Commanding win for Loftus

produced a good performance defeating Staithes by nine wickets.

When Staithes batted first they were all out for 89 as Jeff Morrison took four for 50 from 18 overs including four maidens and Gary Smithies had excellent figures of five for 23 in 16 overs, seven of which were maidens.

In response lost one wicket and needed 27.2 overs to accumulate the necessary runs. Martin Pearson with an unbeaten 31 which included five boundaries and one six, formed an opening partnership of 42 with David Sanderson (21). Pearson and Ian Dixon (26no) then put on 51 for the second wicket which was unbroken.

Hinderwell had no fewer than 158 runs to spare when they hosted Norton who were back in the pavilion for 40 runs. Theaker claimed five wickets for 20 runs and Swain took four for 12 with Powell capturing the other wicket.

In contrast, the runs flowed when Hinderwell batted first and a total of 198 for three was reached before the declaration was applied.

After losing Marsay early Hinderwell recovered through Lyth (53) and Spenceley with an unbeaten 70 before Swain contributed 40.

Pacitto batted throughout the Merlin innings reaching 103 not out as his side posted 181 for six. His opening partner Sutherland gave good support in the early stages scoring 29 but the innings was completely dominated by Pacitto.

Although Coates, introduced as fourth change, claimed five of the six wickets to fall for 57 runs.

Responding Skelton Castle were restricted to 122 for six and gained a share of the points. Gratten opened the innings scoring 25 and his partner Wilkinson top scored with 40. Wrigley added 21 and Pigg 22 and for the Merlin Brown captured three wickets for 55 runs and Mullen two for 35.

Boosbeck were all out for 83 and lost by seven wickets to Dormans. Ramzan picked up five wickets for 44 runs and Noor four for 33 before opening batsman Patton batted throughout Dormans inning scoring an unbeaten 40 out of his side's total of 87 for three.

Greatham Paragonians drew their game with Ormesby Hall after scoring 135 and declaring for the loss of five wickets. Burton, who opened the innings, scored 62 before being run out and Skilbeck carried his bat for 35.

Peacock took three for 52 for Ormesby Hall who were 108 for eight at stumps which included a top scoring 23 by Leach.

In division two three of the five games went ahead and Ormesby Hall won at Moorsholm by seven wickets. Batting first the home side were all out for 34 as Tony Roberts returned seven for 28 in 17 overs including four maidens.

Responding Ormesby Hall needed 24 overs and conceded three wickets before reaching the winning Margin. Michael Matthewman who opened the innings was still there at the end undefeated on 38 after hitting one six and five boundaries. He formed a productive second wicket partnership with Ian Burns whose 32 had a couple of sixes and three fours while for Moorsholm Neil Allison captured three wickets for 26 runs in 12 overs.

Normanby Parklands and Dormanstown drew their game. Required to score 181 Dormanstown were 111 for seven when time was scored. Most of their runs came from Robson (26) and Dowson who was unbeaten on 22 and for Normanby Parklands Plunkett captured three for 19 and Reader three for 35.

When they made first use of the wicket Normanby Parklands reached the respectiable total of 180 for eight which included 61 by Lynn batting at No 3. Mudassar added 44 and for Dormanstown Lloyd was by far the most productive bowler with six for 36.

Brotton had no fewer than 69 runs in hand of Loftus who they bowled out for 45. Whitwell had the excellent figures of six for 26 and Broughton returned four for 17.

When Brotton were first to use the wicket they ended with 114 all out which included a top scoring 31 by Ridley. Broughton contributed 26 in mid order and Shaw produced with the ball for Loftus taking seven for 54.

Langbaurgh League

Othree of the six games were played and Swainby celebrated with the biggest win of the day when they defeated Ingleby Greenhow by ten wickets.

The visitors were all out in 36 overs for 113 which included a top scoring 49 with four boundaries from opening batsman Paul Flintoft. Staples, who went in at No 3, contributed 22, but few of the other batsmen struck form as Alan Clemmitt proved unstoppable. He captured six wickets for 47 runs in 18 overs and clean bowled five of his victims. Glen Shimwell gave excellent support with four for 41.

Swainby soon reached their target from 14 overs without conceding a wicket. Andre Kerr hammered three sixes and 11 boundaries in an unbeaten 78 and his opening partner James Dennis, the more patient of the two, was 36 not out when the winning run was secured. He hit one six and two fours.

Scruton lost one wicket overtaking Great Broughton's score of 148 for nine. Opening batsman Barker was still there undefeated with 80 and Firth carried his bat for 59 as the pair produced an unbroken second wicket partnership worth almost 150 runs.

When they batted first Great Broughton's early batsmen Cook, Lewis and Robinson contributed 51 runs between them, but it was Bladen (34) and Robinson (30) which gave the innings momentum. Barrett bowled a good end for Scruton taking five wickets for 53 runs and Rands had four for 39.

In the only other game played East Harlsey finished seven wickets winners over Chopgate who they restricted to 94 for eight. Opening batsman Holmes top performed with 25, but generally the batsmen were well contained by Grange whose six wickets cost him 29 runs.

When they responded East Harlsey were well served by Mason (25), Mackerall (26) and Hunter who carried his bat for 26.

Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League Under-15s

Sacriston had little difficulty defeating Annfield Plain at the end of a low scoring game. Mark Fort sent down two overs but claimed three wickets for only three runs as Annfield Plain were restricted to 48 for five. Chris Tilley then hit six boundaries in an unbeaten 31 as Sacriston replied with 49 for two.

Chris Warwick with three for 15 from a five overs spell sent Greenside crashing to 38 all out at Swalwell who won without losing a wicket. George Neaven hit three boundaries scoring an unbeaten 27 out of the Swalwell reply of 40 for none.

Blaydon had three wickets to spare overtaking the Ryton total of 70 for four which included 21 from Docherty, while for Blaydon Andrew Miller top performed with the ball picking up two wickets for 17 runs in five overs.

Lanchester produced the biggest score of the night when they posted 162 for one wicket at Consett. Greg Halliday was in magnificent form making 91 and Kevin Dixon gave admirable support as he carried his bat for 54. Responding Consett totalled 52 for the loss of five wickets.

Crookhall too were also in scoring mode at Chopwell where they reached 123 for nine. Stewart top scored with 32 and for Chopwell Graham Bell had three for 18 in five overs. When Stewart also scored with the bat, Chopwell were all out for 61 as the youngster captured four wickets for 15 runs.

Premier Sports Durham Coast League Under-15s

Karl Bellerby and Stephen Gale both scored centuries. Bellerby ended with an unbeaten 101, including nine fours and four sixes when his side Boldon CA posted 160 for six at home to Bill Quay. It was Bellerby's second century and equalled a similar score of 101 not out he made against Hylton two years ago.

Farrell claimed two for 22 in four overs for Bill Quay who when they replied were restricted to 86 for seven mainly by the bowling of Sam Wraith who in four overs returned four for 21.

Gale did even better than Bellerby in the scoring stakes and he finished with 11 out of the Dawdon total of 168 for four in th e local derby with Seaham Park. Replying, Seaham managed only 70 for six as man of the match Gale took two of the wickets for only three runs.

Houghton had nine wickets to spare when they entertained Peterlee after dismissing their opponents for just 72. Andrew Laidler top scored with 36 and Michael Buckingham carried his bat for 20 for Peterlee and responding, Houghton romped home as Tim Bowman finished undefeated on 37 and Karl White added 28