Witton are beaten by Barningham

Crisp top scored with 58 for the visitors while for Barningham Kearton took five wickets for 61 runs and Moore three for 33.

When they replied Barningham lost an early wicket, but French (52) and Lowes, who carried his bat for 45, set their side on the way to victory before Mossforth remained unbeaten also with 45 to his credit.

Rockliffe Park made only 113 but still had 16 runs to spare over Barton. Wheeler (36) and Pybus (24) formed a useful opening partnership for Rockliffe, while for Barton, seven bowlers were used in the attack and five were successful.

In reply the home side were all out for 97 mainly as a result of the bowling of Krishnan whose excellent spell of bowling early him five wickets for a meager 12 runs.

Haughton had just two wickets in hand when they overtook the Raby Castle total of 105. Scaise top scored with 41 for the visitors, while for Haughton Keen returned figures of four for 27 and Wilkinson three for 20.

When they went into bat Haughton conceded early wickets but Edwards took firm and in the end his undefeated 23 was crucial. Jones, with four for 45 and Poole three for 27 were the bowlers who almost earned victory for Raby Castle.

Heighington lost by seven wickets at home to Ingleton. Faced with a target of 115 Ingleton conceded a couple of early wickets, but Wood made a useful 26 before Stuart Dawson won the match hammering an undefeated 72.

When Heighington made first use of the wicket Riley scored 26 but the innings only produced a total of 114 for nine as Gammack claimed four wickets for 14 runs and Banks three for 37.

Catterick Village were all out for 94 at Cliffe, who won by three wickets. Swainston scored almost half the Catterick total making 43 as the batsmen struggled against the bowling of Adamson, who returned the excellent figures of six for 35.

In reply the two Cliffe openers managed just one run between them, but Rogerson ensured victory by finishing undefeated on 46 after going in at number three. Taylor took four for 45 and Gayley three for 31 in the Catterick Village attack.

Cockerton made only 81 for six replying to the Middleton St George total of 163 for nine. Batting first Middleton were indebted to Rogers for his opening contribution of 52 and to Ayub who made 73 before being run out. Glew captured five of the nine Middleton wickets to fall for just 31 runs.

In Division Three Brompton-on-Swale totalled only 83 for nine but still had 50 runs in hand defeating Aldbrough St John who were all out for only 33. Nicholson conceded on 13 runs taking five wickets and Layburn was equally effective, his five wickets costing just 17 runs.

Batting first Brompton also found run making difficult especially against the bowling of Hoyle whose four victims were taken at 21 runs.

Rockliffe Park enjoyed an 85 runs success at home to Middleton Tyas who were back in the pavilion with 53 runs on the board. Westgarth was the main wicket taker for Rockliffe Park and his seven victims cost him a mere 27 runs.

When they batted first the home side ended with 138 for five on the board which included 41 by Lowe and 39 from Pounder.

Wilkinson took three of the five wickets to go down for 33 runs.

Dales had just 14 runs in hand of Eryholme following a low scoring match. Batting first the visitors ended with 128 on top which included 56 by Lawson and for Eryholme no bowlers did better than Lynn with the excellent figures of four for 14. Both King and Walker claimed two wickets apiece.

When they replied Eryholme were pleased to have opening batsman Warne in form, but despite scoring 36 Eryholme total just 114 all out as Hutchinson claimed five wickets for 52 runs and Hird four for 27.

Spennithorne and Harmby made a useful 154 for three but still lost by seven wickets against Lands. Elstob struck 40 and Lindsley 71 not out as Lands secured an excellent seven wickets success.

Batting first Spennithorne struggled early on, but Muller carried his bat for 36 in parternship with Farrow who was 50 not out when the overs expired.

The games between East Cowton and Middleton in Teesdale and Trimdon CCA v Heighington were cancelled because grounds were unfit.

In Division C Lands comfortably defeated Cockerton after totalling 128. Tookey ended undefeated on 46 and Little made 30, while for Cockerton no bowlers did better than Dick with figures of four for 35. Replying Cockerton managed only 83 for the loss of eight wickets.

Trimdon CCA totalled just 87 but still by 22 runs against Spennymoor who were all out for 65 as Lee took four 20 and Gordon four for 22. Collingwood had a good day in the Spennymoor attack capturing three wickets for just eight runs.

Raby Castle overtook the Haughton total of 77 with seven wickets remaining and Barton won by six wickets after bowling out Aldbrough St John for 61.

Langbaurgh League

Kirby Sigston began the season with a five wickets victory visiting Scruton who they restricted to 116 for eight from the maximum 40 overs, writes Malcolm Pratt.

