Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: THERE was a close call for leaders Tynedale before they squeezed home by just five runs against Newcastle City.

Runs were at a premium throughout and the Hexham side's 134 looked vulnerable but eventually their four-man attack came up trumps.

Stuart Graham (41), Richard Darling (31) and Pesarra (32) produced almost all the runs after Scott Kay, who has been in tremendous form, was trapped leg before without scoring by Palav Kumar. He recently played for Durham County.

Richard Darling and Henry Twizell made early in-roads into the Newcastle City innings but Tom Jones threatened until he was bowled by Kay after scoring 31.

Thereafter, the innings ended prematurely on 129.

In contrast, second-placed Ashington romped home at Whickham where the game was reduced to 45 overs a side because of a delayed start.

In the event, the Colliers used only 43.2 overs making 179 all out which included 33 from 44 balls by Neil Wood, who recorded six boundaries, and an unbeaten 44 by Stephen Boyd. He received 62 deliveries and struck four fours.

Darren Stillwell was the most successful bowler in the Whickham attack claiming four wickets for just 35 runs in 13 overs and professional Charles Coventry returned two for 45 from 10 overs.

Whickham's response at the wicket was disappointing and they crashed to 54 all out in 22.3 overs.

David Rutherford delivered 11 overs claiming six wickets for only 31 runs and Stephen Boyd took three for nine in 10 overs, of which no fewer than six proved to be maidens.

Sacriston made it four wins out of five defeating Benwell and Walbottle by three wickets.

Their target was 141 and following an opening innings of 39 by Philip Peel, David Metcalfe and Ross McLaren added valuable runs.

Naz Rashid and Van Vuuren both took three wickets for the home side who, batting first, reached 140 for nine including 33 by Stephen Reed.

Ian Cruikshank had an excellent day with the ball for Sacriston taking five of the nine wickets for just 35 runs.

The game between Leadgate and Swalwell was badly affected by the weather.

Massood Mirza took three wickets for minimal cost as the visitors ended on 116 for five from a reduced number of overs and when a halt was finally made, Leadgate were 56 for two.

Shotley Bridge were 45 for the loss of three wickets replying to the Annfield Plain total of 170 for seven which included 34 by Graeme Carr and a half century from David Baxter.

Lanchester's hopes of retaining the championship were dealt a blow when their game with Lintz was washed out without a ball being bowled.

The game of the day in Division A2 between second-top Burnopfield and leaders Ponteland also fell foul of the weather.

Marcus Peart struck a superb unbeaten century, leading Burnopfield to an impressive 146 for one.

Percy Main moved into third place with an emphatic victory at home to Alnwick who were all out for just 96 as Ron Balsillie took four wickets for 28 runs in 13 overs.

Steve Knight (35), Duncan McCree, whose 57 included one six and five other boundaries, and Balsillie (43) produced most of the runs in Percy Main's total of 182 for five.

Consett suffered a 62-run set-back at Seaton Burn for whom Kevin Corby made 80 in a near-200 total.

Dominic McCabe captured four of the eight wickets to fall before Consett were all out for just 130 including a top-scoring 39 by Stephen Marshall.