Hospitals are wounded

East Rainton maintained their strong challenge for the championship over division one when they inflicted an eight wickets defeat on Sunderland Hospitals.

The visitors laboured through 32.5 overs making just 48 and Roy Richardson claimed six wickets for 16 runs in 15 overs, six of which were maidens and Lindsay Fleming returning two for four from the four overs he bowled.

With one eye on the weather East Rainton's batsmen did not waste time and hurried to victory in 16.2 overs. Colin Henderson led the way hitting one six and five boundaries in an unbeaten 37. Both the East Rainton wickets were taken by John Surtees for 33 runs in eight overs.

Belford House made 92 but bowled Washington out for 61 to win by a 31 runs margin. Dave Francis was in good form with the bat for Belford House scoring 30 and for Washington Andy Wilkie sent down 15.4 overs, six of them maidens, in capturing seven wickets for 35 runs.

In reply the Washington batsmen also struggled and Gordon Havelock picked up seven wickets for 28 runs in 12 overs. He was ably assisted by Steve Wright with three for 28.

On a day when batsmen found wickets difficult, Wearmouth were restricted to 101 for seven, but the total was more than sufficient since Plawsworth were sent back with just 77 runs on the board.

Colin Davison. with an unbeaten 58, batted throughout the Wearmouth innings and for Plawsworth none did better than Phil Harwood with figures of six for 51.

In reply Plawsworth struggled to 77 which included a top scoring 28 by Whitfield. Dhillon, with five for 37 and Murphy (5-37), had identical figures and shared the ten wickets for Wearmouth.

Newton Aycliffe are also in the championship frame and they kept alive their aspirations defeating Littletown by six wickets. When they batted first Littletown were indebted to Vallance for his unbeaten 79 which came in a total of 134 for nine. Williams was in splendid form with the ball for Newton Aycliffe taking six wickets for 27 runs.

When they replied Newton Aycliffe were given a good send off by openers Davison (54) and Wheeler (23) before Bell, who went in at number three, carried his bat for 44 when victory was achieved with six wickets in tact.

Benwell Hill struggled to 64 all out in their home game with Medomsley for whom Ernie Vickers took four for 35 and Richardson four wickets for a meagre ten runs.

Milburn played a good innings for Medomsley. He went in at number three and was still there at the end unbeaten on 49 out of a total of 109 for seven. Wright had the distinction of taking a hat-trick and finished with final figures of four for 36 for Benwell Hill.

In Sunday's programme Newton Aycliffe hosted Belford House and won by five wickets. Faced with a target of 85 they were indebted to Roberts for his 32 and to Wheeler who finished with 32 not out. Wright claimed three of the five wickets to go down in four overs and Aycliffe batsmen secured the necessary runs from 20 overs.

Batting first Belford House were dismissed for 84 which included 36 by Gary Pickering and for Aycliffe Coleby returned the excellent figures of four for eight and Williams claimed three wickets for seven runs.

Plawsworth, playing their home games at Durham City, comfortably defeated Benwell Hill. Taylor (30no) and John Gott (41no) enabled Plawsworth to total 175 for six when the pair were involved in a productive unbroken partnership for the seventh wicket. John Weatherhead claimed three for 50 in the Benwell Hill attack and replying the visitors were all out for 133 as John Gott completed a good game by taking five for 40 and Kevin Jones picked up three wickets for 42 runs.

Sunderland Hospitals overtook the Washington total of 110 with four wickets left mainly as a result of an innings from Robbie who contributed 35. When Washington batted first Bewick top scored with 34 in a total of 110 and for Hospitals John Surtees captured six wickets for 49 runs.

East Rainton maintained their position at the top of the table with an eight wickets victory at Medomsley who totalled 89 for nine with Eric Vickers their top scorer with 38. Ian Kitching returned four for ten for East Rainton before Gordon Steel led his side to victory scoring an unbeaten 37.

Wearmouth posted the formidable total of 229 for seven when they visited Coxhoe who replied with 102. Michael Dench, with 84 and Peter Stronach (46) led the way in the Wearmouth innings and for Coxhoe Wilson claimed four wickets for 32 runs. Dhillon (7-44) and Stronach (3-43) then played pivotal roles in dismissing Coxhoe for 102.

In Saturday's division two programme Simonside defeated Burnhope by six wickets. When the home side batted first they were all out for 98 in 20.1 overs as Paul Haine returned the magnificent figures of eight for 44 in 10.1 overs. Simonside secured the necessary runs in 33.4 overs, losing four wickets as David Costello contributed 32 with four boundaries.

Bearpark defeated Belmont by seven runs despite batting with only eight men. They reached the creditable total of 142 with runs from Hazel (37) and Parker with 46. Peacock took four wickets for 48 runs in the Belmont attack and replying the visitors were all out for 135. Doolan, who opened the innings, top scored with 46 and in the Bearpark attack none did better than Willis with six for 31 and Smith who claimed three wickets for 65 runs.

Wearmouth managed only 78 at Washington who won without losing a wicket. Ahmed took five wickets for 40 runs in the Washington attack before Fallen hit an unbeaten 50 in partnership with Guy, who remained unbeaten on 20.

In Sunday's programme Belmont defeated Plawsworth by 44 runs. Despite Robinson returning six for 49 Belmont reached 144 for nine with Reynolds contributing 32. Plawsworth were then all out for 100 with Welsh taking three for nine and Robinson three for 25.

Simonside had 132 runs in hand over Tantobie. Their total of 200 for four came mainly from Mark Thompson with 80 and Paul Thompson with 41 before David Costello added 33. Responding Tantobie were dismissed for 68 with Paul Haines taking three for 19 and Paul Thompson four for 26