East Rainton had no difficulty maintaining pole position in Division One when they defeated fourth from top Wearmouth.

Batting first Wearmouth were restricted to 129 as Ian Kitching took five wickets for only 37 runs in 11 overs and Roy Richarson had three for 26 from the 10.4 overs he sent down. Replying East Rainton won losing just three wickets. Ashley Proud contributed 37 and Colin Henderson carried his bat for 39.

Newton Aycliffe are second and they were involved in a high scoring thriller with Plawsworth. Batting first Plawsworth realised 212 for nine which included 36 by Ian Pratt, 34 from John Alderson and 49 by Whitfield. Williams, Davison and Mitchie all took two wickets in the Aycliffe attack and in reply, the home side won with their ninth pair at the wicket. Stuart Mitchie gave the innings the perfect send off scoring 85 before being bowled and John Williams added 49 the pair sharing a century partnership for the second wicket. Williams contributed a useful 24 and despite Peter Harwood taking three for 53 in the Plawsworth attack, Aycliffe celebrated a crucial victory.

Washington third from top, had only nine runs to spare at Sunderland Hospitals. Bewick carried his bat for 64, William Plender added 26 and Thompson 20 to the Washington total of 147 for seven. Shaw returned four for eight in the Hospitals attack.

When they replied the home side were given a good send off by Duncan Forrest with 25 and Shaw added 43. Bennett carried his bat for 24 and Tansey finished unbeaten on 15 but despite the efforts of the pair, Hospitals were only 138 for nine when the overs expired. Alan Kitchen was in super form with the ball for Washington taking five for 19 runs.

Hunwick ended on 191 for eight and then dismissed Medomsley for just 84. Alderson (38), J Pratt with an unbeaten 50 and C Pratt (38) were the principal contributors for the visitors while for Medomsley, Vickers claimed four for 33 and Dixon two for 50.

When they went into bat, Medomsley were soon in difficulties especially against the bowling of Little who ended with five for 17.

Littletown made a healthy 170 for nine but still lost at Simonside who had three wickets remaining. Smith (36) raised the hopes of Simonside but it was the unbroken partnership for the eighth wicket between Bunker (46) and Wold (32no) which won the day for Simonside. Ricketts was the most successful bowler for Littletown claiming three for 40 runs.

When they made first use of the wicket, Littletown made a poor start but Andy Woollett (35) and McDonald with a well played 61 retrieved the position and 25 from Ricketts enabled a useful score to be posted even though Haynes returned four for 28 and Main three for 56 in the Simonside attack.

Coxhoe overtook the Coundon total of 144 with six wickets remaining, their two opened contributed just 16 runs between them but Whitfield who went in at number three remained unbeaten on 43 and Broomfield contributed 42. Two of the four wickets to fall were taken by Hardy at a cost of 34 runs and the other two were claimed by Tobin for 36 runs.

Batting first, Coundon were indebted to Liddle (31) and to Timms, who finished undefeated on 57 after going in at number four. Appleby had a splendid day in the Coxhoe attack capturing five for just 20 runs and Strange took four for 42.

In Division Two, Belmont remain top of the table following their seven wickets win at North Bitchburn. Noble took five for 31 and Oliver four for 37 restricting North Bitchburn to only 74 which included 31 not out by Tennick. Although Belmont lost three wickets they were never in danger and won losing just three wickets.

Burnhope are second and veteran Alan Selway 55, starred in his team's six wickets victory at home to Whiteleas. When the visitors made first use of the wicket Selway was in outstanding form and from eight overs, two of which were maidens, he captured five wickets for a mere 19 runs.

Whiteleas were all out for 133 in 34 overs and their top performers were Scott Baxter, who had five boundaries in 33 and Gavin Peterson with 30 which included a couple of sixes and three fours.

Replying Burnhope won losing just four wickets in 21.3 overs. Richie Omar scored 43 before being run out after hitting one six and eight fours while opening batsman Alan Mills finished unbeaten on 40, with six boundaries.

Littletown posted the big total of 165 for six at home to Kibblesworth whose batsmen also struck form replying with 191 for nine.

In the Littletown innings, openers Davis (58) and Russell (30) gave the side a good send off before Nixon also scored 58 and Chapplow finished undefeated on 41.

When they went to the wickets Kibblesworth lost three early wickets before opening Wilson (59) found an able partner in Smith who ended unbeaten on 43 out of a total of 191 for nine which included a useful 21 by Laverick. Hart (3-58) was the top wicket taker for Littletown while Milme and Barrass both picked up a couple of wickets.

Benwell Hill crashed to 49 all out at Kelloe and lost by eight wickets. Pratt, Turnbull and Bowley all claimed three wickets at Little cost and Finney took the other wicket before Kelloe easily secured the maximum 20 points.

Washington were another side to win and gain 20 points when they hosted Tantobie. Replying to the visitors total of 166 for eight, Washington were well served by Fallon with 55 and Colledge (30). Brown, Cook and Nixon all took tow wicket for Tantobie.

Bell opened the Tantobie innings scoring 37 and Robson made 33 before English struck a half century while for Washington, Bowes returned three for 32 and Fallon three for 45.

East Rainton had 37 runs to spare in their home game with Wearmouth. Batting first, East Rainton ended on 143 for eight with runs from Ball (28) Hall (29) and Tommy Hannon with 22.

Plawsworth played their home fixture with Bearpark on Sunday and at the end of extremely low scoring game won by four wickets. Carl Pring claimed three for 17 as Bearpark were bowled out for 42.