell of five wickets for just eight runs in ten overs, seven of which were maidens. But for his opposite number, Neil Robinson (36), the visitors would have been in even deeper trouble as they crumbled to 67 all out.

Michael Phillips also got in on the act with three for eight to mop up the tail, while Carl Ainsworth’s opening double wicket salvo set up the chance for Walker’s strike. Johnny O’Neill (3-24) did his best to fight back but there was never enough in the bank to play with as the Main men claimed twenty points with a six-wicket win.

The other promoted team, Morpeth, were also off to a flyer as they won by a similar margin at Benwell and Walbottle.

Michael Craigs (4-17) and Chris Reagan (3- 11) were the key men with the ball as the Bottle toppled over for 121, and then Darren Leason (49) and Jonny Craigs (49no) made light of the target.

A low scoring encounter at Langwell Crescent saw Shotley Bridge successfully defend a less than impressive total of 114.

Phil Brown (47 and 5-35) was quickly back into his groove for the Bridge, although it took 20 runs from skipper, and No 10 bat Neil Burdon, to get the score past three figures as Mark Wood (3-19) and Graham Whitworth (3-30) led the Colliers assault.

Ashington’s response was always struggling as Brown turned the screw to leave them 14 runs short.

Annfield Plain served notice of a possible championship challenge as they overcame Lintz by 31 runs. Dave Newstead (61) and Adam Phillips (5-47) were anything but plain for the victors.

The most closely contested game came at Leadgate where they and visitors Tynedale played out a thrilling draw, both teams ending with 191-7 to their names.

Gary Hunter (54), Barry Stewart (3-47) and Liam Pringle (3-48) were all on song for the visitors, but Leadgate’s eighth wicket pair of Dave Richardson (47no) and Paul McCourt (18no) rescued a lost cause and just failed to secure a remarkable victory.