Roseberry Group North-East Durham League - Wearmouth strengthened their grip at the top of the table when they were the only side to complete their game at home to Benwell Hill.

The visitors were all out in 23.3 overs for 54 runs as Darren Cliff claimed five wickets for 30 runs in 11.3 overs and Steve Hale had four for 18 from 12 overs. Wearmouth, with one eye on the weather, romped to victory in 9.3 overs losing two wickets.

East Rainton stay second and their game at Coxhoe was abandoned at about the halfway stage. Batting first East Rainton totalled 176 before declaring after losing only four wickets. Colin Henderson top scored with an excellent innings of 88 and Derek Aylesbury carried his bat for 35. Coxhoe were six without loss when the weather intervened.

Simonside were 87 for three with David Connelly unbeaten on 24 and Thompson undefeated with 21 after Washington had posted 202 for seven. Rayner top scored with 34 and both Thompson and Birrell scored 30 while for Simonside Thompson was the most successful bowler with figures of three for 57.

Belford House were precariously placed in their home game with Littletown. When rain intervened Belford House were 54 for eight as Strong returned five for 17 and Ricketts three for 35.

Less play was possible at Medomsley who were 56 for three entertaining Sunderland Hospitals. When rain swept in the sides had no alternative but to abandon the match.

In division two Coundon had just one run to spare against Hunwick, a victory which enabled them to retain pole position.

Batting first Coundon ended with 128 all out with Morris taking seven for 43. Thompson top scored with 43 and Hardy added 33 to the Coundon total.

When they replied Hunwick made a bold attempt and Alderson, batting at number three, gave his side a chance of victory scoring 39. There were other useful contributions, notably from Johnson with 20, but when the overs expired Hunwick were 127 for eight. Hardy proved to be a match winner with the ball for Coundon claiming four wickets for 39 runs while Askew, Ramratan and Pearson were also among the wickets.

Newton Aycliffe stay second and they were in a good position at home to Burnhope when rain arrived. Batting first Burnhope were all out for a respectable 189 in 43.5 overs. Jack Mills top scored with 69 including nine boundaries, while for Newton Aycliffe Steve Davison, who was introduced late into the attack, returned the outstanding figures of five for 12 in 5.5 overs.

Glen Williams was in super form with the bat for Newton Aycliffe who reached 147 for two in only 20.4 overs. Williams, who is close to 1,000 runs for the season, hit one six and 12 boundaries carrying his bat for 87.

Belmont posted 126 for five defeating East Rainton by seven runs. Richardson top scored with 61 in the Belmont innings and for East Rainton Humphrey took three of the five wickets for 63 runs.

Responding East Rainton were given a good send off by Iley with 33 and Glendenning (22), but when the overs ran out they were 119 for six with Richardson taking three for 50 and Welsh two for 65 in the Belmont attack.

Tantobie defeated Kelloe by six wickets. Required to score 120 runs they were indebted to Bell who went in at number three and ended undefeated on 37.

When they made first use of the wicket Kelloe were all out for 119 as Cook returned four for 36 and Brown claimed three wickets for 31 runs.

Bass North

Cleveland League

Normanby Parklands extended their lead at the top of division one with a seven wickets victory at home to Loftus.

When the visitors batted first they struggled through 34.4 overs making 68 all out as Geoff Walker took four for 26 from 17.4 overs and Barnie Frewin had the excellent figures of six for 26 during his 17 overs spell. Both bowlers sent down seven maidens.

In reply Normanby Parklands lost three wickets all to Gary Smithies for 27 runs in nine overs, but they were never troubled and victory was secured following 22 overs as Mudassar Ayub carried his bat for 28 which included three boundaries.

Dormans are second and they saw off the challenge of Ormesby Hall by eight wickets. Ormesby Hall managed 133 all out of which Davies contributed 46 and for Dormans Dale had three for 45 and Ramzan took four for 34.

When they replied Dormans secured the necessary runs losing two wickets. Openers Grosvenor, who batted throughout for an unbeaten 54 and Norr (41) gave the team the best possible send off.

The match between Skelton Castle and The Ladle ended in a draw. Batting first the home side posted 177 for the loss of five wickets as runs flowed from Stainthorpe and Gratton, who both made 40, Wrigley (45) and Wilkinson (30).

Burdon took three of the five wickets to go down for 74 runs and in reply the Ladle finished on 128 for two. Kirby, who went in at number four, finished undefeated on 90 and opener Newman batted throughout the innings carried his bat for 30.

Hinderwell defeated Brotton by ten wickets after bowling out their opponents for 43 as Bowen claimed seven wickets for a meagre 17 runs. Sarsay (31no) and Benchley scored the necessary 44 runs without conceding a wicket.

New Marske went down by five wickets at home to Staithes. Batting first New Marske totalled 109 all out mainly due to a late contribution of 39 by Taggart. Brown was the most successful bowler in the visitors' attack with three for 43, but Raw, Bowes, Major and Theaker also claimed wickets.

Staithes lost early wickets when they went into bat but Ward steadied the innings and his 32, assisted by 30 extras, enabled the visitors to win with half their wickets left. Taggart and Lightwing both took two wickets in the New Marske attack.

Greatham Paragonians were all out for 82 and more than half the runs were scored by Allison with 45. Hadfield returned splendid figures of five for 24 and Dawson took four for 25 for Middlesbrough Co-op who conceded five wickets before reaching their modest target. Both Spence and Whittle scored 21 in the Co-op innings.

Little play was possible when Cowpen Bewley entertained Ormesby Hall B and the home side were 23 for one when the match had to be abandoned because of rain.

Norton continue to lead division two although they had to settle for a draw in their game with Moorsholm. Batting first Moorsholm realised 176 for five with Lowe making an unbeaten 51 and Dawson 35 while for Norton Chapman took four of the five wickets to go down for 81 runs.

Responding Norton did not find it easy and when time was up they had made just 97 for the loss of five wickets. They were indebted to opening batsman Hirst who ended undefeated with a valuable 40.

Dormanstown lost by three wickets visiting Loftus where they totalled 138 for seven which included 51 by Johnson. Hogan had a good day with the ball for Loftus capturing three wickets for 36 runs and both Shaw and Morrison took two wickets each.

In reply Loftus edged to victory with three wickets left. Athley opened the innings and scored 34 and his partner Gullen added 29 before Codling weighed in with a valuable 36 towards the end. Lloyd had a good day with the ball for Dormanstown returning figures of five for 75 in 21 overs.

Boosbeck ended with 153 for eight before declaring and then dismissed Skelton Castle for 57. Lorraines (26) and Baines with an unbeaten 24, set the scene for the Boosbeck total and near the end of the innings Oakley added a valuable 28 while for Skelton Castle Heslop claimed half the wickets for 59. Both McCabe and Hill claimed two wickets apiece.

When Skelton Castle replied they were all out for 57 as Lorraines completed a good day taking five wickets for ten runs and Richardson was also on form with four for 23. No play was possible in the fixture between Gillens and Cowpen Bewley A.