Darlington and District League

Barton maintained their challenge for the title of Division A with an emphatic ten wickets victory at home to lowly Witton-le-Wear.

The visitors battled through 25.4 overs scoring 59 which included 21 by Pinfold. Ray Headon was in sparkling form for Barton and in ten overs, four of which were maidens, he returned the excellent figures for five for 21. James Frankland, David Miller and Jimmy Bell all claimed one wicket.

Responding Barton hurried home in just eight over without conceding a wicket. Bell carried his bat for 21 with a couple of boundaries and Dave McEfee had two sixes and five fours in 39 not out.

Cockerton edged to a three wickets victory visiting Middleton St George, who managed to total 104 all out for 25 overs. Stephen Farrow returned the excellent figures of five for 39 in 13 overs and Alan Rennie had three for 42 in his nine overs spell.

When they replied Cockerton were indebted to openers Tomlin for his 19 and for Lee who made 20 before Lethbridge made a valuable 28 taking his team to 106 for seven.

Joe Binks sent down nine overs for Middleton St George and picked up three wickets 34 runs and Anjab Hussein took three for 35 in his 17 overs, five of which were maidens.

Walker returned figures of three for 24, May three for 23 and Bellwood three for 25, when Raby Castle were all out for 117 in their home game with Barningham who won for the loss of four wickets.

Following an uncertain start to their wickets, Barningham replied through Lowes with 33 and May who carried his bat for 31. Jones captured three of the four wickets to go down for 20 runs.

Second top Rockliffe Park lost by three wickets to leaders Heighington. Batting first the Park were dismissed for 124 which included 34 by Cundy and 34 by Garbutt, while for Heighington, Waite returned the excellent figures of four for 19 and Boocock had four for 41.

In reply Heighington lost openers Campbell and Riley for a combined total of 24 runs, but Walker, who went in at number three, steadied the innings and his contribution of 37 was invaluable to a three wickets success. Garbutt took four for 49 and Raby two for 40 in the Rockliffe Park attack.

A hat-trick by Groves, who finished with six for 30, was the highlight of Spennymoor's 65 runs victory at Ingleton. Despite an opening 33 by Stuart Laundy and 23 from Stuart Dawson, Ingleton were all out for 75 as Groves ended with match winning figures of six for 30 and Troup returned four for 41.

Batting first Spennymoor ended on 140 with Ross making 35 and man of the match Groves 46. Wood, introduced as first change into the Ingleton attack, finished with five wickets for 23 runs and Laundy claimed four for 78.

Aldbrough St John defeated Eryholme by two wickets. Their match winner was opening batsman Wood who batted throughout and finished 83 not out in a total of 124 for eight.

Walker returned figures of four for 53 and King three for 36 for Eyrholme, who batting first posted 119 for nine which included a top scoring 29 by opener Warne.

Wood, later to be Aldbrough's match winner with the bat, also performed well with the ball claiming four wicket for 39 runs.

He complemented Mathias whose four wickets were taken at a cost of just 28 runs.

Haughton continue to lead Division B, although they now share pole position with Trimdon CCA following their defeat by Brompton-on-Swale, which was Haughton's first reverse of the season.

McGough was undoubtedly the match winners for Brompton and he was just three runs short of a century when he was bowled, but by then his side was on the way to a match winning total of 170 for five.

When Haughton made first use of the wicket they ended with 169 for four which included 40 by McGuire and 32 from Wilkinson.

Trimdon CCA are level on points with Haughton, but they too suffered defeat at Heighington. Batting first Trimdon ended with 131 which included a top scoring 25 by O'Donnell and for Heighington Jameson captured five wickets for 58 runs and Sowerby three for 17.

Sowerby followed up his good work with the ball hitting an unbeaten 57 when he opened the Heighington innings. He formed a first wicket stand with Miller (29) and later found another able partner in Hirst who remained undefeated on 33 as Heighington made 133 for two.

Lands were all out in 16 overs for just 44 after Middleton-in-Teesdale had struggled through 25.3 overs scoring 67.

Paul Dalton sent down 8.3 overs claiming three for 30 and Mark Little bowled seven overs when he took three wickets for seven runs in the Lands attack.

The match winner, however, was Middleton's Anthony Coatesworth who in eight exciting overs picked up seven wickets for as miserly 16 runs.

Cliffe had 60 runs to spare when they won at King James who managed only 81 for six when they batted second.

Opener Davison batted throughout the innings and finished undefeated on 39 while for Cliffe Bowes took two for 13 and Johnson two for four.

When Cliffe batted first opener Rogerson top scored with 56 and Braithwaite added a useful 28 before Curry finished unbeaten on 27. Brack was the most successful bowler in the four-man King James attack, taking three of the five wickets to fall for 60 runs.

East Cowton made the healthy total of 181 for four but still lost to Dales who responded with 185 for four.

In the East Cowton innings none did better than Grant who finished with 73 not out after going in at number three. Opener Clark added 26 and Tucker made 38.

For Dales, opening batsman Lawson contributed 29, Winter 47 and Richardson 60 and for East Cowton Tucker took three wickets for 82 runs.

Catterick Village were skittled out for 21 when they visited Middleton Tyas. Baxter returned the magnificent figures of seven wickets at a cost of four runs and Wilkinson ended with three for 16.

When Middleton Tyas made first use of the wicket they realised 132 for five which included 45 by Wilkinson and an unbeaten 27 from Williams while for Catterick Village Coultish picked up three of the five wickets for 44 runs and two wickets were taken by Swainston for 44 runs.

l New clubs wishing to join the Darlington and District League (Saturday, Sunday or Junior League) should send applications to Mr Peter Jackson, League Secretary, 14 Sudburn Avenue, Staindrop, Darlington, Co Durham, DL2 3JY.

B Division Cup

Semi-finals: Haughton 134 for 0, Heighington II 51 for 6.

Dales 61 for 8, Trimdon CCA 60 all out.

Final: Haughton v Dales - at Feethams, on Wednesday, July 3 (6pm)

C Division League Cup

Semi-final: Lands II 114 for 5, Cockerton II 110 for 3.

Haughton II 109 for 4, Spennithorne & Harmby 110 for 2.

Final: Spennithorne & Harmby v Lands II. To be played Sunday, July 7 at Barton CC (3pm).

Cec Leece Knockout Cup

Quarter-finals: Barton 110 for 6, Rockcliffe Park 106 all out.

Heighington 204 for 3, Aldbrough St John 72 all out.

Middleton St George 169 for 4, Cockerton 125 for 6.

Eryholme conceded fixture to King James

Semi-finals: Barton v Heighington, King James v Middleton St George. To be played Monday, July 8.