Bilal Rana, who in recent years has been one of the most successful professionals in the North East, swept his new club Lanchester to a morale-boosting nine-wickets victory against Swalwell.

The spinner claimed seven wickets for only 34 runs in 19.3 overs which together with a 3-41 performance from seasonal debutant Tony Halliday sent Swalwell back to the pavilion with just 80 runs on the board.

Kevin Dixon (36 not out) and Andrew Donnelly (24 not out) then led Lanchester home in just 22 overs.

After losing their first game, champions Ashington have won the last two.

Burnopfield were their latest victims and Surjit Singh was another bowler in top form, returning 6-37.

James Harmison's unbeaten 51 was important for the Collierymen.

Newly-promoted Benwell and Walbottle found Donald Brown (6-44) and Aldo van den Berg (4-28) too hot to handle and they managed just 71 at Annfield Plain.

Not that the home side's innings was particularly inspiring and Graeme Angus, who took 5-28 and Naz Rashid, with 4-47 restricted them to just 121.

Former Norton professional Stephen Ball produced his best performance to date for his new club Sacriston. He claimed seven wickets for a meagre 17 runs in a big win over Ryton. Paul Burn (44), Phil Shield (46) and Harry Hubber with 31 all hit form in the Sacriston innings.

Richard Darling, Paul Pickworth and Pesarra all struck half centuries as Tynemouth strolled to a 100-runs win at Consett.

For good measure, Darling picked up four wickets for only nine runs and professional Ian Engelbrecht also impressed with 5-39.

A total of 37 extras was crucial when Lintz edged Shotley Bridge by two wickets.

John Collingwood and Lee Murray both took four wickets for the Bridge whose top performer with the bat was Peter Collingwood (46).

In Division Two, Robin Moor took five wickets for the third successive game in his team's easy win at Newcastle City where new professional Ray Marshall batted well for 62.

Another newly-installed pro, Jonathan Benn captured three wickets before hitting an unbeaten 69, with 13 fours, in Percy Main's nine-wicket defeat of Morpeth.

Greenside crashed to 44 all out at Alnwick. Mark Roxburgh returned 5-15 from 12 overs and Jon Young 4-24 in 16.1 overs.

Leadgate look a good bet for promotion in their first season in the league.

Richard Hawthorne, Sean Ackermann, Stuart Graham and Gary Innes all passed 50 when a total of just short of 300 was posted.

In contrast, Seaton Burn were all out for 80 with Ackermann adding to his batting performance by taking four cheap wickets