Roseberry Group North East Durham League

East Rainton continue to lead division one following their ten-wicket defeat of Belford House who were back in the pavilion with 70 runs on the board.

Ian Kitching claimed three wickets for ten runs, John Ball took three for six and John Roberts two for 21 before Neil Matthews, with an unbeaten 45, Gordon Steel (23no) led East Rainton to an outstanding victory.

Sunderland Hospitals are second and they had four wickets in hand of Medomsley.

Batting first Medomsley were dismissed for 85 and Ringer who went in at number three, scored no fewer than 51 of his side's runs hitting one six and six boundaries.

Replying Sunderland Hospitals lost six wickets, three of them to Gary Dixon, for 38 runs in 12 overs.

Newton Aycliffe maintained their good form winning for the third time by defeating Coxhoe with seven wickets in hand.

Coxhoe batted 34.3 overs scoring 82 and the game was a personal triumph for Newton Aycliffe's 17-year-old Ian Maddison who with nine for 39 from 17.3 overs, returned the second best bowling figures in the history of the club.

Newton Aycliffe won in 22.4 overs as Karl Wheeler (27), Stephen Bell (20) and Stuart Mitchie (18no) led their side to victory.

Benwell Hill looked home and dry when the posted the formidable total of 29 for five but Wearmouth came within five runs of winning replying with 225 all out.

Dunsford struck a magnificent 130 and Hamilton 40 for Benwell and for Wearmouth runs flowed from Will Ferry (64) and Bowmaker (38). Phil Haves had a superb day in the Benwell Hill attack taking eight of the nine wickets which fell to the bowlers for 76 runs.

Littletown had 58 runs to spare when they visited Washington. Batting first the visitors ended on 170 which included 51 by Nixon and 93 from Andy Woollett. Wilkie captured seven for 52 for Washington and when the home side replied they totalled only 112 all out as John Ricketts claimed four for 45 and Strong four for 36.

East Rainton also lead division two and they won for the fourth time defeating Wearmouth by nine wickets. The visitors battled through 34 overs for only 85 all out which included 31 from Barrella while for East Rainton Geoff College captured five wickets for a miserly 11 runs in seven overs.

East Rainton need only 16 overs to score the necessary 87 runs for the loss of one wicket. Iley opened with 29 and his partner Ian Lawrence carried his bat for 47 hitting seven boundaries.

Burnhope overtook the Whiteleas' total of 21 with five wickets in hand. The visitors lost a couple of early wickets but Morrison steadied the innings with an undefeated 41 and Coverley carried his bat for 27.

Batting first Whiteleas were all out for 121 of which Scott Baxter contributed 36 and Dave Cauwood 25. Freddie Gray topped the bowling charts with outstanding figures of seven for 39.

Washington reached 168 all out but still lost by eight wickets at Simonside.

Thompson and Bunker both hit unbeaten half-centuries for Simonside and earlier Raynor scored 58 and Bewick 42 in the Washington innings. Haynes, Thompson and Ross all took three wickets for Simonside.

Belmont managed 108 and lost by 80 runs at home to Hunwick. Ian Steel top scored with 40 for Belmont and in the Hunwick attack Johnson had the excellent figures of five for 27 and Morris returned four for 41.

Pat Welsh was another bowler among the wickets and he claimed six for 71 as Hunwick finished on 188 for six including 49 by Alderson and 35 from Nicholson.