East Rainton suffered their first defeat in 20 outings but still enjoy a comfortable lead at the top of Division One.

Third placed Newton Aycliffe were the winners by a seven wickets margin when they overtook the East Rainton total of 183 for seven. Stuart Mitchie gave the innings a good send off scoring 55 before Bell carried his bat for 87.

Batting first East Rainton totalled 183 for seven of which Neil Matthews scored 28 and his opening partner Gordon Steel 38. Derek Aylesbury finished with 38 not out and for Newton Aycliffe, Alan Mitchie had three for 52 and John Williams took three for 12 runs.

Wearmouth are second but with little chance of catching East Rainton who are odds on favourite to clinch the championship.

Wearmouth managed only 102 all out as Gary Shaw captured six for a mere 12 runs but in reply, Hospitals made just 87. Peter Stronach picked up five wickets for 46 runs and Murphy four for 27 in the Wearmouth attack.

After reducing Coxhoe to 137 all out with just one ball of the 45 overs remaining, Littletown won by four wickets. Ian Whitfield top scored with 29 for Coxhoe and in the Littletown attack non did better than Chris Bede whose 9.5 overs earned him five for 44 runs. Chris Vallance and Nixon each claimed a couple of wickets.

Replying Littletown were pleased that Chris Vallance was again in good form with the bat and his innings of 39 was crucial to a four-wickets success.

Robert Maddison was the most productive bowler in the Coxhoe attack and from 19 overs he returned four wickets at a cost of 74 runs.

Plawsworth won for only the fifth time to ease their position near the bottom of the table. They had six wickets in hand of Belford House after the home side totalled 117 which included 46 by Richardson while for Plawsworth, Peter Harwood was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets for 45 runs.

When they responded, Plawsworth were in early difficulties before Burrell added 26 and Robinson finished unbeaten with 49 out of a total of 118 for four.

Benwell Hill were restricted to 126 for six replying to the Washington total of 171 for seven. Carr top scored with a half century and Fowle contributed 25 before William Plender finished undefeated on 24 for Washington.

Phil Haves, with three for 60 was the most successful bowler for Benwell Hill.

Responding, Benwell Hill ended on 126 for six which included 37 by Hamilton and 30 not out from Garden. Alan Kitchen bowled a good end for Washington with figures of three for 22.

Coundon made 114 before losing by seven wickets to Medomsley. Charlton took four for 12 and Dixon three for 31 for Medolmsley who replying had three players making at least 20. Ringer (20), Hurst (27) and Dixon (28) led their side to victory assisted by 26 extras.

Simonside continue to lead Division Two and they enhanced their promotion prospects with a seven wicket victory at Bearpark. The home side posted the formidable total of 174 for four mainly as a result of the efforts of Smith with 36, Carr (37) and Parker with an unbeaten 50. Haynes captured three for 72 runs in the Simonside attack. Replying, Simonside were given the perfect send off by M Thompson with 35 and by P Thompson, who batted throughout the innings and finished with 66 not out. Waistell contributed a valuable 33 to Simonside's emphatic victory.

Kibblesworth posted 176 for seven but still lost to East Rainton. Middlemiss (39), Wilson (44) and Laverick who ended with 38 not out were the principle scorers for Kibblesworth and for East Rainton Colledge claimed three for 42 runs.

East Rainton took up the challenge and despite losing an early wicket won with four wickets remaining. Bell scored 86 and Maskell 45 and for Kibblesworth Wilson took three for the six wickets to fall for 26 runs.

North Bitchburn were all out for 106 at Washington where they lost by eight wickets. Graham Dalton struck a couple of sixes and six boundaries contributing 46 for the visitors whose innings lasted 30.4 overs. Glen Fallon bowled a good line and length for Washington and in ten overs, including four maidens, took four for 25.

When they went into bat, Washington were quickly into their stride, opener Adrian Wood recorded five boundaries in an unbeaten 33 and Glen Fallon had two sixes and seven fours in 60 leading their side to an eight wickets victory. Both the wickets to go down were taken by Ian Kennick at a cost of 53 runs in nine overs.

Although they bowled out Whiteleas for only 80 Belmont lost by 16 runs. Noble and Peacock each took five wickets for Belmont but when Baljit took four for 26, and Hale two for 23, Belmont could only manage 64.

Kelloe scored freely in their game at Burnhope but still lost by two wickets. Bowery (57) and McDonald with an unbeaten 37 top performed in the Kelloe innings which produced a total of 179 for eight. Five of the wickets were taken by Fraser at a cost of 55 runs.

Responding, Burnhope lost four batsmen for a combined total of 17 runs before opener Gray (36) found a partner in Morrison (41).

The pair set their side on the road to victory and the good work was maintained by Laws with 34. Despite Bowery claiming four for 58 and Pratt three for 72, Kelloe lost by two wickets.