Shotley Bridge improved their position near the bottom of the table when they recorded only their second win of the season.

Mark Smith (67), Phil Taylor with 42 and Ian Heslop (45) propelled them past 200 at Lintz and when the former Durham County all-rounder David Jackson captured six wickets for just 36 runs, the home side managed only 159.

Lintz are now second from the basement while Whickham are firmly entrenched at the bottom following their nine-wicket defeat by Tynedale.

Tynedale have a 13-point lead at the top over Ashington who had no trouble seeing off champions Lanchester. Neil Wood (74) and Stuart Tiffin (76) gave the Colliers a perfect start which left Lanchester facing the formidable target of 266. Despite 70 by debutant Atta-ur-Rehman, the home side were all out for 168. Sacriston are joint third after securing their fourth win. Former Durham City player Ross McLaren top scored with 53 in his team's total of 181 with Paul Dumigham returning the excellent figures of 4-29 for Swalwell.

Leadgate had plenty in hand of Newcastle City, whose innings collapsed to the spin of Bilal Rana. His five-wicket haul cost him just 21 runs in 8.2 overs and Gary Innes backed up the Pakistani taking 3-19 from 12 overs.

Van Vuuren was in splendid all-round form for Benwell and Walbottle. He took 124 off the Annfield Plain attack leading his side to an impressive 242-7 before taking four wickets in the visitors' 156 runs.