Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Lanchester still lead the table but it was a close call for them at Ashington where they won with their last pair at the wicket.

The target of 116 looked well within their reach but when the Rutherford brothers Paul (5-48) and David with 3-38 went to work when introduced into the attack, it took an unbeaten 27 from Farouk Iqbal to see the leaders home. Andrew Donnelly made a valuable half century.

Bowlers also dominated when Ashington were restricted to only 115 all out.

Paul Thomas captured five wickets for 42 runs and Iqbal claimed three at a cost of only 35 runs.

Second-placed Newcastle City had a much easier time of it at home to third-top Tynedale, winning by six wickets. Masood Mirza and Pargeter shared six wickets as Tynedale laboured through 50 overs for just 122-9.

Backworth and Ryton look destined for relegation.

The hopes of Backworth receded still further with defeat at Lintz for whom Gary Christie produced a man-of-the-match performance.

Ryton were all out for just 80 in their home game with Swalwell for whom Stephen Humble, Kevin Dixon and Clark all took three wickets.

Sacriston's David Metcalfe struck five sixes and 13 boundaries in 107 but still finished on the losing side when Shotley Bridge won by six wickets.

Annfield Plain continue to struggle third from the basement and they lost by five wickets to Leadgate, the side immediately above them.

Whickham are stil ahead in Division A2 despite losing to Burnopfield.