Reader's mixed day

Alan Reader returned an unusual bowling analysis for Normanby Parklands at The Merlin. In six overs he conceded just seven runs all to wide balls, but in the process he also captured five wickets and The Merlin were back in the pavilion after 32 overs with 63 runs on the board. In reply Normanby Parklands made 64 for two from 23 overs as Ramzan carried his bat for 26 when he opened the innings and Dave McNulty added 25.

Staithes had 89 runs to spare at Skelton Castle where they totalled 154 for eight batting first. Ward was their top marksman with 43 and there were useful contributions from Theaker with 24 and Young who ended unbeaten on 23.

Wrigley returned three for 29, Gratton two for 21 and Riley two for 33 for Skelton Castle who in reply were all out for 65 which included an unbeaten 28 by Gratton who went in at number five.

Sayers did most of the damage for Staithes and in an inspired spell of bowling he picked up six wickets for 23 runs.

Boosbeck ended on 139 for six when they entertained Hinderwell who won losing four wickets. Weatherhead with 42 top performed for Boosbeck who were grateful for an innings of 29 by Lorrains and an unbeaten 21 from Hodgson.

Marsay claimed five of the six wickets to fall for 51 runs and replying Hinderwell won losing four wickets. Sibbalds (35) and Bowes who finished unbeaten with 50, were the batsmen who propelled Hinderwell to victory.

Ormesby Hall were dismissed for 63 when they visited Dormans for whom Dale captured five wickets for 21 runs and Noor three for 12.

When they made first use of the wicket Dormans totalled 150 for six with Iqbal contributing 38, Hussain 39 and Dale an undefeated 37. McCabe with three for 68 took half the wickets to fall and both Davies and Cook took one wicket apiece.

The match between Norton and Jack Hatfield was drawn. Jack Hatfield posted the respectable total of 185 for nine with Hadfield scoring 55 and Pearce 49. Congdon was in good form with the ball for Norton picking up four wickets for 53.

When Norton went into bat they quickly had their backs to the wall, but an undefeated 21 by Watson earned them a draw as their score totalled 76 for seven by the time the overs expired. Dawson with two for 15, Balal (2-19) and Hadfield whose two wickets cost 12 runs, were the bowlers who in the main caused Norton their problems.

In division two Loftus ended on 157 for nine defeating Blacksmiths Arms by 81 runs. Tyreman scored 82 including nine boundaries before being run out and he shared a partnership of 100 with Bowman whose 37 had one six and four fours.

Colin Prosser sent down 17 overs, for of which were maidens, in returning figures of four for 50 and Ray Hann had three for 27 in his nine overs.

When Blacksmiths Arms responded they were back in the pavilion after 30 overs with just 76 runs on the board. Morrison picked up three wickets for 24 runs in ten overs and Shaw returned four for 26 from the 12 overs he sent down in the Loftus attack.

New Marske could only make 23 at Normanby Parklands where the game was over quickly. Fox captured four wickets for two runs and McGough two for nine for Normanby Parklands who despite winning easily conceded four wickets before reaching a winning margin of 24 runs. Porritt took three for four wickets to fall for just nine runs.

Cowpen Bewley faired only marginally better than New Marske and were reduced to 34 for six at Brotton who won losing three wickets. Carr with three wickets for 13 runs top performed with the ball in the Brotton attack.

Langbaurgh League

Crathorne managed only 59 all out when they hosted Broughton and Kirby. Blayden returned the excellent figures of six for 59 in 15.2 overs, six of which were maidens and Smith took four for 23 from the 15 overs he bowled.

When Broughton and Kirby batted first they reached 120 for nine and most of their runs came from K Robinson with 40.

Murdoch had a good day with the ball for Crathorne capturing five wickets for 26 runs in seven overs. Bruce claimed two for 28 in 14 overs and Leng had figures of two for 51 from his 12 overs stint.

Kirby Sigston visited Stafford and won an exciting match by just four runs. Faced with a target of 131 Stafford Place were restricted to 126 for nine from their 40 overs. Liam O'Donoghue put them in with a chance scoring 35 and Smith added 24 before Lawrence carried his bat for 23 but eventually time ran out for the home team as Kevin Clarkson conceded 48 runs in 20 overs, six of which were maidens and captured five wickets. Batting first Kirby Sigston were all out for 130 and David Thompson was their top scorer with 33 hitting three sixes and two boundaries. Mally Graves had a good day with the ball for Stafford Place returning six for 74 from 19.5 overs.

He was ably assisted by Brent Smith with three for ten in his eight overs, four of them maidens.

Thimbleby were dismissed for 86 at home to Maltby who won by seven wickets. Close, with five wickets for 27 runs and Covell (4-15) were the bowlers who did most of the damage for Maltby. Close completed a good day by top scoring with 48 in the Maltby reply of 88 for three.

Kildale were just one run short of 200 in defeating Swainby by 75 runs.

Corcoran was the Kildale hero and he finished undefeated on 100 out of a total of 199 for four.

Despite a useful innings of 34 by M Kerr batting at number four and an unbeaten 21 from Beadle, Swainby were all out for 124 as Pearson took four wickets for 25 runs and Dave Doughty three for 26.

Hutton Rudby totalled 126 for nine before losing by seven wickets to Scruton. Paterson (25) and Jones with 39, were the principal contributors for Hutton Rudby and for Scruton Howe claimed four wickets for 45 runs and Barritt three for 35. Responding Scruton had opener Barker in top form and he batted throughout the innings for 48 not out. Norman added 21 when he shared the first wicket partnership and Barritt was involved in an unbroken stand for the fourth wicket for Barker. Barritt's contribution was 23 not out.

Foster's Northumberland and Tyneside U15 League

When Chris Tilley took three wickets for 16 runs in four overs, David Appleton two for five from three overs and Mark Fort two for seven in an economical five overs spell, Greenside were all out for 42 when they hosted Sacriston. Scott top scored with 16. Replying Sacriston lost three wickets but were never in danger.

Tilley carried his bat for 14 and Craig Burke made 15 while for Greenside Anthony Scott captured two of three wickets to fall for ten runs.

Burnopfield defeated Crookhall by eight wickets. Faced with a target of 60 they were indebted to Marcus Peart who again showed form as he remained unbeaten on 34. Lee Stoneman, another talented youngster at Burnopfield, contributed 20.

When Crookhall batted first they were all out for 59 which included 21 by Gordon. Stoneman collected three wickets for 15 runs, Peart returned figures of three for 27 and Chris Snowball took three wickets for just two runs.

Lanchester defeated Lintz by ten wickets after restricting their opponents to 31 for four,

Swalwell overtook the Annfield Plain score of 52 for three with eight wickets left and Blaydon won by seven wickets at Tantobie. Johnson, with three for 21, pegged Tantobie to 63 for seven before Miller carried his bat for 26 in the Blaydon reply of 66 for three.

Federation Special Durham Senior League U15 Cup Final

South Hetton celebrated their first season in the league defeating Chester-le-Street by four wickets when the sides met in the U15 League Cup final.

The Cestrians, who batted first, ended on 86 for five with Martin Stephenson top scoring on 28. John Maddison bowled well in the South Hetton attack and in five overs conceded only 19 runs taking two wickets.

When they replied South Hetton had Kyle Bradbury once again in top form and the talented youngster his six boundaries in an unbeaten 40. Although Luke Evans returned two for 12 from five overs, John Coxon (2-21) also in a five overs stint and Martin Stephenson (2-16) in 4.5 overs, South Hetton edged to victory