Although five of the six games in the First Division started, they all ended prematurely and most play took place at Medomsley where Simonside were 131 for the loss of just two wickets when the weather finally intervened.

After losing the early wicket of Wold for 13, Thompson (34) and David Connelly, who carried his bat for 41, put the visitors into a good position and when stumps were finally drawn Thompson (32 not out) was in partnership with Connelly.

Belford House were 52-2 at home to East Rainton with Duncan Forrest undefeated on 37.

Roy Richardson and Ian Kitching each took one wicket for East Rainton.

There was little play at North Bitchburn where Littletown were 18 without loss and Washington were 28-1 in their home game with Plawsworth.

It was a similar picture in Division Two and most action took place at Tantobie. Washington batted 44.2 overs making 179 which included 61 by Neil Rayner with one six and seven boundaries.

Win Hogarth sent down 12 overs and took 6-49 for Tantobie who were eight without loss after three overs when the game had to be abandoned.

Coundon were 52-2 at Newton Aycliffe but after 20.3 overs the rain arrived with Bell and Thompson together at the wicket. Steve Davison took one wicket for eight runs in 2.3 overs and John Gledhill 1-18 from 10 overs in the Newton Aycliffe attack.

There was a programme in the First Division on Sunday and clubs had much better luck with the weather.

Coxhoe, visiting Belford House, went down by 59 runs when Steve Wright propelled the Wearsiders to 140 all out. Bloomfield took 6-47 and Strange 4-32 for Coxhoe who despite 32 from Whitfield were dismissed for 81.

Gordon Havelock returned 5-49 and Duncan Forrest 3-21 for Belford House.

Medomsley reached 122 with Brough making 39 while for Littletown, John Ricketts had figures of 5-47 and Vallance 3-51.

Littletown won by two wickets when Woollitt scored 31 and for Medomsley, Ernie Vickers took five wickets for 43 runs.

Plawsworth had two wickets to spare defeating East Rainton after Kevin Jones took 5-36.

Faced with a target of 128, Plawsworth were indebted to Mike Browbank (44) and Peter Harwood (49 not out).

Six of the eight wickets fell to Ian Kitching for 49 runs.

After reaching 158-9, Simonside lost by six wickets to Benwell Hill.

Thompson scored 89 for Simonside with Phil Haves taking 6-43 before Benwell Hill won losing four wickets when Pearson struck 55 and Bellwood 47.

Sunderland Hospitals had 22 runs in hand of Washington.

Bowers claimed 8-80 restricting Hospitals to 137 but although Thompson contributed 35, Washsington were all out for 115 with Shaw taking 7-48.