Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside League: The battle for supremacy took another twist on Saturday when Newcastle City's reign at the top of the table ended after just one week.

Defeat at Shotley Bridge cost them pole position which is now occupied by Lanchester, winners over Annfield Plain.

New signing Philip Taylor was an immediate hit with Shotley Bridge. He contributed 53 to a second-wicket partnership with Paul Collingwood (49), which propelled The Spa side to almost 200.

City's reply in the early stages was promising. Opener Ahmed was joined by Pargeter for the second wicket but Donald Brown's introduction into the attack brought about a collapse in the late order and the Bridge celebrated victory by 25 runs.

Lanchester returned to the top with a four-wicket victory at home to Annfield Plain. The visitors faced a battle for runs throughout their innings and the eventual total of 116-9 looked extremely vulnerable. Banda, with 3-31 from 15 overs and Paul Thomas, whose four wickets cost just 22 runs in ten overs, were mainly responsible for the Plain's struggle and it was Banda who ensured a crucial victory for his side when he made 38.

Gary Steadman and Aldo van den Burg shared five wickets in the Plain attack. The hopes of Tynedale to keep the pressure on the leading pair receded when they lost by a couple of wickets to Ashington.

Faced with a target of 166, the Colliers were indebted to Simon Prudhoe for his 65 and to David Rutherford, who added a valuable 35. Tynedale's total of 165-8 was built around an innings of 52 by Alder, who went to the wicket at a difficult time after openers Neil Clark and Scott Kay had managed just 11 runs between them.

Leadgate's recently-appointed professional Umar again impressed, leading his side to an eight-wicket success at Backworth, where he struck 62 out of a total of 127-2.

The other two games were both curtailed by the weather. Sacriston were handily placed on 125-1 from 30 overs with Stephen Ball unbeaten on 48 when rain washed out their fixture with Ryton.

Stephen Humble, with 5-31, played the leading part in reducing Lintz to 133-6 at Swalwell, who were 20 for the loss of one wicket.