Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior Legue: Australian Patrick Molenari starred, leading Sacriston to a match-winning total against newly-promoted Ponteland.

Debutant Molenari hit 51, which, together with useful contributions from Tony Claughan, Philip Peel and Harry Hubber propelled the home side past 200.

Although Ponteland threatened when Lloyd Anderson was at the wicket, once he was run out for 51, the innings ended at 123 with Martin Hubber claiming five for 34.

Champions Tynedale lost by five wickets to Ashington who last season challenged them all the way for the title.

A number of useful if unspectacular innings enabled Tynedale to reach 153 but Ashington easily met the target with Ben Harmison hitting a six and 13 fours in 81.

Burnopfield made a winning start following their return to the top flight. Paul Lumley and Marcus Peart, whose five wickets were taken for 14 in 5.2 overs sent Benwell and Walbottle back for 112.

Graeme Angus returned 4-14 in nine overs, but Burnopfield were not unduly troubled and won with four wickets and more than 17 overs in hand.

Lanchester's last three batsmen were all run out and the innings ended with only 101 on the board at Shotley Bridge, who secured a six-wicket victory as Neil Burdon carried his bat for 34.

Leadgate had 69 runs in hand of Newcastle City. New Pakistani professional Rohan Rafiq impressed scoring an unbeaten 62 in partnership with Masood Mirza (74 not out).

The target of 190 always looked beyond City and although Ahmed opened with 56, the bowling of Alan Reeve and Mirza proved too much.

Swalwell secured a good first-day result at Annfield Plain winning by 18 runs. Mark Stoneman's half century featured in a total of 170-9 and although David Newstead hit 39 in the Plain reply, Mark Cosgrove (5-51) and Jimmy Smith with 3-45 led Swalwell to victory.