Neil Kendrew sent down 12 overs claiming four wickets for 50 runs, while Kevin Clarkson was particularly economical and his unchanged stint of 20 overs, which included nine maidens, cost him just 28 runs for three wickets.

In reply Kirby Sigston were indebted to Dave Thompson and man of the match Clarkson. Thompson made the game's top score of 52 which included three sixes while Clarkson had one six and three boundaries contributing 34 to the match winning total of 117 for five achieved from 37 overs.

Peter Hornsby was the most successful bowler in the Scurton attack and in 12 overs he had three for 83.

Chopgate were pegged to 89 for eight when they visited Stafford Place for whom Smith captured three wickets for 14 runs. Robson had two for 20 and both Graves and Wade claimed one wicket each.

When they went into bat Stafford Place lost six wickets, but opener Lawrence stood firm and he ended undefeated on 26 out of a match winning total of 93 for six. Riaz took three wickets for 29 runs and Vout two for 36 for Chopgate.

Roseberry Group North East Durham League

Champions East Rainton who have swept all aside in recent season suffered a defeat on the opening day of the campaign when Simonside ran out winners by a four wickets margin, writes Malcolm Pratt.

The home side posted 140 which included a good opening contribution of 30 by Gordon Steel and a late useful 28 from Roy Richardson. Barnes captured four wickets for 28 runs and Thompson had two for 23 for Simonside whose reply got off to a bad start when the first three batsmen contributed only 19 runs between them.

Gaff (30) and Thompson with an unbeaten 29 retrieved the position before Main made the top score of the innings with 37 as victory was achieved for the loss of six wickets. Gary Humphreys bowled a good end for East Rainton but despite claiming three wickets for just 24 runs and Willie Orchin two for 43, East Rainton lost for a rare occasion.

Newton Aycliffe overtook the formidable target of 170 set by Kelloe with seven overs and as many wickets in hand.

Their match winners were Stuart Mitchie who opened the innings making 44. Steven Bell was later joined by Karl Wheeler and the pair put on 121 for the unbroken fourth wicket partnership. Bell hit one six and six boundaries in an undefeated 55 while Wheeler had two sixes and two fours carrying his bat for 51.

When they batted first Kelloe realised 169 for five from their 45 overs. Top performer was Benson Turnbull who found the boundary line on two occasions and plundered one six in an unbeaten 30. Bell and Tunstall both made 23 and Allan 20 while for Newton Aycliffe slow left arm spinner Steve Davison returned the excellent figures of four for 36 from 12 overs.

Washington were in scoring mode in their first game and romped past the 200 mark when they entertained Sunderland Hospitals. Thompson made a century ending with 115 and both Cuthbertson and Lee added 23 apiece to their total of 224 for five.

Replying Hospitals were quickly in trouble and the innings closed on 89 leaving Washington winners by 135 runs. Hebron took three wickets for 15 runs, Lee three for 14 and Plender two for five.

Runs were more scarce when Hunwick met Coundon, but although they totalled only 98, Coundon still won by six runs.

Pratt claimed four for 23 and Johnson three for 29 when the visitors were bowled out for two runs less than 100 but despite 30 by Irwin batting at number three, Hunwick struggled throughout their innings before it ended on 92.

Askew captured three for 23, Hardy two for 13, Mapes two for 20 while Murray took the remaining two wickets at a cost of 34 runs.

Wearmouth overtook the Medomsley total of 89 all out with three wickets in tact. Dixon and Green both took three wickets for Medomsley but their efforts were insufficient.

Batting first Medomsley managed 89 which included a late, unbeaten 33 by Richardson. Istakar was the start of the Wearmouth attack with four for 20 while both Paul Lewis and Ward captured two wickets each.

Plawsworth, who will be playing their home games at Durham City's ground, met Belmont and it was the visitors who came out on top by seven wickets.

When they made first use of the wicket Plawsworth ended on 157 all out which included 59 by Jon Alderson and 33 from Scanlon. Oliver bowled a good end for Belmont returning nine for 49 and so too did Pat Welsh whose three wickets cost him just 23 runs.

When they replied Belmont were indebted to Ian Steel for his contribution of 54 and Brooks (33).

In division two Burnhope made a winning start defeating Medomsley by 70 runs. Making first use of the wicket Burnhope realise 203 for eight from their 45 overs as the runs flowed from Stephen Gray whose 68 included six boundaries and four sixes. Richard Omar was also in good form recording 47, while for Medomsley Stokoe claimed three of the eight wickets to go down for 68 runs.

