There was a double programme at the weekend giving sides the opportunity to challenge East Rainton's supremacy at the top of Division One.

East Rainton, though, completed a double defeating Newton Aycliffe and Sunderland Hospitals. On Saturday, Aycliffe made a respectable 204 for nine which included a century by Stuart Mitchie. Roy Richardson took three for 35 and Gary Humphries three for 66 for East Rainton, who in reply secure the necessary runs losing only half of their wickets. Colin Henderson set the scene scoring 40, Ashley Proud added 59 and towards the end Derek Aylesbury carried his bat for 28 and Jason Logan made 38 not out.

Plawsworth, meanwhile, had 35 runs in hand visiting Medomsley. Batting first, Plawsworth totalled 2-0 for five from their 45 overs with both Ian Pratt and John Alderson making half centuries. Pratt had nine fours in 57 while Alderson ended on 63 before Peter Harwood carried his bat for 42 with a couple of sixes and three fours.

In reply, Medomsley lost a couple of early wickets but Mark Dixon recorded seven fours making 49 and Paul Ringer had a couple of sixes and seven boundaries contributing 63 to the final total of 174.

The outcome turned on the introduction of Michael Fletcher into the attack as third change and he took a hat trick in five for seven from 3.3.overs. Harwood completed a good day returning three for 28 from the 12 overs he sent down.

Simonside hosted Washington and won by 40 runs following a high scoring game. David Connolly (32), T Main (60) and Thompson (39) were the main contributors to the Simonside total of 215 all out. William Plender claimed three wickets for 51 runs and Alan Kitchen took three for 58.

Responding, Washington were dismissed for 175 which including 38 by Lyall, 36 from Sowle and also 36 by Thompson. Main claimed three for 35 and Thompson three for 31 in the Simonside attack.

After realising 202 for eight, Coxhoe bowled out Littletown for just 112. Appleby and Bloomfield both struck half centuries for the home side and for Littletown, Bede captured five for only 31 runs. When they went into bat Littletown were given a good start by opener Davies (37) but the innings never gained momentum in the face of some excellent bowling particularly by Bloomfield, who captured six for a mere five runs. Wilkinson and Strange shared the other four wickets.

Hospitals were all out for just 80 in their local derby with Wearmouth. Gary Pickering took four for 17, Ray Morgan three for 27 and Bomaker three for 18 before Wearmouth went on to win losing just two wickets. Wright (25 no) and Waymann (19 no) shared an unbroken partnership for the third wicket.

Coundon posted the healthy total of 218 for eight but won by just 24 runs when Hunwick went very close in their reply. After losing an early wicket, Hunwick took the game to their opponents through a second wicket stand between Alderson (68) and Pratt (42) before Keegans added a valuable 41 but when Bell, brought on as third change in the Coundon attack, picked up three wickets for 30 runs the innings fell just short of the required total.

When Coundon made first use of the wicket both their opening batsmen Timms and Petrie made half centuries and Askew ended unbeaten on 36 out of a total of 2318 for eight. Fleming was the most successful of the five bowlers used by Hunwick and he finished with three for 42.

On Sunday, East Rainton consolidated pole position with a big victory at home to Sunderland Hospitals. Alan Maskell hit 112 and Colin Henderon 106 not out leading East Rainton to 271 for two before the declaration was applied.

Even though they claimed just two wickets, Hospitals were awarded five bowling bonus points because of East Rainton's declaration but when they replied Hospitals were nowhere near their target when time was up. They managed only 139 for eight which included 36 by Gary Shaw, 31 from Wayne Shaw and 32 by Glen Shaw. John Roberts took four for the eight wickets to fall for just 25 runs and Philip Wright returned three for 40.

Washington had 17 runs to spare over Newton Aycliffe, who lost for the second successive day. Thompson (35), William Plender (37) and Alan Kitchen (30) were the main scorers in the Washington total of 167 for eight before Newton Aycliffe were all out for 150. Davies carried his bat for 41 and in the Washington attack none did better than Hebron with three for 42.

