Kirby make it five wins out of six

Although they lost an early wicket Kirby Sigston soon recovered through a second wicket partnership between Lowther (37) and Thompson (49). Clarkson then carried his bat for 23 in a four wickets victory. Livingstone was the most productive bowler in the Stafford Place attack ending with three for 12 while Iveson took two for 20.

East Harsley are second and they had three wickets in hand at home to Skelton Castle. Faced with a target of 153 East Harlsey were indebted to Hill for his contribution of 40. Mason opened making 28 and for Skelton Castle Stainthorpe claimed three wickets for 33 runs.

Stainthorpe was also among the runs when the visitors made first use of wicket and ended with 152 for eight on top. He contributed 65 and Gratton 37 before Hurst ended unbeaten on 27. Willey claimed four wickets for 69 runs and Grainge three for 63 in the East Harlsey attack.

Maltby had 51 runs in hand of Chopgate after scoring 160 for eight which included 40 by Marrow who recorded six boundaries. Close added 33 to the Maltby total of 160 for eight and for Chopgate Neil Stockton had five wickets for 41 runs in 16 overs, three of which were maidens.

When they replied Chopgate made a reasonable start through openers Holmes (17) and Holtby (16). Steve McLean recorded four boundaries in 23 forming a third wicket partnership of 43 with Holtby before the innings closed on 109 in 33 overs.

Latif, introduced as third change in the Maltby attack, was in good form returning figures of three for 14 in three overs while Hornsby, Stringer and Close all picked up a couple of wickets.

Kildale made the useful total of 211 for six but still lost to Thimbleby who won with their ninth pair at the wicket. Opener Stenson led the way with 32 and his opening partner Daniels made 20 for Thimbleby. Garbutt contributed 27, Adams 26 before Thompson carried his bat for 33. Ward was another player with a useful contribution scoring 22 as Thimbleby ended with 212 for eight on the board.

J Pearson was in splendid form with the ball for Kildale claiming five of the eight wickets to fall for 81 runs and Doughty took two for 48.

Batting first Kildale also scored freely. Proud opened with 29 before Corcoran (31), J Pearson (68) and Sonley who ended unbeaten on 39 took their side past the 200 mark. Ward was the top wicket taker for Thimbleby ending with four for 67.

Ingleby Greenhow were all out for 89 and lost by nine wickets to visitors Scruton. Forcett opened the home innings scoring 26, but most of the time the batsmen were well contained by Brass who ended with four for 45 and by Barratt whose four wickets cost him ten runs. Hornsby took the other two wickets at a cost of 21 runs.

Replying Scruton were never troubled and won losing one wickets that of opener Plews who was caught by Forcett after scoring 23. Hornsby batted throughout for a well played undefeated 49 and Bradbury was with him at the end with 14 not out.

Broughton and Kirby had 89 runs in hand of Hutton Rudby. Batting first the home side posted 225 for six which included 93 from Parkin and 75 not out from Briddick. Cooke captured four of the six wickets to fall for 56 runs.

In reply Hutton Rudby were all out for 136 which included a top scoring 27 by Jones and 24 from Alexander. Briddick followed up a good batting performance taking three for 30 as did man of the match Parkin whose three wickets were taken at a cost of 20 runs.

Swainby after scoring only four runs in their previous game performed much better even though they lost by ten wickets to Crathorne. L Clemmit top scored with 35 out of a total of 97 for nine as Bruce took four 17 and Samarage three for 34.

When they went to the wicket Crathorne won without losing a batsman as Mooney carved out an unbeaten 63 and Marshall also carried his bat for 30.

George Mann Cup

Ionly match completed in the first week of the new season, Wolsingham All Stars hit a magnificent 170 all out from their 20 overs against Wolsingham Teachers. Michael Watson led the scoring with 29, whilst Kevin walker added 28 and James Everitt and John Wilson 27 each. Simon Blood was the most successful bowler for the teachers with two wickets.

The Teachers reply started well with the father and son partnership of Graham and Nick Dalton putting on 46 for the first wicket but the scoring then dried up and the overs ran out with the score on 101 for 7. The Watson brothers, Michael and Mark accounted for four of the wickets, taking two each.

Stanhope Grey Bull made a useful start against Wolsingham Mill Race and had reached 27 for the loss of two wickets when the heavens opened and the players were drenched before they reached the boundary. The game was abandoned with each side taking one point.

Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Juniors

Greenside crashed to 24 all out when they hosted Ryton in the U15 division. Lewis Barr was undoubtedly the man of the match and he claimed five wickets for 16 runs while Daniel Thompson took three for seven.

Batting first Barr also starred with the bat top scoring with 48 which together with 37 from Graeme Butcher and 20 not out by Daniel Thompson propelled Ryton to 119 for three.

In the U18 division Sacriston had 33 runs to spare at Greenside. When they made first use of the wicket Sacriston ended with 116 for three on the board which included 34 by Craig Burke, with five boundaries, 31 from Martin Hubber and 23no by Mark Fort. Adam Ball was the most productive bowler in the Greenside attack claiming three wickets for 13 runs in three overs.

