Champions East Rainton were denied the opportunity to play their last game of the season when Belford House conceded their game. This is a rare occurrence in the league. Coundon completed their programme with a 65 runs victory at home to Plawsworth when runs were plentiful.

Batting first, Coundon ended on 236 all out as the runs flowed from Dave Shotton with 37, John Askew (65) and Peter Rodgerson (35) while for Plawsworth, Kevin Jones took 3-64 from 12.2 overs and Peter McMahon 3-27 from the six overs which he sent down. When they replied, Plawsworth were all out for 171 which included 41 by Mike Browbank. Coundon used eight bowlers in the attack with and four of them Atkinson, Rodgerson, Liddle and Askew all took two wickets apiece. Washington defeated Little Town by six wickets after restricting the home side to 121-6 which included 47 by Andy Woollett.

Newton Aycliffe dismissed Coxhoe for just 83 with Alan Mitchie taking 3-9 and John Williams 3-19 while for the home side Trevor Southern top scored with 35. Batting first Newton Aycliffe posted 191-7 with Stuart Mitchie making 34, Peter Roberts 62 not out and Davis on 34. Five of the seven wickets to fall were taken by Maddison for 70 runs.

Medomsley romped to 230-8 and at the end of a highscoring game Hospitals responded with 196-8. Dixon was man of the match, scoring 91 for Medomsley before taking six wickets for 81 runs while for Hospitals, Surtees top performed with 35 but a number of other players made useful additions to the total. Peter Stronach captured seven wickets for just 34 runs and Benwell Hill were back in the pavilion for just 103 which included 39 by Dunsford. Mattie Dench then batted throughout the Wearmouth reply and his unbeaten innings of 67 led the Wearsiders to a nine wickets victory.

In Division Two, Burnhope had six wickets to spare over Whitelees who were restricted to 72 by the bowling of Freddie Greer, who returned 5-39 from 14 overs and John Spark whose 13.2 overs produced figures of 4-29.

Responding, Burhope conceded four wickets before winning in 15.4 overs. Alan Mills finished undefeated on 30 hitting one six and three fours, while for Whitelees Peter Sowden took three of the four wickets to go down for 23 runs in eight overs.

Washington totalled 220-6 in their home game with champions Simonside whom they defeated by a margin of 36 runs. Colledge (74no) and Thomson (44) were the principal scorers for Washington and for Simonside, Haynes claimed 3-69.

When they replied, Thompson (42), Parkes (33) and Wold, with an unbeaten 63 raised the hopes of Simonside but at stumps they managed just 184-6.

North Bitchburn defeated Kelloe by 67 runs. Faced with a target of 182, Kelloe were all out for 113 of which McDonald contributed 48 and for North Bitchburn Tennick had 5-77 and Lee 3-31. Batting first, North Bitchburn finished with 181-6 on the board which included a half century by Dawson and 49 from Dunn.

Hunwick totalled almost 200 before restricting Belmont to 133-7. Alderson hit 100 and Urwin 38 out of the home sides total of 196-4 with Peacock taking 3-85 for Belmont.

Replying, Belmont made only 133-7 which included 33 not out by Reynolds.

Tantobie had just nine runs in hand of Kibblesworth at the end of an entertaining game. Halgarth, with 67 not out, and Petre (37) scored most of the runs when Tantobie realised 168-6 and replying, Kibblesworth finished with 159-9. Their top scorer was Wilson with 45 and for Tantobie John Crook took 3-34. Bearpark edged two way to wickets of victory visiting Plawsworth who ended on 168-8 of which Brooks scored 52 and Raju an unbeaten 43 while for Bearpark, Fitchard claimed three wickets for 40 runs and both Lishman and Smith took wickets.

Although Karl Pring captured 3-24 Bearpark won losing eight wickets. Their match winners with a bat were Parker (30) and Smith (44) while towards the end Fritchett contributed a valuable 29.

Bass North Cleveland League

Norton sent The Merlin crashing to just 39 all out in 18 overs as Alan Harker claimed six wickets for a mere 11 runs in nine overs, three of which were maidens.

Although Norton lost three wickets, they were never in danger and youngster Daniel Brooks carried his bat for 20 hitting four boundaries.

Runs were also in short supply when Paragonians met Staithes who were all out for 60 but still won by a margin of 31 runs.

Skelton Castle ended on 79 for seven and gained a draw with Normanby Parklands. Shoaib took three of the wickets for 22 runs and when Normanby Parklands batted first they realised 178 for five with most of the runs coming from Shoaib who finished with 70 not out and McNulty (42).

After totalling 135 for nine Loftus could only draw with Dormans who were 109 for eight at stumps. Pearson (31) and Severs (36) top performed for Loftus and for Dormans Dale took four for 52 and Hussein three for 30.

Replying Dormans were in with a chance when Hussein (33) was at the wicket, but following his dismissal the innings ended on 109 for eight as Smithies claimed three of the wickets for 27 runs. Boosbeck conceded their match with Jack Hatfields.

The two games scheduled for division two were both played and ended in draws. New Marske totalled 143 for seven including 35 by opening batsman Payne against Moorsholm for whom Allison claimed four wickets for 42 and Bangay three for 65.

When they went into bat Keith Harding (21) and Ward (31) gave the Moorsholm innings a good start and Allison carried his bat for 38 but at stumps the visitors were only 122 for nine. Ovington took five for 20 and Alderson four for 38.

In the other game Loftus were 177 for eight against Normanby Parklands when the match had to be abandoned because of rain. Shaw with 40 not out and Morrison 30 were in good form for Loftus and in the Parklands attack none did better than McGough who returned five for 66.