Plawsworth enjoyed a big win in their fixture with Simonside. Batting first, Plawsworth ended on 246 for nine which included 101 by Stephen Peel, 43 from John Prested and 30 from Peter Harwood. Haynes with three for 63 and Thompson (4-57) took most of the wickets before Simonside responded and ended with 184 on the board. Thompson scored 49, Phinn 47 and David Connolly 30 while in the Plawsworth attack Peel had three for 24 and Jones four for 44.

In Division Two, North Bitchburn were another side to pass the 200 mark in Saturday's programme. After losing early wickets comparatively cheaply, North Bitchburn recovered through Graham Lee whose unbeaten 45 included a six and four fours. Ray Snaith had a couple of sixes and five boundaries making 38 and Ian Tennick took one six and six boundaries carrying his bat for 42 out a total of 202 for seven. Gray was the most productive bowler in the six-man Burnhope attack ending with four for 30.

When they replied, Burnhope were all out in 27 overs for just 80 as Lee claimed three for 14 in 11 overs including four maidens and Paul Davison had three for ten. Tennick followed up his good performance with the bat returning two for 32.

Runs were in short supply for Bearpark visiting Benwell Hill where they managed just 69 all out as Askell claimed five of the wickets for just 28 runs and Both Dave McKay and Paul Dunsford too two wickets each. The target was easy for Benwell Hill and after losing three wickets Chambers and John Weatherhead both finished unbeaten on 20 in a seven wickets victory.

Littletown had five wickets in hand of Whiteleas. The visitors eventually ended on 106 all out as Nixon took three for 13 and Mason, Barrass and Milne all grabbed a couple of wickets. Responding, Littletown were indebted to open Russell, who batted throughout for an unbeaten 24 and to Chaplow who top scored with 39.

Runs flowed when Washington entertained Kibblesworth. Batting first Washington realised 206 for nine which included 34 by Bewick and 62 from Fallon. Wilson took four for 40 and Laverick four for 66 for Kibblesworth replying were restricted to 164 for nine.

East Rainton managed only 125 all our but then bowled out Kelloe for just 120. Reay with five for 32 and Hall (3-31) won the game with the ball for East Rainton but Turnbull almost claimed victory for Kellow when he carried his bat for 53 batting at number eight.

Colledge was the pick of the East Rainton batsmen making 35 and for Kelloe Pratt took four for 20, Turnbull two for 29 and Bowary two for 38.

Belmont overtook the Plawsworth total with four wickets in hand. Faced with a target of 101 they were indebted to runs down the order particularly from Noble with 26 and Doolan who remained undefeated on 22. Robinson and Corner both took two for Plawsworth who, batting first, were dismissed for 101 which included 33 not out by Smith.

In Sunday's matches Palwsworth had just two runs to spare at Kibblesworth. Batting first, the visitors were all our for 127 as Laverick took four for 28 and Bush three for 33 but in reply Kibblesworth made only 125 which included 34 by Wilson. Lawrence Davey claimed four for 26 runs and Karl Pring four for 28 for Plawsworth.

Washington defeated Bearpark by 54 runs. Batting first Washington ended on 174 for nine mainly due to the efforts of Fallon with 49 and Lee who contributed 31 while for Bearpark Berry took three of the nine wickets for just 12 runs. In response Bearpark were all out for 120 which included 41 by Hazell.

North Bitchburn were dismissed for just 59 when Fowden claimed six wickets for just 31 runs. Batting first, Whiteleas finished with 133 of which Peterson scored 31 while for North Bitchburn, Davieson had three for 27.

Belmont produced 256 for seven in their game with Littletown. Ian Steel led the way with 94, Doolan added 52 and Errington 44 and for Littletown Hart had three for 58 and Barrass three for 59. Responding Littletown posted 169 of which Maddix scored 51 and Kavanagh 31 not. Phil Haves took six wickets for only 41 runs when Tantobie were dismissed for 78 and Benwell Hill went on to win but not before conceding seven of their wickets.