Replying Greenside managed only 83 for eight for which Anthony Scott scored 23 and James Grant an unbeaten 21 with three fours.

Burnopfield were just three runs short of a winning margin at Ryton, who batting first, ended with 97 for seven on top. In this game also Lewis Barr struck form hitting six boundaries out of 40 as Ryton ended on 97 for seven despite Young taking three for 18 and Piote took 32.

When they replied Burnopfield went close but when the overs expired they were just 95 for seven and Ryton won by two runs.

Andrew Tinnion had a good night with the bat for Burnopfield finding the boundary on two occasions top scoring with 36.

There was another close finish at Shotley Bridge who defeated Lanchester by six runs at the end of a high scoring fixture. Mark Grinter ended undefeated on 43 and John Stokoe contributed 53 not out to the Shotley Bridge total of 139 for two which also included 22 from Mark Charlton.

Despite facing a formidable total Lanchester chased victory and were 133 for one when time was up. Gregg Halliday made the game's top score of 59no and Stuart McPhail was 42no.

Teesside Valve and Fitting Shield

Evenwood reached the next round defeating Sedgefield by 17 runs following a high scoring game, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Nicholson contributed 63 and Forster 33 to the Evenwood total of 125 for three and replying Sedgefield ended on 108 for five in their 20 overs.

Simon Hughes led the way with 40 and there were also useful contributions from Jonathan Thompson 28 and Lewis Craggs 27. Robinson had a good night with the ball for Evenwood claiming three of the five wickets at a cost of just 21 runs.

Bishop Auckland had eight wickets to spare defeating Brandon who batting first ended with 76 for eight on the board. Jamie Robinson led the way with 22 and in the Bishops attack Atkinson had three for 16 and Nevison three for 26.

When they went to the wicket Bishops were indebted to man of the match Nevison as he carried his bat for 31. Oldfield was another batsman in good form making 30 not out as Bishops won with eight of their batsmen in tact. Young spinner Jamie Robinson claimed both Bishops wickets for just 13 runs.

Despite making a useful 101 for three Shildon went out to Esh Winning. Tweddle had no fewer than five boundaries carrying his bat for 44 and Young added 20 to the Shildon total while for Esh Ryan McCourt had two for 18 in five economical overs.

In response Esh were indebted to David Thornton who struck three boundaries out of 30, Stephen Jackson 22 not out and Michael Bussey whose 21 included one six and one four.

Federation Special Durham Senior League

Under-15 Cup

Gary Ashcroft was in excellent all round form leading South Hetton to a ten wickets victory at home to Burnmoor, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

When the visitors batted first and made the formidable total of 131 for two Ashcroft conceded only eight runs in five overs claiming one wicket. Holding, with an undefeated 63 and Scott Embleton 32, top performed with the bat for Burnmoor.

They were outshone however, by Ashcroft who in the South Hetton reply carried his bat for 60. Scott Smith gave admirable support as he too was in top form ending with 51 not out as a winning total of 135 for none was realised.

Chester-le-Street required just 53 runs for victory at Felling and they achieved the target losing two wickets. When Felling batted first and were all out for 52 they found Redfearn and Taylor both in good form with the ball and the pair each claimed a couple of wickets.

Redfearn then carried his bat for 28 and Summers remained unbeaten on 21 as Chester-le-Street replied with 53 for two.

League Under-15

The runs flowed for Chester-le-Street when the entertained Gateshead Fell at Ropery Lane, writes MALCOLM PRATT.

Andrew Smith hit one six and four boundaries in 36, Steve McTaggart had seven fours out of 32 while Chris Hazelwood (28no) and Jack Taylor (26) both found the boundary line on four occasions.

The Cestrians ended with 161 for six on the board and then restricted Gateshead Fell to 66 for three which included 21 by Errington.

Finch was in good all-round form for Durham City but could not prevent his side from losing by six wickets to Philadelphia.

When Durham made first use of the wicket Finch was the leading scorer hitting three boundaries out of 34, but Mark Wilson claimed five wickets for 20 runs in five overs reducing the home side to 91 for seven.

Replying Philadelphia had Thomas Raine in good form and he stroked seven boundaries out of 55. Alec Juniper added 17 while for Durham City Finch claimed three of the four wickets for 16 runs in 4.3 overs.

Horden managed only 37 for five and lost by nine wickets to Boldon for whom Steven Martin took two wickets for four runs and Anthony Brown two for seven.

Marsden reached 116 for four of which Andrew Raine made a top scoring unbeaten 65 and in reply Whitburn went near but at stumps only managed 110 for five leaving Marsden winners by six runs.

Hetton Lyons went down by six runs when they entertained Sunderland for whom Wake contributed 43 in a total of 102 for five. Lyons ended on 96 for nine of which Ryan Pringle made 44.