Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League: Newcastle City slightly reduced Lanchester's lead at the top of the table when they claimed maximum points from their victory over Backworth.

But despite needing only 148 runs, City had their work cut out as the five-man Backworth attack kept them at bay.

Four of the early batsmen managed just 19 runs between them before Parteger and Masood Mirza both scored 39 to retrieve the situation. When the visitors batted first, the majority of the runs came from Feroz with 45 and Mason (32).

Mirza had another good game with the ball, claiming three wickets for 30 runs and Kumar weighed in with figures of 4-42, helping City keep the pressure on Lanchester.

Despite winning by a 51-run margin at Lintz, Lanchester gained just 18 points.

Lintz never seriously threatened the visitors' total of 204-8 when early wickets went cheaply before Brewis (37) and Michael Edmunds with 25no took the score along to 153-7 at stumps.

Malcolm Small (77) and Richie Strong (42) laid the foundations in the Lanchester innings and the good work was carried on by Phil Carlin with 40.

Rytone collapsed to 32 all out at home to Tynedale. Richard Darling captured six wickets for just 11 runs in 12 overs and Henry Twizell took 4-18 in 11.3 overs. The innings lasted just 23.3 overs and in reply Tynedale needed only 7.4 overs to score 33-2, Tim Adcock crashing six fours in an unbeaten 29.

Leadgate's batsmen also found the going difficult at Ashington, where they realised only 84 in 33.2 overs. Stephen Williams had 5-34 in and James Harmison returned 4-39. The modest target was meat and drink to the Colliers, who romped home in 19.1 overs.

Annfield Plain's mini-revival came to an end at The Spa where Shotley Bridge won by 36 runs. Peter Collingwood's 64 was a vital contribution to the home side's total of 160-7 and replying the Plain made just 124-9.

Former player Donald Brown took three of the wickets. Swalwell had 99 runs in hand on Sacriston.

Lee Shaw's 33 was the best Sacriston could produce in a total of 106 as Stephen Humble bowled an economical end taking 4-26.

Although they lost both openers cheaply, Swalwell passed 200 when Paul Dumigham added a half-century. Whickham are still ahead in Division A2. Once again, it was Michael Brundle who led the side to victory at Greenside when he made 111 out of a total of 201-7.