Rushworth makes impression

He has recently been sidelined by injury and also signed a contract with Durham County. But Rushworth made an immediate impact, despite a four game absence, by taking four Chester-le-Street wickets when the game was abandoned.

He removed four of the top run makers for the Cestrians and with a fifth back in the pavilion there were signs of a shock result. Chester were 67-5, with Rushworth grabbing his wickets for 24 runs when rain fell.

John Harbottle, 17, emerged as a rising star with South Northumberland, before their game with Newcastle was called off. He hit 70, including a six and nine fours, and shared in a second wicket stand with Adam Heather who made 83, which included 11 boundaries. This propelled the Bulls to a score of 210-3 in 45 overs.

Newcastle made an encouraging reply in the 29 overs available, with openers Nick Tomlinson on 62 not out and Niall Penfold, unbeaten on 32, taking the score to 103 without loss and defying all six bowlers used in an effort to dislodge them.

Durham Academy enjoyed a batting revival against Gateshead Fell before the match was abandoned, with Ben Raine undefeated on 60 and Ben Stokes adding 40 out of 128-2.

Norton had their derby with Stockton (114-5) ended abruptly with Malintha Gajanayake on 66. Harry Linton (2-9) and Ben Duncan (2-26) struck for Norton.

South Shields, who hosted Blaydon, and Benwell Hill, who were home to Tynemouth.

Benwell had 139-5 on the scoreboard with an opening stand worth 92 between Phil Nicholson and Ali Maiden, who each scored 37, before both fell to South African, Terence Davis-Taylor (3-59).

Scott Borthwick, Blaydon’s Durham player, took the other two wickets to fall in a mini collapse.

South Shields were on 136- 8, with Oli Stedman making a defiant 46 against the bowling of Graeme Bridge (3-14) and Craig Knox (3-40).

Shildon won the bragging rights over main rivals for the Readers Durham County League title, Kimblesworth.

The Railwaymen were 36 runs short of victory with nine overs remaining, when the match was abandoned.

Shildon’s trio of bowlers, Shaun Bradbury (3-43), Phil Timmens (2-17) and Phil Garbutt (2-23), tore through the Kimblesworth batting after openers Stephen Meek (38) and Paul Craig (25) had given them some solid foundations.

Only Kevin Dixon (25) responded and they out for 135.

Sahil Kukreja, Shildon’s Indian professional, hit a superb half century but, just as the in-form Chris Peareth took a hold, the rain came.

Willington won by eight wickets against Tudhoe, and Hylton, by 50 runs against Brandon. Willington bowled out their visitors for just 67 runs with New Zealander pro, Sam Wells (7-26) causing havoc in a 12 over spell which included a hat-trick. Gary Cummings (3-19 and 41 not out) also played his part.

Hylton won the battle of the bottom clubs with Jacky Cowell (42) top scoring for them and John Stokoe (4-31) and Chris Allan (4-33) the ideal bowling duo. Hylton posted 165 but Brandon were back in the hutch for just 115.

In the 3D Durham Coast League Mark Cowell hit 92 not our when sharing an attractive partnership with David Tarn (73) for Easington (218-4) at Boldon CA (126- 3). Jason Jones made 64 for Boldon.

Castle Eden’s Tom Raine (78 not out) and Davey Hanson (60 not out) kept the leaders on top against Dawdon, before it was abandoned.

In the Warmseal Durham Senior League Hetton Lyons, grabbed more points than most in a drawn finish with Seaham Harbour. The Lyons posted 175-6, with Paul Riddle unbeaten on 89, but Seaham’s last batsmen dug in on 116-9 despite four wickets for Hetton’s Sura Malinga and Mike Walker.

Shotley Bridge (140-3) managed to beat Morpeth (136-7) in the Wellstream Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League. Half centuries by Phil Brown and Phil Carlin rushed the Bridge to their seven-wicket win.

Sacriston were the only other winners, beating Tynedale (101 all out) by eight wickets after top performances from Melvyn Betts (4-25), Martin Hubber (4-16) and Phil Shield (50 not out).