Replying Medomsley lost early wickets before Terry Charlton (33) and Paul Dixon with an unbeaten 43 gave respectability to the eventual total of 133 for nine. John Spark was in splendid form for Burnhope and in ten overs he conceded just 17 runs taking five wickets.

Wearmouth secured a quick fire victory against Newton Aycliffe at Carley Road dismissing the visitors for 44 in 18.3 overs. Gordon Havelock took four for 18 in 4.3 overs, Ray Morgan captured two wickets without conceding a run and Murphy returned two for 16.

In reply Wearmouth coasted to a nine wickets win as Brian Sayers remained undefeated on 19.

Bearpark had 61 runs to spare in their home game with Washington. Kelly, who went in at number three, remained undefeated on 54 and Hewitt added 31 to the Bearpark total of 161 for nine. S Bowes and K Bowes each took three wickets for Washington who were all out for 100 including 20 plus scores by Bewick, Fallon and Guy.

Bell had a good day with the ball for Bearpark and his six victims cost him just 17 runs while Lishman returned figures of two for 25.

Plawsworth went down by 29 runs visiting Littletown who ended with a useful 176 for six on the board. They were given a perfect start by openers Davis with 32 and Harvey (62) while for Plawsworth McMahon took four wickets for 49 runs.

Replying Plawsworth started well with Mike Browbank making 34, but the innings eventually stumbled to 147 all out including 24 by Brooks. Strong with four for 27 and Harvey three for 35 were the bowlers who mainly kept the Plawsworth batsmen at bay.

Coxhoe were dismissed for 89 at Tantobie for whom Petrie took three wickets for 13 runs. Craig had two for 28 while for Coxhoe opener Adsett made a top scoring 27.

When they made first use of the wicket Tantobie realised a useful 170 all out. Opening batsman Hogarth made a top scoring 44 and Lodge carried his bat for 36. Oliver added 27 and in the Coxhoe attack none did better than Pratt with four for 26 and Adsett whose three victims cost him 36 runs.

Yours Forever Saunders Cup

Draw: First round (to be played by May 23): A _ Seaham Harbour v Blackhall; B _ Burnmoor v Easington; C _ Mainsforth v Shotley Bridge; D - Houghton v Whitburn; E - Marsden v South Shields; F _ South Hetton v Hartlepool; G _ Murton v Hetton Lyons; H _ Ryhope v Eppleton; I _ Darlington RA v Seaham Park; J Dawdon v Darlington; K Lanchester v Crook; L _ Boldon v Philadelphia; M _ Horden v Durham City; N Willington bye; O _ Tudhoe bye; P _ Bishop Auckland bye.

Second round (to be played by June 6): 1_ Winners of C v Tudhoe; 2 _ winners of F v L; 3 _ winners of G v winners of M; 4 _ winners of A v winners of H; 5 _winners of B v Willington; 6 _ winners of J v winners of I; 7 _ winners of v Bishop Auckland; 8 _ winners of E v winners of J;.

Third round to be played by June 20: A _ winners of 5 v winners of 8; B _ winners of 6 v winners of 3; C _ winners of 7 v winners of 2; D winners of 4 v winners of 1.

Semi-final (to be played by July 11): 1 _ winners of A v winners of B; 2 _ winners of D v winners of C.

Final: (to be played at Whitburn on Sunday August 22

City of Durham Matthew Oswald Cup

Draw: The early rounds are: Round one (to be played by June 27): Group One: Cowgate v Boldon CA; Group Two; Whitburn v Philadelphia; Murton v Houghton. Group Three; Esh winning v Mainsforth; Tudhoe v Willington. Group Four; Hartlepool v Horden.

Round two: (to be played by July 11): Group one: Blaydon v Lintz; 2 _ South Shields v Marsden; 3 _ South Northumberland v Leadgate; 4 _ Bill Quay v Cowgate or Boldon CA

Group Two: 1 - Hetton Lyons v Ryhope; 2_ Whitburn or Philadelphia v Eppleton; 3 _ Murton or Houghton v South Hetton; 4 _ Washington v Kibblesworth.

Group Three: 1_ Chester-le-Street v Esh Winning or Mainsforth; 2 _ Crook v Durham City; 3 _ Brandon v Langley Park; 4 _ Etherley v Tudhoe or Willington.

Group Four: 1 _ Stockton v Hartlepool or Horden; 2 _ Norton v Normanby Hall; 3 _ Guisborough v Redcar; 4_ Blackhall v Middlesbrough.